Both the boys and girls tennis teams defeated Lovett in the GHSA Class AA Tennis State Championship on May 14 at Berry College’s Rome Tennis Center. It was the third consecutive season in which the Knights faced their rivals in the state-championship match. The girls have won all three contests; the boys have won twice.  

The girls took the courts first, and the Knights were quick to establish themselves as the stronger team throughout the singles lineup. Freshman Claire Jiang put Pace up 1-0 with a straight-sets win at No. 3 singles. Junior Caitlyn Pinsker then made it 2-0 with a convincing win at No. 1 singles. Shortly thereafter, freshman Caileigh Pinsker clinched the championship by pulling away in the second set at No. 2 singles. When the match was stopped, both doubles teams were tied at one set a piece. The No. 1 doubles team of seniors Kate Jonas and Hannah Genser had just split sets, and the No. 2 doubles team of junior Brooke Brumfield and sophomore Sarah Proctor were tied at 1-1 in the third set. 

In the afternoon match, the boys did not have the fast start that the girls found. Our No. 2 doubles team of senior Jude Black and junior Hunt Stevens played well, but their opponents played better to put Lovett ahead. Then, while battling an injured back, freshman Harrison Silver showed a lot of grit against a very tough No. 1 singles player. Unfortunately, that win from Lovett put the Knights in a 0-2 hole. The team was also down in the first set at both No. 2 and No. 3 singles; things were looking bleak. The Knights were not going to be denied, though. The No. 1 doubles team of senior Cole Kaplan and sophomore William McMullan turned the momentum by picking up the team’s first point. Then, freshman Matthew Hall came back to take the first set at No. 2 singles. With momentum building, sophomore Noah Benz did the same at No. 3 singles. Hall then showed he was the better player by pulling away in the second set to tie the score at 2-2. Finally, Benz completed the comeback with a 6-0 second set to secure the state title for the Knights!

Thanks to all the parents, teachers, and fans that made the trip to support these players! It was a great day to be a Knight!