Langley High School in Virginia secured another sweep of the Class 6 boys’ and girls’ team tennis titles in a thrilling showdown that showcased grit and determination.
The Saxon girls, under new coaches Stefan Henryson and Karis Gibbs, faced a challenging season of rebuilding but managed to secure a three-peat victory that was unexpected. “Last year at this time, looking towards this year, we had no expectation or hope that we would be here now,” said Henryson. “We thought for sure that a twofer was all that we would be able to pull off. So we’re really pleased.”
The tension rose as the Saxons faced a tough opponent in the finals, but every member of the lineup stepped up to the challenge. Sophomore Zosia Henryson-Gibbs set the momentum with a win in singles, but it was senior Arakai Henryson-Gibbs who felt the pressure after losing her match. However, the team rallied together, and the Saxons ultimately secured the win in the doubles matches, clinching the title with a 5-3 victory.
On the boys’ side, Langley faced off against rival McLean in a rematch of last year’s final. With confidence from playing the Highlanders throughout the season, the Saxons managed to come out on top with a 5-3 win. Senior Adi Gupta led the team to victory, emphasizing the importance of belief and readiness for their opponent’s efforts.
In other matches, Riverside swept Frank Cox for the Class 5 boys title, while Broad Run secured a 5-2 win over Courtland in the Class 4 girls’ finals. The Rotaru siblings dominated in singles, showcasing their talent and securing the victory for their team.