Chargers Tennis compete at State Meet

This season marks the first time that both the Shorecrest Chargers Varsity Tennis boys and girls teams won Regionals and advanced as teams to the State Championship Series! It is very difficult to advance to States as a team. Single players and doubles teams have advanced in recent years, but not teams -- and not both teams in the same year! (The girls won the District tournament the last 3 years in a row and the boys have been runners up. This year the girls and boys won the district tournament which gave them an automatic berth to host the regional semifinal competition.)  

 

The State Championship series is a gathering of the best teams in high school tennis in class 1A through class 4A, the smallest to the largest schools in the state of Florida.  After getting through tough Regional finals matches (girls against Tampa Prep and boys against Berkeley), the teams qualified for the State Quarterfinal rounds, among the 16 best teams in the state. The girls ultimately lost to Community School of Naples and the boys lost to Out of Door Academy.  

 

Coaches Davis and Del Zoppo said, "We are extremely proud of the effort put forth by our girls and boys teams during this season. We now have students training year round and competing in tournaments in a sport they love and can play for life! Everyone understands the commitment and hard work it takes to play competitive high school tennis at a high level in Florida. Anyone interested in playing competitive tennis for the JV or Varsity tennis teams, should be prepared to train year round and compete in tournaments." 

Coach Davis enthusiastically added, "Without the support and resources from the Athletic Director, including growing the program to now have a head coach for each of our four teams and an excellent partnership with the Racquet Club of Saint Petersburg, our home practice and match courts, we would not be where we are today. Our team parents are such a big part of our success and we want to thank them for their unwavering support of our mission. We will continue the path we are on for academic and athletic excellence, good sportsmanship, and helping young people become the best citizens they are capable of becoming as they move on to college and beyond!"