Walker Advances to State

Walker vs. Therell
S1 - W 6-0, 6-0
S2 - W 6-0, 6-0
S3 - Up when the match was called
D1 - W 6-0, 6-0
D2 - Up when the match was called
 
In the opening round of the region tennis tournament, Walker spent little time earning the team victory over Therrell. Senior Ajai Sheelvanth set the tone from the opening serve, dispatching his opponent at line 1 singles in straight sets without losing a single point. Partners Nick Landro and Tate Bachman notched the second victory of the morning with another straight sets victory at the top doubles line. All matches were called when John Lambremont sealed the team victory with his convincing 6-0, 6-0 win at line 2 singles. All Wolverine lines either won outright or had commanding leads when play ended in Walker's favor.

Walker vs North Cobb Christian
S1 - Ajai - 6-0, 6-0
S2 - Rohan - 6-4, 6-4
S3 - John - 3-6, 6-2, 1-3
D1 - Matthew/Nick 4-6, 5-7 D2 - Robby/Tate 6-4, 0-6, 6-1
 
The Wolverines beat North Cobb Christian in the first round of tournament matches to advance to the championship round.
Walker's boys varsity tennis team advanced to the semifinals of the region tournament on Monday, riding a wave of positive momentum. The Wolverines squared off against region rival NCC and were eager to avenge an earlier loss to the Eagles during an early season match. This time, however, Walker had its full lineup, including their top two singles aces, Ajai Sheelvanth and Rohan Piplani. Ajai wasted no time posting the first individual win, once again in dominant straight set fashion, not dropping a single game. Rohan Piplani, at line 2 singles, returned to the Walker lineup for only the second time this season, having spent most of the season rehabbing from knee surgery. Rohan showed great form as he battled a strong line 2 NCC opponent to earn a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 win in one of the most exciting matches of the day! NCC was able to fight back at line 1 doubles, defeating Matthew Culling and Nick Landro by the narrow margin of 4-6, 5-7. With the overall score set at Walker 2, NCC 1, the remaining two matches ended up in highly entertaining and contended bouts. Both matches delivered many lead changes and hold-your-breath moments, with opportunities for both sides to claim the victory. Both line 2 singles and line 2 doubles matches split the first and second sets and extended into match-deciding third sets. John Lambremont lost his first set before bouncing back to win the second set and tie the match. In the third set, it looked like NCC was slowly pulling away to possibly win line 2 singles when teammates Robby Wottrich and Tate Bachman closed the door on NCC when they finished their line 2 doubles match with a 6-1 final run in the third set to earn the third win and the overall match, sending the Wolverines into the finals vs. Mt. Paran. The semifinal team win over NCC was one of the highlights of this season!

Walker vs. Mount Paran
S1 - Ajai 6-1, 6-2
S2 - Rohan 1-6, 2-6
S3 - John 2-6, 2-6
D1 - Matthew/Nick 1-6, 6-4, 2-3
D2 - Robby/Tate 3-6, 6-3, 2-6
 
The boy's region finals match lived up to its billing, with many moments of phenomenal points, matches, and overall tennis. Walker struck first, again behind the steady and beautiful tennis of Ajai Sheelvanth, who has been consistently spectacular all season. Although MPC's line 1 singles player was highly accomplished and clearly up to the task, Ajai wore him down with surgical ball placement, excellent footwork, explosive serves, and groundstrokes. Ajai walked off the court with a 6-1, 6-2 score, but many of the games were close and highly-contested. MPC bounced right back behind, convincing wins at singles lines 2 and 3. Fatigue and cramping got the best of Rohan Piplani, who played a gritty match yet came out on the short end of the 2-6, 2-6 final score. John Lambremont fell at line 3 singles, leaving MPC with an overall 2-1 team lead, with both doubles matches going back and forth, ending in two 3-set dog fights. As Matthew Culling and Nick Landro were on the comeback, having won the second set and leading in the third, teammates Robby Wottrich and Tate Bachman ran out of gas in the final set, yielding the third and decisive team point to MPC. In the end, MPC captured the region title, with our Wolverines improving from our 3rd place finish last year to earn Runner-Up honors this season.
 
Walker qualified for the State Tournament, which kicks off next week when the Wolverines host North Murray on Monday, April 15, at 4 pm on the Damar tennis courts. The Lady Wolverines, who successfully defeated MPC to repeat as Area Champions, will square off in the first round of States against Model HS next week, also hosted on the Walker campus. Go Wolverines!!