A FHSAA Spokesperson has informed USTA Florida that the Individual/Overall Bracket is currently only being tracked on paper and will be uploaded to Play Tennis at a later date. USTA Florida will update this article with that information when it becomes available. (Updated as of May 7, 2025)
High School tennis athletes from across the state have come together in Central Florida to compete in the Florida High School Athletic Association Tennis State Championships for 1A and 3A. Taking place at Sanlando, Red Bug Lake, and Sylvan Lake Park, the past couple of days have been filled with intense matches and dreams turning to realities.
Over the past few months, every point, game, and set has culminated to this moment, to determine the best in the state. At the FHSAA Tennis State Championships there are Team and Individual brackets. As part of the Team Draw, the No. 1 line for each school will compete in the Team’s Individual bracket, where the winner will match up against the player that won the Individual bracket. The individual bracket features some of the best tennis players in the state whose team did not qualify for the State Championships. The winner of that match will become the Overall Champion for that specific class (Team’s Individual Draw winner against Individual Draw winner).
Class 1A Recap
For the past few years, 1A has been dominated by Saint Andrew’s and True North Academy, but this year, many teams came in hungry to change that narrative.
Starting off with the Boy’s draw, the five-time defending champions, St. Andrews’s had everyone’s attention. Much like recent years, their opening match was a breeze for the team. They won 5-0 over P.K. Yonge and in those matches, they only lost 6 out of 58 games!
True North Academy and Holy Trinity Episcopal also handled business, taking down Tampa Prep and Maclay in their respective matches.
The best match of the quarterfinals was between Out-of-Door Academy (ODA) and Trinity Prep. These two squads were evenly matched as the doubles were split. In the No. 1 Singles match, Ben Demetriades (Trinity Prep), took on Prithvi Sudhakar (ODA). These two traded blows as they split the first two sets, leading to a 10-point tiebreaker set. Eventually, Ben was able to pull ahead and win the match 10-4, securing a point for his team. Line 5 was also controlled by Trinity Prep as Spencer Song (Trinity Prep) won in convincing fashion. However, high school tennis is the ultimate team sport and each line matters. ODA was able to take Lines 2, 3, and 4 and win advancing with a 4-3 win over Trinity Prep.
The semifinals were set as St. Andrew’s played Holy Trinity Episcopal and True North Academy faced ODA. Looking to put an end to their consecutive titles, St. Andrews faced a hungry Holy Trinity team. They came out strong in Doubles as the top line of Frederic Tu (Holy Trinity) and David Bender (Holy Trinity) took down Rafael Bote (St. Andrew’s) and Ricardo Espaillat (St. Andrew’s) in a three-set thriller. But, St. Andrew’s answered right back on Line 2 as Adrian Fente (St. Andrew’s) and Mathias Mendez (St. Andrew’s) took down Ryder Collins (Holy Trinity) and Luke Rector (Holy Trinity). All eyes turned to an intense top line match between Rafael Bote and Frederic Tu. This was a marathon match, as these two competitors wouldn’t back down. The first two sets were split, each with a score of 7-5. In the third-set tiebreaker it was all Rafael as he found his groove and won it 10-2. For St. Andrew’s, they claimed Lines 2 and 3 and punched their ticket back in the championship!
Looking to have a shot at the kings of 1A was True North Academy and ODA. These two schools provided some intense matches. For Doubles, the top line of Caleb Chow (True North) and Gabriel Valdes (True North) claimed a big win over Prithvi Sudhakar (ODA) and Harrison Shepard (ODA). However, the theme of 1A continued as ODA’s brother duo of Max and Cash Murphy (ODA) answered back with a three-set win over Krishang Badwal (True North) and Thomas Rheault (True North). Moving into Singles, it would be a one-sided affair as True North was rolling. Gabriel Valdes and Prithvi Sudhakar delivered another three-set match. In the end, Gabriel rolled through the tiebreaker, winning it 10-1. True North would win three more lines and take it 5-1, setting up a date in the championship with St. Andrew’s.
