Niceville girls tennis advances to 3A State Final 4, 'not hiding' from expectations
There was no celebration for Niceville High Monday morning in Sanlando Park, just a few pictures snapped to commemorate what’s become standard for the Eagles’ girls tennis program: a trip to the Final 4.
After splitting doubles play with Naples, the Eagles won the Nos. 3-5 singles slot to secure a 4-2 state quarterfinal win and a state semifinal date Tuesday morning with Nease.
Audrey Hill and Callie Delemarre did what they do at No. 2 doubles, defeating Isabella Adiutori and Riley Brannan 4-1, 4-0 to improve to 20-1 on the season and score a 1-1 doubles split after teammates Annaliese Drab and Eleanor Randolph fell to 14-7 on the year with a straight-set loss at No. 1.
Niceville’s depth shined in singles, Randolph winning 6-1, 6-0 at No. 3 to improve to 22-0 on the year, Delemarre cruising 6-0, 6-2 at No. 4 to improve to 20-1, and Aspen Baker prevailing 6-2, 6-0 at No. 5 to improve to 7-0. Hill, meanwhile, was leading her No. 2 singles match 6-3, 1-0 when the team win was clinched.
“Depth really has always been our strength,” said Niceville coach Chris Poate, whose program last won it all in 2014.
After the win, Poate said the reaction screamed been there, done that. The girls took a few photos and readied for a fun day where they’d grab a good lunch, visit the USTA National Campus, maybe catch a movie matinee and then veg out on some Cheesecake Factory before grabbing some early shut-eye ahead of tomorrow’s state semifinal with Nease.
“They know what’s coming up. We’re in a good frame of mind,” Poate said. “We’ve come here for more than (just a Final 4 appearance).”
On paper, Nease has better UTRs (Universal Tennis Rating) all around. But that also has a lot to do with Niceville not being pushed in the Panhandle, the Eagles’ lone team loss coming in a trip to Mobile, Alabama.
“We need to find another gear (against Nease),” said Poate, who noted he’ll tell the girls tonight to “believe in yourself coming through this on the other end. Visualize that you can do this and that you can get there.”
“We’re not hiding,” he added.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Niceville girls tennis advances to FHSAA 3A Final 4, date with Nease
