JACKSON — Seniors Anna C. Moak, Jerrod Rayborn, Alan Gray,Justin Smith and Sarah Taylor set the standard and the BrookhavenAcademy tennis team marched to the Class AA State Tournamentchampionships Wednesday at Bridges Tennis Center.

Moak and Rayborn swept No. 1 singles. Gray captured No. 2 boyssingles. Smith and Taylor rallied in the sweat-soaked third set towin mixed doubles.

Also winning championships for Brookhaven were Rosemary Moak inNo. 2 girls singles, Dudley Lampton and Michael Wilson in No. 1boys doubles, and Alex Lea and Sydney Moak in No. 2 girlsdoubles.

BA was runner-up in No. 1 girls doubles. Indianola’s MargaretRoss Long and Mary Chandler Allen defeated Betsy Lynch and NicoleSmith 6-1, 6-0 in the finals.

“Overall, obviously my seniors stepped up,” said BA tennis coachAlan Taylor. “Anna C. did great. Jerrod won 7-5 in the thirdset.

“We had great support from the whole team,” said Taylor. “Theydug down deep and won it for us. Their hard work paid off.”

Brookhaven Academy’s girls amassed 8 points to beat runner-upIndianola Academy. BA’s boys accounted for 7 points and beatrunner-up Winston Academy’s 3 1/2.

Coach Taylor said the day-long tournament had a specialconclusion for his squad. “Justin and Sarah were down 5-2 in thethird set. After we watched Jerrod win his third set, we all wentover and cheered them on to victory.”

Smith and Taylor lost the first set of mixed doubles 6-4 toJeremy Hill and Elizabeth Ballard of Winston Academy. Theyrebounded to win the second set 6-1 before taking the finale7-5.