Warren Central wins 6A tennis state championship

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Monday night became a defining moment for the Warren Central High School tennis program, as the Vikings captured the MHSAA Class 6A state championship with a 5-2 victory over West Jones.

The title was bittersweet for head coach Steve Summers, who closed out his final season with a championship before departing for Neshoba Central.

“This was a lot of investment and hard work but it feels great,” Summers said. “It’s bittersweet and going home is big for my family and leaving is never easy but I don’t know a better way to part ways than with a state championship.”

Warren Central advanced to the finals earlier in the day by defeating Picayune, then took control in the championship round by winning five of seven matches.

Sydney Sullivan and Lili Feibelman delivered a 6-3, 6-4 win in girls doubles No. 1. The moment was emotional as the pair reflected on the achievement.

“This feels amazing and I can’t believe we did it,” Sullivan said as she was in tears from the win. “I’m so happy that I could do this with Sydney and I’m so proud of everyone,” Feibelman added.

Gray Lampkin and Luke Bond secured a key victory in boys doubles No. 2 with a 7-6, 6-3 win.

“I want to give all glory to God,” Bond said. “We couldn’t have got this far without him but this win was complete and we finally did it.”

“All glory goes to God and I want to thank everyone for getting me to this point but we knew that it would happen at some point,” Lampkin added.

Duke Esparza and Marlee Solomon earned a 6-2, 6-3 victory in mixed doubles, while Ellie Tennison and Avery Hern won girls doubles No. 2, 6-3, 6-4. In singles play, Whitt Loper defeated William Taylor 6-1, 6-1 to help seal the championship.

The title marks a milestone for the Warren Central tennis program, etching this team into school history and sending it out on top with a finish that won’t soon be forgotten.