FLOWERY BRANCH -- Despite finishing third in Region 8B-AAA during the regular season, defending region champion Gainesville showed Thursday it is not ready to relinquish its tennis crown just yet.
The Elephants opened the morning session with a 3-0 win over Franklin County and then knocked off 8A-AAA No. 2 seed Chestatee 3-0 in quick fashion in the quarterfinal round at the Bobby Bailey Tennis Center.
The win moved the Red Elephants into the Class AAA state tournament and Gainesville coach Barrett Lingenfelter said they can now move their attention to top-seeded Oconee County in the semifinals on Friday. The Warriors beat Gainesville twice this season (3-2 and 4-1).
"We won both doubles in the first match but they are a talented team and we will need to focus on all five matches (Friday)," Lingenfleter said. "I don't think it will be finding a win in a certain spot. All seven of our guys know they will need to focus on winning their match. If we can get the kind of focus we got today we can beat them. Our goal is to repeat as champions."
Gainesville will be joined at state by Oconee County, last year's region runner-up, Stephens County, and West Hall.
Oconee County whipped White County 3-0, Stephens County knocked off Lanier 3-1, and West Hall beat Lumpkin County 3-0 to advance to the state tournament, which begins next week.
Stephens County and West Hall will meet in the other semifinal. Spartans coach John McFall said they are looking for that homecourt advantage in the first round.
"It would be huge for us to get into the finals so that we could get that first match at home," McFall said. "I expect it to be a close match with Stephens. They have some good singles players."
West Hall last advanced to the finals in 2010 and last won the region title in 2007 while a member of Region 7-AAA.
Stephens County swept the singles against Lanier with the Longhorns winning at No. 2 doubles.
Tuesday
February 4th, 2025
11:54AM
