Vikings bow out in Elite 8 tennis match
From STAFF REPORTSsports@newnan.com
One thing was certain in the Class AAAA state boys tennis tournament heading into Friday's match between Northgate and Starr's Mill at the Peachtree City Tennis Center; A team from Region 3-AAAA was headed to next week's Final Four.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, their impressive playoff run ended short of that goal.
"We had a very good year," said Northgate head coach Justin Crews, who said he wouldn't be surprised to see Starr's Mill advance to the state finals. "They play Johns Creek and their coach said that was going to be a tough match for them. But I could see them making it. They're a very good team."
Despite losing in the final match of his varsity career, Viking senior No. 1 singles player Jordan Chastain extended his opponent the full three sets in a match that lasted over two hours. After splitting the first two, 2-6 and 7-5, Chastain fell in a 10-point tiebreaker 10-6 to decide the match.
Northgate loses both Chastain and Jaicob Stewart, who got a start at No. 2 doubles on Friday, to graduation this year, but will return the bulk of this year's 12-5 lineup.
Freshman Domonic Gonzalez and sophomore Hayden Victer played at No. 2 and No. 3 singles for Northgate against Starr's Mill, which picked up respective 6-0, 6-0 and 6-1, 6-2 decisions.
Juniors Derek Kinsch and Cole Stephens played at No. 1 doubles while Stewart stepped in for CJ Evans to pair up with freshman Cole Chenowith at the No. 2 position.
The Vikings advanced past Lovejoy (3-1) and Lakeside-Evans (5-0), both on the road as the No. 4 seed in Region 3-AAAA, to open the state playoffs.
