SAVANNAH, Ga. — Lumpkin County was just a handful of points from its first-ever state title match.
However, the Indians dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 match to Savannah Country Day on Saturday in the Class 3A semifinals.
It came down to No. 3 singles where Bricen Popko lost a close 7-6, 7-5 decision.
Lumpkin County fell down 2-0 when Braden Garrett and Axel Tillery lost straight-set matches at Nos. 1 and 2 singles. But the Indians rallied to tie the match sweeping the doubles.
Will Bicknell and Jack Lowry won 6-2, 7-5 at No. 1 and Will McKinney and Jack McKinney held on at No. 2 doubles for a 6-3, 0-6, 7-5 victory.
That set up the final match at No. 3 singles to decide it. It was a back-and-forth match where Popko, a sophomore, battled back but could not get to a third set.
The Indians' Final 4 finish capped the best season in program history. They had never gotten out of the first round in the playoffs until 2023.