Going for their sixth in a row, St. Andrew’s final test was True North Academy, a team that have defeated in the State Championship Final three years in a row. Things got started with Doubles as Gabriel Valdes and Caleb Chow remained perfect in Doubles on the week in the top line for True North. The second line was extremely close as Adrian Fente (St. Andrew’s) and Mathias Mendez (St. Andrew’s) battled with Thomas Rheault (True North) and Krishang Badwal (True North). The St. Andrew’s duo swept the first set, but True North battled back forcing the second set into a tiebreaker. It was back and forth, but in the end St. Andrew’s took it to even the score at 1-1 heading into singles. Caleb Chow got things going for True North in Singles with a win on Line 2. In the top match, featuring Rafael Bote for St. Andrew’s and Gabriel Valdes for True North, it was an exciting match, lasting over 2 hours. Battling the elements and cramps, Rafael took an insane three-set match, winning the tiebreaker 10-7. However, True North’s Krishang Badwal, who took an exciting three-set match himself, and Thomas Rheault, who won 6-0, 6-1, secured the four points needed as True North Academy Boys, for the first time in school history, defeat St. Andrew’s and became State Champions!
For the Girl’s side of the draws, it was True North Academy who entered as the back-to-back champions and looked to defend their title.
The quarterfinals provided some excitement as the ladies were leaving everything on the court. For True North Academy, Grandview Prep, and the Benjamin School, the teams took care of business, sweeping their matches.
It was a matchup between Episcopal School of Jacksonville and Maclay that produced tons of excitement for tennis fans in attendance. Both Doubles lines were extremely close as they both went to a third-set tiebreaker. The top line was taken by Maclay, while the second line was captured by Episcopal School. Moving into singles, all the pressure was now shifted onto the individuals in each line. The top line match between Megan Vegas (Maclay) and Addie Grek (Episcopal School) was intense. Megan took the opening set after tons of back-and-forth. That competition carried over into the next set as Addie fired right back, winning it and forcing the tiebreaker. However, Megan found her groove again and won it by 7 points. Thanks to Line 3 and 5, Grace Mitchel (Episcopal School) and Cate Taylor (Episcopal School) were able to bring Episcopal back into the match with wins. Autumn Daniels (Maclay) fired back on Line 2 for Maclay and brought it to a 3-3 score. All eyes turned to the fourth line. Ruby Tang (Maclay) and Cora Nancy Anderson (Episcopal School) played a three-set thrilled. Cora opened with a tough 7-5 win in the first set. But, Ruby bounced right back and never lost her stride, winning the second set 6-0 and the tiebreaker 10-4 to move Maclay into the semifinals.
The semifinals were set as Grandview Prep matched up against The Benjamin School and True North Academy took on Maclay. The first semis, between Grandview and Benjamin was a great match. Things got started with the two doubles matches being traded. For singles, the No. 1 Line was great as Maria Navarro (Benjamin) played a flawless match against Victoria Cajigas (Grandview). However, Grandview Prep used a full team effort as Line 2 Helena Piquet (Grandview) took down Milana Ronert (Benjamin). Isla Hellemons (Grandview) on Line 4 and Emerson Dawson (Grandview) on Line 5 secured a 4-2 win and a spot in the Team Championship!
For True North, they couldn’t be stopped. The top doubles lines in Daniela Chica (True North) and Alba Martinez (True North), played near-perfect tennis. Daniela carried that into her singles match as she took her No. 1 Line match, winning 12 of the 13 games. The girls would advance to the championship against Grandview Prep, looking to win their third straight team title.
In the championship, experience paid off well for True North Academy. The defending champs kicked off their Doubles with wins by Daniela Chica and Alba Martinez as well as Isabella Porto and Luciana Chica. Heading into singles it was more of the same as Isabella took a 6-1, 6-2 match in Line 3. Grandview Prep had a couple close matches, especially on Line 2, where Helena Piquet was in a third-set tiebreaker. However, that match was abandoned as Daniela Chica secured her top line win, giving True North their four point and their third straight title!
