Tennis warms up for playoffs

Jeff Davis High School traveled to Valdosta March 25.
Jeff Davis boys defeated the Wildcats with a close 3-2 score. Jeff Davis ladies defeated the Wildcats with a 5-0 score. Coach Mary Katherine Brown applauded the play of juniors Caidon Diaz and Chandler Henry at this match.
“Caidon plays very consistent tennis, and he has a ton of hustle in him,” said Coach Brown. “Chandler plays very smart doubles, and he has really stepped it up a notch against higher level competition. ”
The Yellow Jacket Netters were also on the road against West Laurens March 26. The Yellow Jacket Boys again came home with a close win with a 3-2 scoreboard. The Yellow Jacket girls defeated West Laurens 4-1. Coach Brown was super impressed with junior Ava Coleman.
“She has really grown into a very strong opponent, and she sets up her partner as well as executes points beautifully,” said Coach Brown.
The following week, the Yellow Jackets headed to Brooklet to play Southeast Bulloch. JDH boys defeated SEB with a 5-0 sweep for the second time this season. JDH girls had not previously played AAA’s #1 post-season ranked (per GHSA) SEB at the Statesboro tournament. JDH girls did get to catch a glimpse of SEB at the Statesboro tournament, and they knew they would have a tough match ahead of them. The girls lost a heartbreaker 2-3 against Southeast.
Coach Brown gave a shoutout to Cori Mims stating, “She has really stepped up to the challenge of the number one singles spot this season. She works hard, and I couldn’t be more proud of her during this match. She tried different things to figure out what worked against her opponent. Tennis is all about making adjustments.”
The Yellow Jackets played Appling County April 10 at home. Jeff Davis boys played close matches but lost 1-4. Jeff Davis ladies played an even closer match and lost a heartbreaker 2-3 versus the Lady Pirates.
Coach Brown bragged on the play of Ryleigh King and Caidon Diaz during the Appling matches. “Ryleigh gives 100% in her matches and she will hustle for as long as it takes to win,” Coach Brown said. “Caidon is a super coachable kid. He has no quit, and he just out-runs a lot of his opponents.”
On April 15 the Yellow Jacket boys will head to the region championship at McKey Park in Valdosta. They are currently seeded 2nd, behind Brantley County. The Yellow Jacket guys will play No. 3 seed Bacon County for the first match. On April 16, JDH girls will head to McKey park in Valdosta for the girls region championship. JDH girls are also seeded 2nd in the region behind Brantley County. The ladies will play No. 3 seed Berrien for their first match.
Boys GHSA Post Season Rankings A Division I:
1. Darlington 12-0
2. Wesleyan 16-0
3. Brantley County 19-2
4. Armuchee 11-0
5. Atlanta International 9-1
6. Savannah Country Day 16-4
7. Model 11-2
8. Bleckley County 17-3
9. Athens Academy 10-4
10. Bremen 12-5
11. Jeff Davis 13-7

Girls GHSA Post Season Rankings A Division I:
1. Walker 14-0
2. Atlanta International 8-2
3. Brantley County 15-5
4. Wesleyan 13-4
5. Savannah Country Day 16-4
6. Darlington 9-3
7. Bremen 14-4
8. Jeff Davis 14-6
9. Model 12-3
10. Armuchee 11-2