True North girls repeat as Class 1A state tennis champions, Titans boys fall in finals
As has been the case in multiple sports, It hasn’t taken long for Miami True North Classical Academy to become a powerhouse in high school tennis.
The Titans added another state championship to their growing collection on Thursday afternoon when their girls squad secured their second consecutive title following a dominant 4-0 win against Boca Raton St. Andrews at Red Bug Lake Park in Casselberry, Fla.
Alba Martinez led the Titans by winning her singles match 6-0, 6-3 and then teaming with Daniela Chica for a 3-5, 4-1, 10-2 win at No. 1 doubles.
“I feel privileged and honored to be able to play for True North and it’s given us opportunities to prove that we belong on the courts with the toughest teams in the state,” Chica, a junior, said. “It’s a great experience that will prepare me better for playing at the collegiate level.”
Luciana Chica also won her singles match, 6-0, 6-2 and then teamed with Alessia Franco to sweep their No. 2 doubles match 4-0, 4-0.
“As defending champions, I felt like our girls were locked in and focused this year,” True North coach Andre Chow said. “We got the 2-0 lead and felt comfortable going into the singles and the girls went out there and executed to perfection.”
Chica, however, lost in the girls’ singles individual semifinals 7-6 (5), 6-2, 11-9 to Pensacola Catholic’s Gabriela Goyins. She and Martinez, however, advanced to the individual bracket doubles final after sweeping Goyins and Maria Bush, 4-0, 4-0.
Unfortunately for True North, it was unable to sweep the meet as the Titans boys dropped their state final match against St. Andrews 4-0. The Titans were leading in three other matches at the time St. Andrews secured the clinching result to win the state title.
On the boys’ side, Brennon Chow and Caleb Chow advanced to the state finals following a 4-1, 4-2 victory over Melbourne Holy Trinity’s Frederic Tu and Ryder Collins. Tu beat Brennon Chow, however, in the boys individual singles 6-4, 6-0.
OTHER NOTABLES
▪ North Broward Prep freshman Max Freedman won the Class 2A overall boys singles state championship on Wednesday. Freedman beat MAST Academy’s Alessandro Sanchez Zaccaria 6-4, 6-3 in the final and finished with a 28-6 overall record.
▪ St. Thomas Aquinas’ girls’ doubles tandem of Sophia Pacheco and Rowan Cicero will play in the 3A finals tomorrow after their opponents withdrew on Thursday.
Both of the Raiders squads advanced to the 3A team finals where they were set to face Naples Barron Collier.
This story was originally published May 2, 2024 at 6:10 PM.
