It all came down to the finals doubles match of the day, but Providence’s boys tennis team completed an undefeated season with a N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A state championship.

After losing in last year’s final, the Panthers beat reigning state champion Green Hope 5-4 in the 4A dual team championship at the Burlington Tennis Center on Monday. The match could not have been much closer than it was.

Green Hope and Providence split singles play and entered doubles competition with a 3-3 tie.

Jack DiMenna and Daniel Rohlman won the No. 1 and No. 2 singles for Providence by scores of 6-1, 6-1 and 6-2, 3-6 (10-6) respectively. Collin Cushman won No. 6 singles 3-6, 6-3 (12-10).

The Falcons picked up wins from Brij Bhatt, Bivek Indlamuri, and Madeshan Muruganardm in No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 singles.

In the doubles portion, Providence’s DiMenna and Toby Stamps made quick work of No. 2 doubles with an 8-1 win, but Green Hope’s Bhatt and Muruganardm won the No. 3 doubles 8-3 to keep the score tied at 4-4.

The championship came down to the No. 1 doubles, where Green Hope’s Stephen Gervase and Indlamuri held a 5-4 lead, but that lead did not last. Rohlman, who was named the championship’s most valuable player, and Grant Partridge won four of the last five points, taking the No. 1 doubles match 8-6 and lifting the Panthers to the 4A state title.

This is the first time since 2007 that Providence has won a dual team boys tennis state championship. Last year, the Panthers were the runner-up after they lost to Green Hope 5-1. Providence finishes the season with an 18-0 record.

Green Hope’s season ends with a state runner-up finish and a 20-2 record.

The NCHSAA recognizes one player from each team with the Sportsmanship Award. The recipients in the 4A championship were Brij Bhatt of Green Hope and Grant Partridge of Providence.

Box Score: Providence 5, Green Hope 4

Singles Matches

#1 — Jack DiMenna (Providence) def. Aidan Xu (Green Hope) 6-1, 6-1

#2 — Daniel Rohlman (Providence) def. Stephen Gervase (Green Hope) 6-2, 3-6 (10-6)

#3 — Brij Bhatt (Green Hope) def. Grant Partridge (Providence) 4-6, 6-2 (10-8)

#4 — Bivek Indlamuri (Green Hope) def. Toby Stamps (Providence) 6-2, 6-3

#5 — Madeshan Muruganardm (Green Hope) def. Hudson Quick (Providence) 6-0, 6-3

#6 — Collin Cushman (Providence) def. Agastya Maheshivari (Green Hope) 3-6, 6-3 (12-10)

Doubles Matches

#1 — Daniel Rohlman/Grant Partridge (Providence) def. Stephen Gervase/Bivek Indlamuri (Green Hope) 8-6

#2 — Jack DiMenna/Toby Stamps (Providence) def. Aidan Xu/Agastya Maheshivari (Green Hope) 8-1

#3 — Brij Bhatt/Madeshan Muruganardm (Green Hope) def. Hudson Quick/Collin Cushman (Providence) 8-3

4A Dual-Team Championship MVP — Daniel Rohlman (Providence)

Sportsmanship Award — Brij Bhatt (Green Hope) & Grant Partridge (Providence)

Source: highschoolot.com