American Heritage-Delray captures Class 2A FHSAA state tennis championship

American Heritage-Delray surged through a stellar season, so it speaks volumes the Stallions saved their best tennis for Seminole County’s Red Bug Lake Park on May 1^st.

With a spectacular showing from its two doubles squads, American Heritage achieved its “three-peat’’ by winning the Class 2A FHSAA state championship, beating Miami’s Gulliver Prep, 4-1.

The victory marked American-Heritage-Delray’s 12^th boys state championship and 22^nd overall since coach Brian Schliefer started the program in 1998. (The girls have won 10 titles but had a relatively modest season in 2025).

“It feels amazing,’’ said junior first singles Ajinkya Karnataki, who has been on all three title teams. “It was sort of the expectation from people around us. It feels good to get that ‘three-peat’ in.’’

More: The Post’s Athlete of the Week: Vote on this week’s best high school sports performances

American Heritage surged to a 2-0 lead against Gulliver Prep by sweeping the two doubles matches. Freshman Karl Ekstrand came up big to win at second doubles with fellow freshman, Geoff Kosseifi.

In addition, Ekstrand posted the clinching fourth point by securing his fourth singles match.

The first doubles duo of Karnataki-Yanni Anagnostopoulos also won.

“It’s so important because they start with the doubles first at states, then the singles,’’ Schliefer said. “To come out and get a 2-0 lead into singles made such a big difference. They came out with great intensity and energy.

“I’m so excited for them,’’ Schlieffer added. “They played their best tennis they’ve played all season. As a coach that’s what you want. You want them playing their best when it counts. I’m really proud of them.’’

On all levels of tennis, doubles doesn’t get the same buzz as singles but the Stallions know the intangibles of a cohesive doubles team.

“The doubles matches, we were on it –  great communication, great teamwork,’’ Karnataki said. “It’s the most we’ve played as a team ever.”

In May 1’s semifinals, American-Heritage had shut out Jacksonville’s Bolles High, 4-0. There are no seniors on the Stallions so next season also has a promising look.

“I think it was the energy,’’ Karnataki said. “All of us decided to come together and bring it today. It brought us into the right mental state and we played some of the best tennis we’ve ever played.’’

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: American Heritage-Delray wins 12th boys state tennis championship