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Spruce Creek rattles off third straight district girls tennis title, FPC boys place second

Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal
·4 min read

PALM COAST — A small crowd waited on Melissa Perman.

As soon as she sealed a win over Taylor Miller of Forest in the No. 3 singles finals Tuesday at the Palm Coast Tennis Center, the Spruce Creek Hawks swung open the court’s door. Coach Jeremy Davies got to Perman first and gave her a hug. Then, junior Campbell Bundza. Then, sophomore Giselle Adekunle. Eventually, half a dozen Hawks congratulated the senior.

Perman’s third-set victory clinched Spruce Creek’s third straight District 2-4A title. The Hawks racked up 19 points — compared to runner-up Forest’s 12 — winning all but the No. 4 singles championship.

“I was definitely really happy for her, happy for our team,” Adekunle said.

Spruce Creek's Giselle Adekunle hits a shot during a doubles match with teammate Kayla Wheeler in the District 2-4A Tournament, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Palm Coast Tennis Center.
Spruce Creek's Giselle Adekunle hits a shot during a doubles match with teammate Kayla Wheeler in the District 2-4A Tournament, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Palm Coast Tennis Center.

Adekunle also did her part. She wrapped up league crowns in No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles with junior Kayla Wheeler, securing spots in the state brackets even if her team does not advance through regionals next week.

The first regional match will take place Tuesday. Spruce Creek will host.

Like Adekunle, Hawks junior Zane Ensminger completed the same feat on the boys side. He won in No. 1 singles and teamed with senior Demario Dawkins for a triumph in No. 1 doubles to book their state trips.

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Spruce Creek's Demario Dawkins serves during a doubles match with teammate Zane Ensminger in the District 2-4A Tournament, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Palm Coast Tennis Center.
Spruce Creek's Demario Dawkins serves during a doubles match with teammate Zane Ensminger in the District 2-4A Tournament, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Palm Coast Tennis Center.

Spruce Creek entered as the defending boys champion and placed third with 10 points.

Flagler Palm Coast jumped the Hawks, coming in second with 15 points. The Bulldogs trailed only Buchholz (16). They moved on to regionals and will hit the road for the first round next Tuesday.

Flagler Palm Coast’s girls squad ranked third (10 points).

“It feels amazing,” said sophomore Adam Stochel-Polubiec, who ran through the No. 2 singles bracket. “It's my first time doing this, so it's a new experience.”

Flagler Palm Coast's Adam Stochel-Polubiec slides to hit a return shot during a doubles match with teammate Andrew Shotkin in the District 2-4A Tournament, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Palm Coast Tennis Center.
Flagler Palm Coast's Adam Stochel-Polubiec slides to hit a return shot during a doubles match with teammate Andrew Shotkin in the District 2-4A Tournament, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Palm Coast Tennis Center.

After Monday, the Bulldog boys possessed 11 points and a share of first with Buchholz. Their girls were tied for second with Spruce Creek with nine points. The Hawks also held sole possession of second place with seven points in the boys standings.

Spruce Creek competed without sophomore Irina Tabacila. Usually a No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles player, Tabacila sat out with a shoulder injury. The Hawks hope to have her back for the next round.

To fill Tabacila’s positions, sophomore Keilana Irvin stepped into the top five, bumping Bundza up to No. 4 singles and Perman to No. 3.

Davies rearranged his doubles pairings, too. He paired Adekunle with Wheeler and Perman with Irvin. Neither duo had played together prior to last week.

“The girls, they did their job,” Davies said. “Obviously, being down one of your top five is never easy, but they really rallied and put the team first. Whatever they needed to do to win as a team, they did that today at all levels.”

Adekunle and Wheeler claimed their finals match in two sets over Forest’s top partnership.

“Kayla is a really good player,” Adekunle said. “We definitely played really good. We didn't really have a hard time (adjusting) since we know each other.”

Flagler Palm Coast's Joshua Thorpe volleys near the net during a match doubles match with teammate Alex Berenblit in the District 2-4A Tournament, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Palm Coast Tennis Center.
Flagler Palm Coast's Joshua Thorpe volleys near the net during a match doubles match with teammate Alex Berenblit in the District 2-4A Tournament, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Palm Coast Tennis Center.

For the Flagler Palm Coast boys, the only setback they suffered Monday was in No. 1 singles, where freshman Andrew Shkotkin had to retire from his second match due to cramps.

But the Bulldogs charged to the finals in No. 2, 3, 4 and 5 singles and No. 2 doubles.

“I thought they locked in, and they focused,” coach Javier Bevacqua said. “When we were sitting at those semifinals matches, we really took control of the matches. We didn't leave any doubt behind, and we took control early on and won the match.”

Both Spruce Creek and Flagler Palm Coast will learn their first regional opponents Wednesday.

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Girls standings

  • 1. Spruce Creek — 19 points

  • 2. Forest — 12

  • 3. Flagler Palm Coast — 10

  • 4. Buchholz — 8

  • T-5. DeLand — 0

  • T-5. University — 0

  • T-5. West Port — 0

Boys standings

  • 1. Buchholz — 16

  • 2. Flagler Palm Coast — 15

  • 3. Spruce Creek — 10

  • 4. University — 3

  • T-5. Forest — 2

  • T-5. West Port — 2

  • 7. DeLand — 0

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: High school tennis: Spruce Creek girls win 3rd straight district title