Junior tennis athletes across the state are gearing up for the 2024 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Tennis State Championships. The stage is finally set, and the action begins on Monday, April 29, and runs through Friday May 3.
Throughout the year, teams and individuals have been battling an intense schedule with their eyes set on raising the State Championship trophy. With the bracket out, we now know what to look forward to in each classification and which teams to keep an eye on.
Storylines in 4A
Once again, the Sunshine State has some of the top competition in the county and there are plenty of teams looking to make a mark. On the Boys’ side of the draw, Lake Nona looks to cap an undefeated season and their second title in just three years. Other schools, Newsome and George Jenkins are also looking to complete undefeated seasons. These two schools will face off in the State Quarterfinals, a highly anticipated matchup.
Additionally, Doral Academy is a team to keep an eye on as they took down the defending 4A champions, Miami Palmetto, in the Regional Finals with a score of 4-3.
For the Girls’ bracket, Miami Palmetto are looking to win the State Championship for the second year in a row. However, this won’t be an easy task as other teams look strong. Lake Nona, Venice, and Steinbrenner all enter the state tournament unbeaten and will we tough opponents for one another. Venice and Steinbrenner will meet up in the State Quarterfinals in a clash of titans.
Storylines in 3A
Over in 3A, teams have been battling all year long and throughout April in District and Regional competition to earn their spot in the state finale. For the Boys’, Jesuit took down Wiregrass Ranch, the defending 3A winners and are looking really strong heading into the State Quarterfinals.
Wiregrass Ranch dominated the competition in 3A in 2023.
Osceola comes into the Final 8 as the only undefeated team in 3A. The team has looked strong throughout the year, but the likes of Leon, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Lake Buena Vista are all looking great.
For the Girls’, the defending champs, St. Thomas Aquinas is playing great team tennis, and their eyes are set on the 3-peat. However, no one is going to let them do that with ease. St. Petersburg, who has only lost a single match, and Barron Collier, who is undefeated, are set to meet in the State Quarterfinals, and not to be taken lightly.
Other top teams to keep an eye on are Niceville and Sebring.
Storylines in 2A
For 2A, the Boys’ bracket is stacked with loads of competition throughout. The defending champs, American Heritage Delray have already taken down sine top foes and will look to build on that momentum at the state tournament.
2A has been competitive all year long as everyone has taken at least one loss this season. Citrus, Bolles, and Lake Highland Prep are heating up at the right time and look strong right now.
Over on the Girls’ side of the courts, teams like Bolles, Lemon Bay, Hernando, and the Academy of the Holy Names, have all been playing great tennis throughout the year.
Additionally, MAST Academy is catching eyes as the team took down Gulliver Prep in the District and Regional Finals. Gulliver Prep had won three titles in four season of competition (the 2020 FHSAA State Championships was not played due to Covid). MAST looks great and is definitely a top team heading into the Final 8.
Storylines in 1A
For the past couple of years, 1A has been dominated by Saint Andrew’s for both Boys’ and Girls’, but this year could be different. For the Boys’, Saint Andrew’s has won four straight team titles and once again, enter the Final 8 with just one loss on the year.
However, 1A is stacked from top to bottom. According to MaxPreps stats, Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Community School of Naples, Windermere Prep, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, and True North Academy, are all undefeated on the year. This makes it one of the most stacked brackets in all FHSAA.
Last year for Girls’ 1A, True North Academy put an end to Saint Andrew’s six consecutive state titles, and now the True North girls are looking to start their own era in 1A. The two meet up in the State Quarterfinals, in one of the biggest matches of the season for these teams.
There are other great Girls’ teams in 1A that have a great chance to lift the trophy at the end of the week. Pensacola Catholic has looked strong throughout the season and is looking to avenge their second-place finish from 2023. Community School of Naples and Master’s Academy are also two of the hottest teams in 1A and are ready to make some noise.
The matches haven’t started, but the excitement is in the air. Also, throughout the week, players will be competing for individual titles for both Singles and Doubles. To view the full list of individual athletes playing for those trophies, click here.
Classes 2A & 4A kick off the action on April 29 through May 1, while Classes 1A & 3A will start on May 1 and run through May 3. The matches will take place across three parks in Seminole County, which is located in the Orlando area. Sanlando Park (for all matches in 3A & 4A), Red Bug Lake Park (for only team competition in 1A & 2A), and Sylvan Lake Park (for only individual competition in 1A & 2A), will be the stage for teams competing in their respective classifications.
As the tournament plays out, you can find the updated draws for both Team and Individual play by clicking here.
Make sure to follow USTA Florida on Instagram and Facebook for all the latest updates. Also, check out our News page for recaps of the FHSAA Tennis State Championships.
*All stats and records in this article are courtesy of MaxPreps.com & FHSAA
2023 State Championship Winners
4A
- Boys Team Champions: Miami Palmetto
- Girls Team Champions: Miami Palmetto
- Boys Overall Singles Champion: Jack Satterfield, Plant
- Boys Overall Doubles Champions: Henry Stoller/Nikolas Stoot, Coral Gables
- Girls Overall Singles Champion: Ameia Sorey, Miami Palmetto
- Girls Overall Doubles Champions: Blanka DeMicheli/Delanie Tribby, Spanish River
3A
- Boys Team Champions: Wiregrass Ranch
- Girls Team Champions: St. Thomas Aquinas
- Boys Overall Singles Champion: Ninad Raut, Wiregrass Ranch
- Boys Overall Doubles Champions: Ninad Raut/Vladislav Shumakov, Winegrass Ranch
- Girls Overall Singles Champion: Lyla Messler, Osceola
- Girls Overall Doubles Champions: Mirabelle Tahiri/Nandini Karanam, Lecanto
2A
- Boys Team Champions: American Heritage Delray
- Girls Team Champions: Gulliver Prep
- Boys Overall Singles Champion: Markus Ekstrand, American Heritage Delray
- Boys Overall Doubles Champions: Markus Ekstrand/George Kosseifi, American Heritage Delray
- Girls Overall Singles Champion: Juhnyee See, Coral Springs Charter
- Girls Overall Doubles Champions: Natasha Jerkunica/Michaela Landry, Pine Crest
1A
- Boys Team Champions: Saint Andrew’s
- Girls Team Champions: True North Academy
- Boys Overall Singles Champion: Chase Healey, Christ Church Academy
- Boys Overall Doubles Champions: Brennon Chow/Gabriel Valdes, True North Academy
- Girls Overall Singles Champion: Abigail Gordon, Grandview Prep
- Girls Overall Doubles Champions: Lily Dounchis/Sophia Min, Community School
