The St. Louis Catholics boys tennis team needed every point it could claim to win their fifth consecutive state championship during Friday’s state tournament at Forsythe Park in Monroe.

The Saints held off Isidore Newman to win the Division III team championship 12.5 to 9, while juniors Carter Brinkman and Conner Istre won the doubles title.

“It was phenomenal,” St. Louis head coach Robert Piper said. “They really saved the best for last.

“The results speak for themselves. They did very well. They all played extremely good tennis on both days. There was a lot of strong competition, and they performed well.

“We sent eight boys up there, and we needed every win we got,” Piper said. “Each team or individual won at least one
match.

“That is what it takes to win a team championship.”

The key point was in the doubles semifinals. Brinkman and Istre lost the first set to Parkview Baptist’s Samuel Bullentini and Jackson Belcher 6-3, but won the next two 6-2, 6-4 to reach the final.

“They were just consistent,” Piper said. “They are great players. Consistency in high school tennis is important, and not having a lot of unforced errors. They were able to do that and very well.”

The Saints almost pulled an all-St. Louis final, but Dunham’s George Harrod and Milo Johnston beat Bennett Farque and Miller McFatter in three sets, 2-7, 6-2, 1-6 in the other semifinal.

“They were two nail-biters, both matches,” Piper said of the semifinal doubles matches. “We would have loved to have both in the final. That was what we were hoping for. It almost did.”

St. Louis’ top singles player, Grayson Hobgood reached the quarterfinals before eventual state champion Brody Matherne of St. Charles Catholic swept him 6-0, 6-0. Joseph Caraway reached the singles second round, while Jacob Istre and Max Mixon reached the doubles second round.