Rabun County boys tennis defeats Swainsboro as Wildcats advance to first-ever state semifinal

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County boys tennis team poses for a photo after its 4-0 win over Swainsboro in the Elite Eight at Rabun County High School on May 4. The win for the Wildcats secured their first Final Four appearance in program history for the boys. RCHS will host Model Friday afternoon in the semifinals.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County junior Cobe Smith celebrates after earning a point in his singles match versus Swainsboro in the Elite Eight on May 4. Smith and the Wildcats will host Model on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the Final Four.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County junior Landan Bedingfield loads up to strike the ball during RCHS’ state playoff match versus Swainsboro on May 4. The doubles pairing of Bedingfield and RCHS senior Brady Darnell earned the match-clinching point with a 6-0, 6-3 win.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County freshman Jack Getty returns the ball during his singles match versus Swainsboro in the state playoffs on May 4 at Rabun County High School. Getty, the son of RCHS boys tennis head coach Bryan Getty, was victorious 6-0, 6-0.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. : Rabun County’s Andrew Conner strikes the ball during his doubles match with teammate Braylon Kelly versus Swainsboro in the Elite Eight at Rabun County High School on May 4. Conner and Kelly were victorious on No. 2 doubles, 6-1, 6-1.