The march feels a little inevitable at times for Western Albemarle boys tennis, but one can’t help marvel at the dominance.
Western just doesn’t lose focus, doesn’t slow down — they just execute every single point, every single game, every single match.
The Warriors’ latest victim was Hidden Valley Tuesday in the Class 3 state semifinals and Western rolled 5-0, earning a third-straight trip to the state championship match and a chance at a three-peat for the Warriors who have won five of the program’s seven total state titles in the last 10 years.
Tuesday was more of the same dominance for the Warriors who have rarely given up a match point in team competition this season, particularly with their preferred lineup in the mix. Gavin Segraves rolled 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 and Alex Ix won 6-0, 6-2 at No. 2 while freshman Tobin Yates subbed in for Jack Tribble and won 6-2, 6-1 at No. 3. Jake Selverstone won 6-1, 6-5 at No. 4 singles.
Another freshman at No. 5 singles, Damien Heller-Chen didn’t get a chance to finish at No. 5 singles because the team’s elder statesman, four-year starter Simon Rader, won 6-2, 6-1 at No. 6 to close out the match and complete the sweep.
Western will square off with James Monroe in the state title match Saturday in Salem at 9 a.m.
Western 5, Hidden Valley 0
Singles
- Gavin Segraves (WA) def. Ravi Jayaraman 6-0, 6-0
- Alex Ix (WA) def. Gavin Pyle 6-0, 6-2
- Tobin Yates (WA) def. Jacob Nichols 6-2, 6-1
- Jake Selverstone (WA) def. Jake Facciani 6-1, 6-3
- Damien Heller-Chen (WA) versus Zack Facciani DNF
- Simon Rader (WA) def. Brendan Finucane 6-2, 6-1
