SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – After dominating their regional series in western Nevada, the South Tahoe High Viking’s boys tennis team competed in the 2024 NIAA 3A State Championship of Nevada hosted in Truckee. After winning the State title the year prior, the boys walked into the competition confidently in hopes of winning again.
The team played for the title on Friday against Boulder City after beating Pahrump Valley in the semi-finals the day before 10-2. After lots of close matches throughout the day, South Tahoe was at 9-8 and needed one more game to win. In an almost cinematic ending, number one singles player Sebastian Gurerro beat Bennett Forney in a come-from-behind victory. The Vikings rushed out onto the courts to celebrate. They did it, they were State Champions back-to-back after the school had never even come close to winning this title in its entire history! This moment will be looked back on and celebrated for many years.
But this state tournament did not end there, some of the singles guys and doubles teams also got the opportunity to represent the Vikings in the individual tournament for State. Unfortunately for the singles players, both Sebastian Gurerro and Ryder Tannaci lost in the quarterfinals.
As for the doubles teams, Emiliano Gurerro and Simon Stafford ended up placing 4th in the tournament, but things were much different for the number one doubles team. Brodie Wallisch and Ralston Pierce won the state championships for individuals leaving them undefeated for the entire season.
Overall, both the singles and doubles players performed excellently in the individual portion of states and the school as a whole takes home the title of state champions for the second year in a row.
Coaches: W. Davenport & Glenn
1 singles: Sebastian G.
2 singles: Ryder T.
3 singles: Jaedunn A.
1 doubles: Ralston P. & Brodie W.
2 doubles: Emiliano G. & Simon S.
3 doubles: Jacob L. & Owen D./Diego P.
Sub-ins: Keller F, Bryce T, Bryson F, Kacin E, Brady H, Breslin H, Trevor M, Trevor B, Jayden B, Rocco L, Aidan M, Jarrell A, Layne C, Gideon B
The full roster:
Rocco Labrado, Fr.
Trevor Bennett, Jr.
Gideon Beall, So.
Jaden Bingham, Jr.
Trevor Mattila, Jr.
Seth Johnson, Sr.
Colton Brown, So.
Kacen Elkins, So.
Keller Fox, Jr.
Sebastian Guerrero, Jr.
Emiliano Guerrero, Jr.
Brodie Wallish, Sr.
Bryson Freiderici, Fr.
Breslin Hambel, So.
Diego Palacios, So.
Jaedunn Aquino, Sr.
Simon Stafford, Jr.
Owen Deleon, Jr.
Jarell Aquino, Fr.
Aidan Melendez, Jr.
Jacob Lucas, Sr.
Ralston Pierce, Jr.
Bryce Tieslau, Jr.
Brady Higgins, Jr.
Layne Celnar, So.
Ryder Tannaci, Sr.