The DeKalb County contingent to the 2018 state tennis playoffs consists of 17 teams including four region champions as play gets underway today (Tuesday).

The defending Class 5A champions Chamblee Lady Bulldogs lead the way as they host Decatur today at 4:00 pm at Chamblee High. Chamblee has reeled off 17 consecutive wins this season including three straight to win the Region 5-5A crown.

Chamblee went 25-0 in 2017 on the way to the state crown and has a current streak of 42 victories heading into their Class 5A first round match.

The team is led by sophomore No. 1 singles player Madison Trinh who is 9-0 overall (7-0 at No. 1), No. 2 singles player junior Grace Pietkiewicz (11-1 overall, 8-1 at No. 2) and No. 3 singles player freshman Neena Katauskas (9-1).

Trinh took over at No. 1 singles when senior Olena Bilukha suffered an ankle injury that has prevented her from playing much of the season. Bilukha has won 36 consecutive No. 1 singles matches over three years and 53 singles overall including 17-0 as a freshman.

Bilukha is set to play No. 1 doubles with junior teammate Madeline Meer in the state tournament. The pair is 6-0 as a team. Junior Emily Ershtein and freshman Lila David are teaming up at No. 2 doubles.

Other Class 5A girls’ teams in action today include Arabia Mountain (5-7-1) playing Grady at the Piedmont Park Tennis Center at 4:00 pm and Southwest DeKalb (8-12) traveling North Springs at 4:30 pm.

Arabia Mountain (5-7) travels to Grady for a 4:00 pm first round match in Class 5A boys’ action and Dunwoody (11-7) is at Winder-Barrow for a 3:00 pm Class 6A boys’ clash.

The Stone Mountain boys’ and girls’ teams are on the road at Calhoun for Class 3A first round play set for 3:30 pm to round out today’s schedule for DeKalb teams.

Nine more teams play on Wednesday led by Region 4-6A boys’ and girls’ champions Tucker. The Tigers (15-2) and Lady Tigers (16-1) swept through the Region 4-6A Tournament to earn No. 1 seeds.

They play host to Evans at 5:00 pm on Wednesday at Hudlow Tennis Courts in Class 6A first round action. Seniors Shawn Lundie (No. 1 singles) and Malik Shakir (No. 3 singles) are both 11-2 while junior No. 2 singles player Usman Jamal is 10-2 on the season.

The Lady Tigers are led by senior Daelyn Turner (11-2) at No. 1 singles and sophomore Summer Clemons (9-1) at No. 2 singles. Freshman Trinyty Turner and junior Jade Warapa are 7-0 in doubles play.

The Region 5-5A boys’ champion Chamblee Bulldogs (13-4) are hosting North Springs in Class 5A first round action. Juniors Sam Lehman (8-2) and Chase Starks (10-4) along with freshman Allen Howell (9-4) lead the way in singles play.

The Lakeside Vikings (8-6-1) and Lady Vikings (8-5) travel to Grayson for 3:00 pm Class 7A first round matches at Rhodes Jordan Tennis Club. Junior Paul Roberts (14-1) and sophomore Niko Reynolds (13-2) lead the way for the Vikings. Sophomore Emily Zhou (8-2) and junior Grace Rickman (8-6) lead the Lady Vikings.

In other Class 5A state tournament action, the Clarkston Angoras and Columbia Lady Eagles travel to Riverwood for matches set for 2:00 pm. The Southwest DeKalb Panthers (12-8) host Decatur at Dottie Bridges at 5:00 pm on Thursday in Class 5A boys’ play.

Druid Hills travel to Burke County for both Class 4A boys’ and girls’ play with the matches set for a 3:00 pm start.

DCSD STATE TENNIS SCHEDULE
Tuesday, April 17
Class 6A
Boys
Dunwoody (11-7) at Winder-Barrow, 3:00 pm

Class 5A
Boys
Arabia Mountain (5-7) at Grady, 4:00 pm
Girls
Decatur at Chamblee (17-0), 4:00 pm
Grady vs. Arabia Mountain (5-7-1), Piedmont Park Tennis Center, 4:00 pm
SW DeKalb (8-12) at North Springs, 4:30 pm

Class 3A
Boys
Stone Mountain (9-5) at Calhoun, 3:30 pm
Girls
Stone Mountain (11-4) at Calhoun, 3:30 pm

Wednesday, April 18
CLASS 7A
Boys
Lakeside (8-6-1) at Grayson, Rhodes Jordan TC, 3:00 pm
Girls
Lakeside (8-5) at Grayson, Rhodes Jordan TC, 3:00 pm

Class 6A
Boys
Evans at Tucker (15-2), Hudlow Tennis Courts, 5:00 pm
Girls
Evans at Tucker (16-1), Hudlow Tennis Courts, 5:00 pm

Class 5A
Boys
North Springs at Chamblee (13-4) 2:30 pm
Clarkston at Riverwood, 2:00 pm
Girls
Columbia (6-3-1) at Riverwood, 2:00 pm

Class 4A
Boys
Druid Hills at Burke Co., 3:00 pm
Girls
Druid Hills at Burke Co., 3:00 pm

Thursday, April 19
Class 5A
Boys
Decatur at SW DeKalb (12-8), Dottie Bridges, 5:00 pm