This afternoon could be one of the best days in the history of the Calhoun High School tennis programs.
They hope it's the second best.
Both sets of Yellow Jackets are hosting Class AAA state semifinals today at the Calhoun Recreation Department. The girls are playing Westminster at 4:30; the boys play Blessed Trinity at 5.
A win would put Calhoun in the state championship round for the first time in history.
While the boys have cruised so far, sweeping all five matches in each of their playoff wins, the girls -- making their deepest advancement in school history -- had a hard-fought, 3-2 win over Central-Carrollton last week to set up today's matches.
Florida signee McClain Kessler, the No. 9 ranked prospect in America, leads the Calhoun boys, while Jake Briggs and Morgan Bird also have had great seasons in singles. The Lady Yellow Jackets were led into the semifinals by their singles players as well, as McCartney Kessler, McClain's younger sister, Caroline Tarpley and Marlee Nichelson were victorious in the quarterfinal victory.
"We're excited," Calhoun co-head coach Robin Proffitt said. "We know they're going to be tough matches -- Blessed Trinity and Westminster are here a lot -- but I feel the teams feel good about it. They're going to be matches that they have to stay focused, and it's really going to come down to how we handle the pressure of being on this stage. Obviously (the opponents) have been in this position before.
"The main thing is that we have to stay focused and take it one point at a time. If we do that, we'll be fine."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.