Lake Oconee Academy’s tennis teams have concluded their 2026 regular seasons.
The boys claimed their fourth consecutive region title, while the girls secured their fifth straight. Both are now preparing for another deep playoff run.
LOA co-head coach Ron Kalpak expressed confidence in his players’ postseason chances. He noted that facing multiple non-region opponents should benefit both teams in the state playoffs.
“We played a lot of non-region matches against some very good teams, and that is valuable experience that you just can’t get in practice,” Kalpak said. “We learned a lot and will be working on fine-tuning so that we can peak, hopefully, in the finals.”
Kalpak said his boys’ team has “seen many changes” this year, with five of the seven athletes in their senior season. He added that each of them is now “playing as if it were their last game.”
“Co-captains Christian Moore and Major Mercer, the No. 1 and No. 2 singles players, have been very solid with victories over quality opponents,” Kalpak said. “And the No. 1 doubles team of Henry Hines and Garrett Griffin is very exciting to watch. I am looking forward to them disrupting other teams’ play with their unrelenting athleticism.”
Kalpak noted that LOA’s girls’ lineup looked a bit different this season, with junior Jamie Beatty competing in several matches at No. 3 singles. He added that he believes sophomore Emi Mokan, the No. 2 singles player, and No. 1 singles player Elizabeth Moore, a junior, will be “forces to be reckoned with” in the playoff brackets.
“We were also so fortunate to add Kayden Hudson to the lineup. She and Grace Kalmanovicz have really begun to gel as a number-one doubles team,” Kalpak said. “They, too, are very athletic and are getting better every match, just in time for the state playoffs.”
Overall, Kalpak said he feels confident that both the boys’ and girls’ lineups will make good efforts in their upcoming postseason matchups. He noted the boys’ team “has a lot to play for,” given its large senior lineup, and that many of the girls on the team are hoping to earn a second state championship ring.
“We will have to have everyone playing their best, and when that happens, we are very difficult to beat,” he stated.