Tuesday night the Bearcats and Lady Bearcats played in the first round of the state tournament and dominated; both winning 4-1.

Number one singles player, Mark Loeffler started off with a bang. He had a double bagel win of 6-0, 6-0. Robert Shockley followed up with a double bagel win of his own against his opponent.

Dalton Savage played a tough game and lost 3-6, 2-6. With the Bearcats still in the lead, doubles team, Hudson Barber and Cole Buchanan took to the courts.

Barber and Buchanan didn’t let their opponents score a single point, winning 6-0, 6-0.

Number two doubles team, Lawson Humphrey and Jacob Reynolds were up next and sealed the win for the Bearcats with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

The Lady Bearcats were up next, determined to do just as well.

Sydnee Burke took the courts first and came out victorious with a score of 6-2, 6-1. Mikey Harrell followed up Burke’s win with a double bagel 6-0, 6-0. Gracie Surratt finished singles play with a final win of 6-3, 6-2.

Number one doubles team, Bree Powell and Jade Stacey came out swinging against their opponents and won by a landslide of 6-0, 6-1. Doubles team, Megan Meszaros and Sarah Caroline Darley had a nail biter of a game and came up just short in the end. The final score was 5-7, 6-1, 1-0.

Both teams were thrilled with their win and will move on to the sweet sixteen. The Bearcats will play region three’s McIntosh on Wednesday at 2 p.m. and the Lady Bearcats will play region four’s Jones County.

The state championship will be held on May 12, 2018 at the Rome Tennis Center.