Advancing to the 2026 KHSAA Team Tennis State Championships, Daviess County’s girls’ team and Owensboro Catholic’s boys team both saw their tournament runs come to an end on Friday morning. The Lady Panthers fell 3-0 to South Warren, who eventually fell to Sacred Heart 3-0 in the finals.
“The girls left everything out on the court, and that is all I could ever ask for. South Warren is a great team, and it’s tough at the end of the season, knowing we won’t have this same group of girls again,” Daviess County Head Coach Dylan McDuffee said. “Last year was a tough bar to beat, but we somehow exceeded expectations. I know it’s only my second year, but this is one that I will remember forever. It was truly a special group.”
Having beaten Covington Catholic earlier in the year, the boys dropped a heartbreaker in the rematch, 3-2. Covington Catholic eventually lost to St. Xavier in the finals 3-0. For the Aces, Ollie Haines won his singles match 6-1, 6-0, and the doubles team of Joseph Merchant and Luke Pfeifer came out on top 6-1, 6-3.
“First season in the books as head coach. Our two main goals in February were to have each player qualify for individual state and make it to day two of the Team State Tournament,” Owensboro Catholic boys Head Coach Branden Haines said. “Through hard work and sacrifice, we achieved our goals. I’m very proud of the boys and the dedication they had each day. Luke Pfeifer is our lone senior, and he has a lot to be proud of.”
