Dalton tennis teams region runners-up

The Dalton High School teams each placed second in the Region 7-AAAA tennis tournament Thursday afternoon. They were two of the five teams that qualified for the state playoffs, which begin next week.

After claiming semifinal wins against Northwest Whitfield's boys and Cedartown's girls, Dalton won its first two individual girls' matches before dropping a 3-2 decision to Cass. The Catamounts lost 3-0 to River Ridge in the boys' final.

LaFayette's girls placed third in the region tournament, falling to Cass before defeating Cedartown 3-2 in the consolation match. It was a turnaround from a match previously won 4-1 by the Lady Bulldogs. Heritage's boys were also third, defeating the Bruins 3-2 in the consolation match. The Generals (8-2) had a big win by Andy Besh at No. 2 singles in the deciding match.

"That was a big win that Andy pulled out," Heritage coach Darren Miller said.

The Catamounts teams will host matches next week against LaGrange. All of the other qualifiers from the area will be on the road: the Northwest boys at Carrollton, Heritage's boys at Columbus and the LaFayette girls at Carrollton.

"If you told me my girls would be in the region championship, I would have said no way," Dalton coach David Hilley said. "The girls played well. Our boys played well, but River Ridge is just a little better than us.

"They have an excellent team from top to bottom."

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