Chamblee’s Bryce Starks (top) and Rudy Bhukhanwala (bottom) were in singles action against Calhoun in the Bulldogs’ 4-0 first round playoff victory. (Photos by Mark Brock)
A 4-0 victory over the Calhoun Yellow Jackets on Wednesday at GSU Perimeter-Dunwoody propelled the Chamblee Bulldogs into the Class 5A tennis state playoffs Sweet 16.
Senior Andrew Pietkiewicz got the ball rolling with a 6-0, 6-0 straight set victory over Chris Arnold at No. 1 singles.
Bryce Starks claimed the win at No. 2 singles pulling away from a 5-5 tie in the first set to win 7-5 before taking a 6-3 second set to complete the two-set win over Calhoun’s Will Meadows.
Chamblee’s No. 1 doubles team of Kai Henderson and Nathan Aresh led 4-3 in the first set before winning eight of the next nine games to complete a 6-3, 6-1 win to seal the win for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs picked up a win at No. 2 doubles behind the duo of William Hackney and Rishav Rangathan won 6-3, 6-2 over Calhoun’s Dean Starkey and EV Gallman.
Chamblee’s Rudy Bhukhanwala dropped a tough 7-5 first set and was up 2-0 in the second set when the match ended.
The Bulldogs (12-8) will go on the road in the second round against Woodward Academy, a 5-0 winner over Wayne County. The date and time are yet to be announced.
DCSD TENNIS STATE PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
CLASS 3A BOYS FIRST ROUND
Redan at Cherokee Bluff, TBA
Wednesday, 4/20
CLASS 5A BOYS FIRST ROUND
Chamblee (12-8) 4, Calhoun 0
CLASS 7A GIRLS FIRST ROUND
Dunwoody (14-4) 3, Cherokee 0
Thursday, 4/21
CLASS 6A BOYS SECOND ROUND
DEKALB TENNIS CENTER
Wheeler vs. Lakeside (14-2), 4:00 pm
MATCHES TBA
CLASS 5A GIRLS SECOND ROUND
Chamblee (13-6-1) at Woodward Academy, TBA
CLASS 5A BOYS SECOND ROUND
Chamblee (12-8) at Woodward Academy, TBA
CLASS 6A GIRLS SECOND ROUND
Lakeside (10-6) at Pope, TBA
CLASS 7A BOYS SECOND ROUND
North Paulding at Dunwoody (12-3), TBA
CLASS 7A GIRLS SECOND ROUND
Camden County at Dunwoody (14-4), TBA