Webb dynasty is alive; BHS 1st
MURFREESBORO — Webb School of Knoxville’s tennis teams made their annual visits to Spring Fling last weeks and both the Spartans and Lady Spartans brought home multiple state titles — as usual.
The Lady Spartans won their ninth consecutive Division II-A team state championship Wednesday, May 23, when they notched a 4-0 victory over Chattanooga Christian at Old Fort Park’s Adams Tennis Complex.
Webb got victories from Lauren Yoon, Carina Dagotto, Anna Wisniewsksi and Aubrey Yoon. The Lady Spartans’ Caroline Ross had a commanding lead in her match when the title was clinched.
The Webb boys also won the Division II-A state crown when they downed University School of Nashville 4-0. It was the program’s seventh state championship in nine years.
Harrison Williams, Ben Aikens, Ben Pearce and Anthony Romano all notched wins in the championship tilt.
Webb also posted championship finishes in singles and doubles tournaments late last week.
Lauren Yoon won Division II-A Singles championship Friday, May 25, when she cruised past St George’s Hannah Grace Howell 6-1, 6-1 to claim her second consecutive individual title.
The Lady Spartans were assured of a doubles title Friday when Wisniewski and Dagotto outlasted teammates Aubrey Yoon and Lili Roth 6-2, 6-2 in the championship.
In boys singles, Williams posted a runner-up finish as he lost to Christ Presbyterian Academy’s Nathan Irwin 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) in the state title match.
In doubles, Webb’s tandem of Pearce and Ohm Sharma reached the finals. They lost the championship match to St. George’s John Kimball and Walker Stearns 6-4, 7-6 (4).
“We’re starting again (right after state tournament) and that’s their choice,” Webb coach Jimmy Pitkanen said. “These players are special. They really got after it and they had a great team spirit.
“They competed and they rooted for each other. These players really love each other. All these (championship) teams are special. The thing about winning is that it extends your season and it gives you the chance to spend more time together. These players are fun to be around.”
In the Division I Large Schools Girls championships, Bearden’s Julia Adams won the state singles crown after knocking off Brentwood’s Hamsa Javagal 6-1, 6-1.
Adams made the state championships four times, including doubles, in her illustrious career.
“She will go down as the best female player at Bearden,” said Bulldogs head coach Tyler Lane, who resigned after the state championships. “She’s our only girl to go to state four times. ... She worked really hard for it and she did a good job controlling points as an offensive player.”
In boys doubles, the Bulldogs picked up a state title as Grayson Marlow and James Eaves beat Ravenwood’s Cliff Herring and Pranov Saravanan, 6-2, 6-3.
Bearden’s boys also made the team championship match for the first time in 16 years.
The Bulldogs were state runner-up after losing to Ravenwood 4-1. Bearden beat Murfreesboro Central 4-1 in the semifinals.
About the boys team, Lane said, “We had a special year.”
