Darlington will play for their second consecutive boys tennis state championship thanks to a 3-0 win Saturday over Athens Academy in the Classes 1A Division I-3A Private semifinals.
The Tigers, undefeated this season, will play either Greater Atlanta Christian or Wesleyan in the finals. Last season, Darlington won the Class 1A Division I title for the school’s first boys tennis championship since 1996. Darlington will host the championship match.
“We’re excited to get to host and are hoping to win it in front of our home fans,” Darlington coach Betina Fuentes said. “Whoever we face out of (GACS or Wesleyan), we know they’re going to be really tough so we need to have some good days of practice and training.”
Darlington quickly got on the front foot Saturday with John Courtnay’s second-line singles match.
The Tigers pushed their advantage to 2-0 when the pair of Felipe Selle and Davis Carney won their match in straight sets. That set up third-line singles player Randy Kim to win the ordeal with his match win.
“Our boys really want it bad again this year, and they have shown that all season,” Fuentes said. “They have so much heart and are really cheering for each other and trying to pump each other up.”
Saturday’s match came a day after the GHSA rescheduled and relocated the tennis semifinals and finals for all classifications. Each class’ final four and championships were originally scheduled for Saturday at the Rome Tennis Center; anticipated weather forced a pivot. The GHSA announced the semifinals and finals would be hosted by higher seeds instead of at a neutral site. It also provided teams with alternative dates for the matches.
Darlington and Athens Academy held their originally scheduled day, but moved to the RTC’s indoor courts.
The championship match, which Darlington will host regardless of opponent, has yet to be scheduled.
This article was originally published in the Rome News-Tribune on May 12, 2025.
Photo by Rachel Morton, Rome News-Tribune