FULL RESULTS:
- Boys Team Champions: True North Academy
- Boys Team Finalist: St. Andrew’s
- Girls Team Champions: True North Academy
- Girls Team Finalist: Grandview Prep
- Boys Overall Singles Champion: TBD
- Boys Overall Singles Finalist: TBD
- Boys Overall Doubles Champions: Frederic Tu/David Bender, Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy
- Boys Overall Doubles Finalist: Edward Roake/Joshua Liberman, Community School
- Girls Overall Singles Champion: TBD
- Girls Overall Singles Finalist: TBD
- Girls Overall Doubles Champions: TBD
- Girls Overall Doubles Finalist: TBD
Class 3A Recap
Over in 3A, recent years have been controlled by St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) and Barron Collier. However, with the reclassification of Barron Collier, that has opened the door for contenders to start a new era in 3A.
Kicking off in the Boy’s draw, St. Thomas Aquinas was looking to avenge their second-place finish from a year ago. They got things started off right as they swept their opening match against Melbourne. Osceola High School and Nease would follow in their footsteps as they swept Gulf Coast and Wiregrass Ranch in their respective matches. Chiles also won their match against Innovation High.
This set up semifinal matches between Osceola against Nease and St. Thomas against Chiles. Osceola and Nease, two of the top teams entering the tournament delivered a super competitive match. The doubles lines were split, with Alessandro de Bernardo (Osceola) and Alexander Rangelov (Osceola) winning Line 1 and Austin Miskelly (Nease) Aleksandar Gavrancic (Nease) taking Line 2. Much like Doubles, Alessandro and Alexander stayed hot in singles, winning both lines and taking a 3-1 lead. Nease would answer back with a Line 5 win by Tyler Miskelly (Nease). But, James Mellinger (Osceola) on Line 4 secured a 6-2, 6-3 win to punch his team’s ticket to the finals.
In the other semifinal match, St. Thomas matched up with Chiles as both teams were playing some great tennis. Chiles got things started hot as they took both of the Doubles matches. On Line 2, Omar Mongerie and Michael Metarko (Chiles) battled for a hard-fought 10-8 third-set win. Moving into singles, it was a Line 1 win for Connor Reeser (STA) which put St. Thomas on the board. However, this would be all St. Thomas would get as Even Rodenberg (Chiles) and Omar Mongerie (Chiles) would claim wins on Lines 2 and 3 to secure a spot in the finals.
This set up a final between Osceola and Chiles, where the match came down to one final line. In Doubles, the lines were split as the top pair of Alessandro De Bernardo and Alexander Rangelov (Osceola) found a 4-0, 4-2 win for Osceola. On Line 2, it was Omar and Michael (Chiles) once again for Chiles who found themselves in a tight three-set match. They took the tiebreaker set 10-4 and evened up the score heading into singles. On Line 1, Alessandro De Bernardo (Osceola) got a quick 6-1, 6-1 and on Line 2, Alexander Rangelov (Osceola) earned a 6-1, 6-4 win top put the team on match point. However, Chiles responded with wins on Lines 4 and 5 as Michael Metarko (Chiles) and Wesley Kuntz (Chiles) took victories. All eyes turned to Line 3, where a marathon match was taking place between Leon Linetski (Osceola) and Omar Mongerie (Chiles). Leon was able to take an intense opening set 7-5. Moving into set two, they were battling, trading game for game. It was 4-4 when Omar was dealing with cramps, and unfortunately, was forced to retire. This gave Osceola their fourth win of the match, and the State Championship. 
On the Girl’s side of the draw, St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) entered with hopes of a High School Grand Slam (winning four state titles in a row). However, the other seven teams weren’t going to let that happen so easily.
