FDA tennis ends year

Fort Dale Academy tennis competed in the AISA state tournament April 6-7 at Montgomery’s Lagoon Park. Both boys and girls teams had a great showing, with three girls making it to the finals.

In boys singles, second seed Jase Butts, fourth seed Sawyer Brooks, and fifth seed Logan Skipper all had first-round wins against Eastwood but all fell in the semifinals to Evangel, who ultimately took home the boy’s state title.

In girls doubles, the first seed team of Charlotte Kate Anderson and Faith Baker lost in the semis to Evangel following a first round victory over Eastwood.

In girls singles, second-seeded Baker had a first-round win against Monroe and a semifinal win over Evangel.

Sarah Allen Meadows had first round and semifinal wins over Eastwood and Tuscaloosa. Fifth-seeded Ann Knox McLendon had a first-round bye and beat Eastwood in the semis.

All three ladies lost in the finals to Morgan Academy, who went on to claim the state title.

Coach Jennie Hamilton was very pleased with her teams’ showing at state, saying, “I couldn’t be more proud of these players. Having three girls make it to the finals was very exciting, and it put our team in a competitive position for the title. This has been a great group to work with, and the six seniors we are losing will be sorely missed.”

Senior members graduating from the team include Charlotte Anderson, Emily Aeschliman, Sam Judah McClendon, Miles Raulerson, Sawyer Brooks, and Logan Skipper. Hamilton added, “The girls’ team has plenty of depth, but we will need to add to the boys’ team to fill our roster next season. It will be a whole new ball game as we join the AHSAA, but we will be ready and are already looking forward.”