Putnam County’s tennis teams have qualified for the state playoffs following a successful regular season.
Last season, the boys and girls teams didn’t advance past the first round of the postseason despite each winning region titles, so head coach Christian Keiser hopes they can bounce back this year.
“Last year, we won the region, so we wanted to build on that success,” he said. “I think we can do it.”
The GHSA moved Putnam County from Class AA to Class A Division I this season and Keiser believes his teams are battle-tested after completing a challenging region schedule.
“This year, we had a new region, which posed a new challenge,” Keiser said. “I’m glad that we did, because last year we weren’t exposed to as much talent in the region, and then we got to state, and it was a wake-up call, but this year, we’ve had more competition and been in more tight matches.”
Putnam County’s boys and girls have faced tough competition this season against Lamar County and Social Circle in the region. Both Putnam teams placed third at the region tournament last week.
Putnam County’s girls finished the regular season with a 10-3 overall record and a 4-3 mark in the region. Entering the playoffs this week, the Lady War Eagles were seeded No. 14 in Class A Division I.
The team returned six girls from last season and came up just short of winning a region title but retain high hopes for the playoffs.
“We’re a little disappointed that we didn’t make it to the region championship, but now we’ve turned our focus and got a higher seed,” Keiser said. “We’re looking to get at least to the second round.”
Players Joelle Lukens, Vidhi Raiyani, and Addie Grace Usry performed well this season for Putnam County’s girls. Each of these Lady War Eagles earned All-Region first-team honors.
“I’m super proud of the girls who earned first-team All-Region,” Keiser said. “Their hard work and determination showed all season. They are great leaders for our team.”
Unfortunately, Putnam County’s boys didn’t fare as well, but they still made the playoffs. The War Eagles head into the postseason as the No. 28 overall seed after going 6-7 overall and 3-4 in the region.
They returned four contributors from last season’s team and feel like they have something to prove.
“I’m proud of the boys for their competitive spirit this year. The regular season didn't go as planned, but we kept fighting,” Keiser said. “We upset Jasper County in the region tournament. It was really a statement win that will propel us into the first round of state. They have something to prove and are getting better each match.”
Leland Erikson, Carlos Jimenez, Charlie Williams, and William Puckett performed well for Putnam County’s boys this year. Erikson was the team’s leader, and Jimenez competed well in his first season.
“Leland didn’t win many, but he’s our true leader. He just played a lot of tough competition,” Keiser said. “Carlos was a newcomer this year, but progressed throughout the year, and my doubles team of Charlie Williams and William Puckett performed well. They finished with a good record.”
Putnam County’s girls hosted No. 19 Banks County in the first round. Meanwhile, Putnam County’s boys traveled to No. 5 Model. Both matches occurred past press time.