The weeklong tournament included 19 schools in the Albuquerque region. The Academy Chargers, the reigning Metro champions, came out on top with the Metro trophy, accumulating 21.5 points as a team, five more than the second place La Cueva Bears.
The tournament also featured singles and doubles competition, singles with a 64-player draw and doubles with 32.
Chargers co-captain Connor Dils ’24, who was the number one seed in the singles draw, won the final, taking down second-seed Leo Rocca ’24 of Albuquerque High School in an exhausting and thrilling three-set match 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. Despite Dils trailing 0-3 and later Rocca’s serving for the match at 5-4 in the decisive set, Connor managed to save three championship points and then broke Rocca’s serve. Dils then went on to take the next two games, ending the thriller on a beautiful forehand lob over Rocca’s head, capturing the Metro singles title.
Dils, who lost in the Metro final last year, said that this win was particularly sweet.
“It feels super good to win the Metro. It’s great to finish with a title I didn’t have before.”
Dils also spoke about his strategy and how he played.
“Heading into the match, I knew I needed to take my opportunities as they came and to execute. The match would be on my racket. I did a good job fighting and staying solid on my backhand and not giving him a chance for easy points.”
Dils also said that he was pleased with his team’s performance in the tournament.
“It’s great to see the team succeed for another year and for my senior year. We all did well and fought past expectations. I’m proud of everyone.”
Co-captain Austin Curtis ’25, who was the fourth seed, earned third place, beating the three seed Jaime Moran ’26 from La Cueva in a critical third-fourth place match. Despite losing a long and hard-fought first set 5-7, Curtis battled back winning the next two sets 6-2 and 6-4.
The Chargers also won the doubles championship.
The second-seeded team of Jacob Anderson ’25 and Abbott Carothers ’25 helped contribute to Academy’s great success, upsetting the one-seeded La Cueva doubles team 6-3, 6-4 in the final.
Simultaneously, the girls varsity team performed well as they finished in second place among all the schools, earning 13.5 points, five points behind the La Cueva High School Bears.
First-year Academy boys tennis head coach Tim Cass said he was happy with his team’s performance during this important competition.
“I was very proud of the team for their sportsmanship, effort and togetherness. It was a special week and winning Metro is something that current and past players cherish.”
The coach also spoke about his thoughts heading into the upcoming District and State championships.
“I’m very excited to have an opportunity to continue our undefeated season and represent the Academy. This is such a special school, and we all take great pride in wearing our school colors and trying to win titles.”
This season the boys varsity tennis team has racked up an impressive record of 14-0. The District Championships begin on Thursday May 2nd and as the team looks ahead it hopes to serve up a 21st consecutive State championship.
