Taking out South Effingham 5-0 in this week’s tennis match gave the RHHS boy’s tennis team a first place seed in the upcoming regional playoff. The win assured them of a trip to the state playoffs.

All three singles players posted two-set, 6-0, shutouts that served to be the necessary points to win. Michael Zhu, Jason Trankle and Huy Phan dispatched their opponents with little difficulty. Both double’s teams, Nick Balas and Kyle Guither, and Lee Noonburg playing with Joe Feck, took out their foes in two brief sets. A final blow came when Freshman Charles Zhu rated an 8-3 victory at the alternate four singles slot.

The victory left Richmond Hill undefeated in the Sub-Region which in turn will place them as either No. 1 or No. 2 in the seeding for the state playoffs. The most likely match with the North Region will be Harlem.

The girls went into the match undefeated and knew they needed some excellent play and some luck to survive the bout with the South Effingham girls. Things looked bright with Caroline Benjamin taking the first set in singles play. Caroline struggled through the second set but dropped it and the tie-breaker set. Number One doubles of Annastashia Ames and Emily Stephens played their best match of the year in defeating a very powerful duo. Both players worked the net and the baseline and swept two short sets. Fiona Baer and Laura Trivitayakhun played tough but dropped two points.

Kate Macedo and Ali Mazur yielded to a stronger two doubles team. Alternate two doubles team of Rachel Dixon and Gina Floria provided some thrills in a split set tie-break which eventually went to South Effingham.

The girls will enter the playoffs and play the No. 3 seed from the North. Hopes are high for the girl’s to gain a No. 3 seed in the State Playoffs and eventually work their way to a higher ranking

Coach (???) Paruso indicated, "Both the girl’s and the boy’s lineups are fixed." "The kids typically improve once they know they are a permanent fixture." "Spring break will let them rest up and be strong for the most crucial part of their season."

The Wildcats close out the season with Southeast Bulloch and Bryan County. The Region 3-AAA playoff is scheduled for April 18 at Patriots Park in Grovetown near Augusta.