The CA boys tennis team had its most important week of the year, playing in both the team district final and the individual district tournament.

On Tuesday, May 16, the Vikes went up against their archrival Bexley in the team district final, with a ticket to the state tournament on the line. Unfortunately, the Lions squeezed out a 3-2 win at home. 

In first singles, senior Austin Lawrence continued his phenomenal year by easily defeating junior Mark Nudelman 6-1, 6-0. Then, in second doubles, the CA duo of sophomore Suriya Sundaram and freshman Rhian Seneviratne stormed back after dropping the first set to win, 6-7, 6-1, 6-1. 

Securing wins in second singles, third singles, and first doubles, the Lions escaped with a tough victory over the Vikings. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Academy kept up its morale heading to the individual tournament.

On Thursday, May 18, Lawrence, Min, Qi, Sundaram, Haffer, and Menon participated in the individual district tournament at CA. Senior Sid Menon fell in the quarterfinals to fellow senior John Purnode of Granville, but the other 5 Vikes all advanced to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, sophomore Drew Haffer looked to avenge his loss at sectionals against Connor Biernat of Wellington. But Biernat again got the best of Haffer, winning 6-4, 6-0.

Playing doubles, Sundaram and senior Michael Qi were eliminated after a hard-fought match in the quarterfinals. Lawrence and senior Eric Min, however, breezed through the semifinals and then ground out a win in the finals, earning the duo a trip to states.

The state tournament takes place on Friday, May 26, at the Linder Family Tennis Center, as Lawrence and Min make one final run at a state championship.