Collegedale Academy tennis player Michael ChungLeading 2-1 in matches in its Class A/AA sectional matchup Friday at Chattanooga Christian, the Collegedale Academy boys' tennis team still needed two wins to claim its first Spring Fling berth.
It was fitting that the players who got those wins were the cornerstones of the program's rise to success.
Senior captains Michael Chung and Boston Londis claimed straight-set victories, the latter's 6-0, 6-2 victory at No. 3 singles being the clincher, and the Eagles defeated the Chargers 4-1.
When the Eagles (16-3) play in next week's state semifinals at Old Fort, it will be the first time any Collegedale team has participated in a state tournament. The cross country program has qualified on numerous occasions but has been unable to run in the state meet because it always is on a Saturday and the Seventh-day Adventist school does not participate in Saturday events.
Londis and Chung won at No. 2 doubles in addition to their singles victories. Austin Lee won at No. 5 singles.
"It's an honor for us to be going our senior year," Chung said. "We were fortunate for all the players that have come to the team this year, getting a Czech Republic [exchange student] and a freshman to help us.
"We couldn't have done it without them on the team."
That exchange student, Mike Sintak, played No. 1 singles and had dropped the first set to CCS's Stewart Fellers when the team match ended. Freshman Conner O'Brien had taken the first set off Ian Cooper at that time.
The Chargers (12-2) won the District 7 and Region 4-A/AA titles but lost two players to injury and another for discipline. Those three played spots 2-4 in the lineup.
Their lone victory Friday came from Cooper and Tim Payne at No. 1 doubles.
"I thought the kids played well," CCS coach Renato Mizutano said. "They worked hard all week, and most had to step up.
"It was a whole different team from the beginning of the year, but it was a great experience."