St. Thomas was tested early in their opening match with Gainesville. In what seemed to be the theme of the week, the doubles matches were split, as St. Thomas took the top line and Gainesville took the second line. In Singles, St. Thomas came out swinging, Sophia Pacheco (STA) won the top line and Rowan Cicero (STA) won Line 2. On Line 4, Polina Zasimovich (Gainesville) won her match to make it 3-2. However, on Line 5, it was Anna Pitino (STA) took her match to advance to the semifinals.
Niceville also had a tough match against Naples. Once again, the Doubles matches were split between the two teams, leaving all things level heading into singles. On Line 1, Te’Anna Mata (Naples) swept her match to give Naples a 2-1 edge. However, Niceville stormed back, winning the remaining four lines and securing a spot in the semifinals.
Nease and Jensen Beach handled their business in the quarterfinals with sweeps over East Lake and Wesley Chapel. This set up semifinal matches between Nease and Niceville, as well as St. Thomas and Jensen Beach.
Top-ranked Nease handled Niceville in quick fashion as the team was riding the momentum created from their win the day before. Nease won both Doubles matches as the top pair of Kylie Kochis (Nease) and Nadia Filer (Nease) won 4-1, 4-0. The second line of Olivia Jepsen (Nease) and Blair Murray (Nease) won 4-0, 4-0 to give Nease a 2-0 lead. The girls carried this hot streak into singles as Kylie won the top line 6-0, 6-0 and Nadia won the second line 6-0, 6-3. This booked their team’s spot in the championship.
They awaited the winner of St. Thomas and Jensen Beach, where these girls played their hearts out on the courts. The Doubles were traded as St. Thomas won the top line and Jensen Beach took the second line. For Singles, Valerie Gomez (Jensen Beach) on Line 1 took down Sophia Pacheco (STA) and Domenica Monserrate (Jensen Beach) on Line 2 defeated Rowan Cicero (STA) to give them a 3-1 lead over the three-time defending champs. Anna Pitino (STA) got St. Thomas back on the board with a Line 5 win. But, in an intense three-set match Line 4 match between Reese Richardson (Jensen Beach) and Lisi Sinkoe (STA) it was Reese who was able to win the tiebreaker 10-7 as Jensen Beach ended St. Thomas’ run at four straight titles.
Jensen Beach would take on Nease in the Girl’s 1A Team Finals. Things got started for Jensen Beach with a Line 2 Doubles win as Olivia Jepsen (Jensen Beach) and Blair Murray (Jensen Beach) pulled out a strong 4-0, 4-2 win. However, in a long battle, Valerie Gomez and Domenica Monserrate (Nease) fought hard in a three-set match to even the score up. The top pair for Nease wouldn’t be rattled by the tough doubles loss though. Kylie Kochis (Nease) on Line 1 was able to take the win over Valerie 6-3, 7-5. Nadia Filer (Nease) the Line 2 singles player for Nease also put that doubles loss behind as she had a strong 6-2, 6-2 showing. Olivia Jepsen and Zofi Huszcza (Nease) each captured wins of their own on Lines 4 and 5, which secured the title for Nease!
FULL RESULTS:
- Boys Team Champions: Osceola
- Boys Team Finalist: Chiles
- Girls Team Champions: Nease
- Girls Team Finalist: Jensen Beach
- Boys Overall Singles Champion: TBD
- Boys Overall Singles Finalist: TBD
- Boys Overall Doubles Champions: Alessandro De Bernardo/Alexander Rangelov, Osceola
- Boys Overall Doubles Finalist: Eric Ormsby/Hudson Taylor, Gulf Breeze
- Girls Overall Singles Champion: Kylie Kochis, Nease
- Girls Overall Singles Finalist: Abra Boonswang, Leon
- Girls Overall Doubles Champions: Faith Valentine/Riddhi Thakur, Gulf Coast
- Girls Overall Doubles Finalist: Sophia Pacheco/Rowan Cicero, St. Thomas Aquinas
