The 2026 Florida High School Athletic Association Tennis season is officially underway, with over 1,000 boys’ and girls’ teams across the state competing for the ultimate prize, a State Championship. From powerhouse programs looking to defend their titles to hungry contenders ready to make their mark, this season promises intense competition and no shortage of exciting storylines.
Breaking Down the Competition
Florida high school tennis continues to be among the most competitive in the country. Teams compete in four classifications (1A-4A) based on school population, not skill level. 1A schools have the smallest student populations, while 4A schools represent the largest. Each classification will crown a team champion, while the state’s best individual players will battle for the Overall Singles and Doubles Championships.
District Tournaments kick off on April 13, followed by Regional Tournaments on April 21 and 23. The FHSAA State Championships will run from April 27 to May 1 at Sanlando Park, Red Bug Lake Park, and Sylvan Lake Park in Seminole County, returning to the same Central Florida venues that have hosted thrilling championship action in recent years.
Class 1A: Can Anyone Catch True North Academy?
True North Academy made history last season, sweeping both the Boys’ and Girls’ team titles. The program has quickly become one of the most dominant forces in 1A and will enter 2026 with a target on its back.
Saint Andrew’s will be the top challenger on the boys’ side. The Scots were 1A runners-up last year and return Rafael Bote, who captured the singles state title as a sophomore. Bote and Saint Andrew’s will be hungry to reclaim the crown the program held for five consecutive years. Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Community School of Naples, and Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy are also ones to watch. For the girls, True North looks to keep its dynasty rolling, while Grandview Prep, Benjamin, and Saint Andrew’s could challenge after strong postseason runs a year ago.
Class 2A: American Heritage Continues to Set the Standard
The American Heritage brand remains synonymous with 2A success. American Heritage Delray captured the Boys’ title for the third straight year in 2025, while American Heritage Plantation took home the Girls’ crown. On the boys’ side, Heritage Delray enters as the team to beat once again, but Bolles, Gulliver Prep, and Aubrey Rogers all showed potential at last year’s State Championships and will look to close the gap. For the girls, American Heritage Plantation will defend their title against a classification full of competitive squads ready to make a push.
Class 3A: Osceola and Nease Lead the Way
Class 3A delivered some of the most memorable matches at last year’s State Championships. Osceola’s boys captured the title behind standout players Alessandro De Bernardo and Alexander Rangelov, who were a force in both singles and doubles. If key contributors return, Osceola will be the team to beat, with Chiles, St. Thomas Aquinas, Nease, and Ponte Vedra all capable of making deep runs.
Nease’s girls’ championship was one of the best stories of 2025. The Panthers captured their first state title since 1997, powered by Kylie Kochis, who dominated the tournament en route to the overall individual singles crown. With Kochis having graduated, the question is whether Nease’s young core can keep the momentum going. Jensen Beach, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Niceville will all be in the hunt again.
Class 4A: Wide Open and Full of Firepower
Class 4A is set to be the most unpredictable classification once again. Lake Nona’s boys broke through last season, capturing the title in dramatic fashion — winning a 10-point tiebreaker on the top line to edge Doral Academy in the finals. The Lions will look to defend, but Doral Academy, Cypress Bay, Spanish River, West Boca Raton, Steinbrenner, and Winter Park all have the talent to make serious title runs.
For the girls, Miami Palmetto reclaimed the 4A crown last season with Catherin Cardona-Carballosa clinching the championship in a third-set tiebreaker. It was the program’s second title in three years. Lake Nona, Wellington, Cypress Bay, and Winter Park are among the programs that could challenge, with Wellington returning a talented roster after reaching the state semifinals.
2025 FHSAA Team Champions
- 1A Girls: True North Academy | 1A Boys: True North Academy
- 2A Girls: American Heritage Plantation | 2A Boys: American Heritage Delray
- 3A Girls: Nease | 3A Boys: Osceola
- 4A Girls: Miami Palmetto | 4A Boys: Lake Nona
With new champions crowned across multiple classifications last year, the 2026 season promises even more shakeups as young talent rises and established programs reload. Whether it’s a dynasty extending its reign or a new contender breaking through, the 2026 FHSAA Tennis Season is shaping up to be one for the books.
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