Devils, Royals win team tennis titles: After individual success, programs unite to claim more 16th Region hardware

ASHLAND Russell and Rose Hill Christian continued their winning ways on the tennis court.

The Red Devils outlasted Rowan County to take the boys 16th Region team title with a 3-2 victory at the Ashland Tennis Center on Sunday. Bryson Hill and Max Newman, fresh off their doubles title on May 15, led the charge in singles competition.

Hill defeated the Vikings’ region singles champion, Chris Gray, 6-1, 6-1, and Newman won in straight sets over Jacob Campbell, 6-1, 7-5.

Each round in the boys field consists of five matches, three singles and two doubles. Rowan County’s Carter Owens and Logan Lucas won their team’s first match of the finals. Teammates Jaxon White and Collin Owens knotted the title round, 2-2, with their doubles victory.

Russell’s Finn Robinson tallied the championship point after a 6-0, 6-0 win over Ryan Berry.

Both teams advanced to the finals after convincing semifinal performances. The Red Devils moved past Rose Hill, 4-1. Joel Callaway and Jarek Compston earned the Royals’ only point with a doubles win that finished 10-5 in a closing super tiebreaker.

The Vikings blanked Morgan County, 4-0, to move on to the final round.

On Tuesday, a pair of repeat region champions lifted Rose Hill to a team title. Lakin Deerfield and Abi Justus collected wins against Ashland in a 3-0 victory to receive the team championship trophy.

Deerfield won her second girls singles title on May 15. Justus added to her hardware after the senior gained her third straight region doubles crown on the same day.

Newly crowned region champion, Carmen Calloway, who joined Justus this season, added another tally to the shutout win.

Rose Hill and Ashland had 3-0 wins in the semifinal round to meet for the championship.

The state tennis team tournament will take place June 3-4 in Lexington. The boys will play opening round and quarterfinal matches at Sayre High School’s Athletic Complex. The semifinals and finals will be played at UK’s Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex, according to the KHSAA. Every round in the girls event will be held at the University of Kentucky.

The Red Devils already know their opponent. Russell meets Greenwood on June 3. Rose Hill Christian advances to face the Region 7 winner.

The singles and doubles state tournament commences on May 27-29. The girls will play all matches at UK’s Boone/Downing Tennis Complex.

Boys singles open at Sayre. Doubles will start at Lexington Christian Academy. The boys tournament will move to UK for the final two days of the event.