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Newton girls reach tennis finals, Tigers place third
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The Newton High girls tennis team and Alcovy Tigers boys tennis program made runs at region titles this past week, with the Lady Rams falling to Rockdale County in the league finals while the Tigers bested Newton's boys in the third place consolation final.

The Lady Rams fought their way through Druid Hills and Alcovy to reach the consolation round of the Region 2-AAAAAA tournament before falling to the Lady Bulldogs, 3-0.

The Newton boys team fell to Rockdale 3-0 in the opening round before facing the Tigers in the consolation match. Newton was unable to overcome the Tigers', dropping the consolation contest 3-1.

With their top-3 finishes, both Newton programs qualified for the state playoffs.

"It feels really good to have both of our teams qualify for state once again," Newton coach Michael Bryan said. "Our boys played better against Rockdale and Alcovy than they had all season and our girls really impressed me as they fought off Alcovy for the win.

"We have been working all season to go far in the region tournament and get the opportunity to face a team as good as Rockdale in the finals was nice, too," he said.

The Lady Rams opened up with a 3-0 sweep over Druid Hills, picking up a pair of forfeiture victories in doubles before winning 6-0, 6-0 in No. 2 singles.

Newton followed with a 3-1 victory over the Lady Tigers, as Irma Soriano defeated Alcovy 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in No. 2 singles. Ify Egbulem and Hanah Scott also clinched a 6-1, 6-2 win in No. 1 doubles, while Ja'lynne Cole and Brook Menchion topped the Lady Tigers 6-0, 6-2 in No. 2 doubles.

In the boys' tournament, the Rams picked up a 3-0 sweep over Morrow in the opening round, using a 6-0, 6-1 win from Tufail Khan in No. 1 singles, a 6-0, 6-2 victory by Craig Thomas in No. 2 singles and a 6-0, 6-1 win from No. 2 doubles duo Chris Scott and Marcus Willis to advance past the Mustangs.

Newton fell to eventual champion Rockdale County in the semifinals 3-0, but took on the Tigers in the region consolation game.

Against Alcovy, the Rams were able to pull out just one individual win, falling 3-1. Alcovy took No. 1 and No. 3 singles, but Newton's Scott and Willis rallied back to win No. 2 doubles 6-0, 6-2 before Alcovy clinched with a win in No. 2 doubles.