Thursday March 28th, 2024 9:19AM

Tennis: Flowery Branch rides wave of excitement into historic semifinals

FLOWERY BRANCH — Stacey Smallwood knew something special was brewing for the Flowery Branch boys tennis team this season -- even if she did not enjoy one of the aspects it wrought.

"We had 23 kids come out for the tennis program this season, which is incredible. Most programs are lucky to have a full varsity and junior varsity team," Smallwood said. "But that also meant I had to make cuts, and that was heart-wrenching because I don't want to cut anybody and have that discourage them from playing the sport."

The competition for places meant that the applicants who made the varsity team were talented, serious tennis players, however. And that factor has paid off with history, as the Flowery Branch boys this week claimed their first ever state semifinal berth.

"I can't describe the heart these guys have for tennis," Smallwood said. "And the community we have within this team has helped us tremendously."

Just like their counterparts, the Lady Falcons are playing with confidence and depth -- so much so that the Branch girls will make their first ever state semifinal appearance at 4 p.m. today at Kell with freshmen holding down three of the seven starting roles.

"We're excited and focused," Lady Falcons coach Ginger Jackson said. "My goal has always been to make people say, 'Oh, we're playing Flowery Branch girls today, uh oh.' And we're definitely getting there."

Two seniors -- No. 2 singles Olivia Correa and No. 1 doubles player Brenna Martin -- have combined with junior Annabelle Thomas (No. 1 singles) and Olivia Nance (No. 3 singles) -- to help provide a veteran backbone for a team that had reached the quarterfinal round in two of the last three seasons only to fall short.

"The last really good team we had like this met the eventual state champs in the quarterfinals and couldn't get through, but we're playing with confidence right now," Jackson said. "I thought that everything we accomplished after getting this far would be a bonus, but now that we're here I want to win, and the girls definitely want to win."

To do that on Friday, the Lady Falcons will need their best performance of the playoffs by far.

"Everybody has to hit (Friday); I told them, 'you're going to play you in a little bit,' " Jackson said in reference to a Lady Longhorns squad that also features plenty of talent and will push the Lady Falcons much harder than the previous three playoff foes that could not win a team point. "It's going to take a little patience, and they need to know if they make a bad shot to regroup and think of the next ball. They need to realize they're going to lose some games."

That also goes for the Branch's freshman trio -- No. 2 doubles team Alicia and Kendalle Quast, as well as half of the No. 1 doubles team in Alyssa McSpadden.

"A lot of my kids are from tennis families and know how to handle it," Jackson said. "And this success shows how much tennis has grown in south Hall."

The Flowery Branch boys are also a prime example of that growth, as No. 1 and 2 singles players Drayton Matus and Nathan Holley are both veteran  tournament-level players who have opted to compete at the high school level.

"I have a lot of players that tennis is their sport; they're not just athletes who play tennis and other sports," said Smallwood, who graduated just one starter from last season's squad. "They leave the high school and go to their pros and academies and tournaments, and that's where they really get better as players."

Semifinal foe McIntosh is very much in the same mold.

"It's going to be a very good match; I think my No. 1 and 2 singles are going to have to play very hard, but I think that if they do, and if the other lines can keep their composure, that we have a great shot," Smallwood said. 

The Falcons will be boosted by returning to full strength at the right time. Due to illness and absence, Smallwood had to juggle her lines for the first three rounds of the playoffs, meaning that No. 3 singles Jack Thomas (a freshman) and doubles teams Brody Millwood/John Hollis (No. 1) and Gunnar Hetzel/Brady McVey (No. 2) will be right back in their accustomed positions.

"We haven't been able to do that since the region (8-5A) championship match," Smallwood said. "These guys are playing for each other right now, and they've earned this."

The Falcons are scheduled to play McIntosh at 5 p.m. -- though that may be postponed to Tuesday due to a large weekend tournament at McIntosh's home facility.

"As well as we've played, I really think we can play better -- and I hope that starts next week," Smallwood said. 

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