The Ware County Gator tennis teams opened play at the Statesboro Slam on Thursday, February 19, 2026, as both the Lady Gators and Varsity Boys faced a strong Statesboro squad in day one tournament action.
The Lady Gators competed with determination throughout the afternoon but ultimately fell by a set score of 0-5. Despite the final score, Ware County continued to battle point-by-point against a talented Statesboro lineup, gaining valuable experience early in tournament play.
On the boys’ side, the Gators dropped a 4-1 decision in their opening match, highlighted by an impressive individual performance from junior Miles Smith.
Smith Shines in Loss
Smith provided the lone victory for Ware County, showing resilience and composure at second singles. After dropping the opening set, Smith rallied to even the match before capturing the win in a third-set tiebreak. The comeback victory marked Smith’s fourth consecutive singles win, continuing a strong stretch of play for the junior.
While the overall team result did not go in Ware County’s favor, the Gators displayed competitive spirit throughout the lineup and gained valuable momentum heading into the next round of tournament play.
Up Next
The Ware County Varsity tennis teams will return to the courts Friday, February 20, 2026, as the Statesboro Slam continues. The Gators will face Wayne County in the consolation round and are also scheduled to play a second match later in the day with the opponent to be announced.
With another full day of matches ahead, Ware County will look to build on Thursday’s lessons and finish the tournament strong.