Head coach Greg Crawford’s Spalding High tennis teams knew a lot was riding on Wednesday afternoon’s regular season-ending match against visiting Eagle’s Landing. The teams responded in like fashion, the Jags by winning 5-0 to clinch first place outright in Region 4-AAA and the Lady Jags by winning 3-2 to finish in a three-way tie for first heading into next week’s region tournament.

“Who finishes first will come down to who scored the most points in their matches,” said Crawford, whose girls team finished tied for first in the region with No. 7-state ranked Eagle’s Landing and No. 9 ranked Drew.

The only loss for the Lady Jags (12-2 overall, 8-1 region) came against Drew. Consequently, Eagle’s Landing beat Drew.

On Wednesday Bea Dallas won 8-2 at No. 2 singles and Savannah Edwards and Lib Moore teamed up to win 8-3 at No. 2 doubles on a day where it all came down to Dallas McKenzie at No. 3 singles. McKenzie Dallas and her opponent were tied 7-all at one point before McKenzie Dallas rallied to win the last two points for the victory and more importantly the third and match-clinching point for the team.

“It was tough on the far end of the court,” she said on a day where wind gusts between 7-12 mph made it a challenge for all.

The Spalding boys (11-3 overall, 6-0) dominated much as they have all season in region play, blanking ELHS (4-5 region). Leading the charge for Spalding were Brett Piland (8-1) at No. 1 singles, Hez Apperson (8-1) at No. 2 singles, Colby Willis (8-0) at No. 3 singles, Daniel Blake and Andrew Winter (8-2) at No. 1 doubles and Barrett Lavender and Ben Eady (8-3) at No. 2 doubles.