PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — The Gallia Academy tennis team had two players advance to the district level this week following the completion of the Division II boys sectional tennis tournament held at Portsmouth High School in Scioto County.

The Blue Devil duo of Kelle Craft and Sean Saltzgaber — a senior and freshman respectively — advanced to the Athens regional this weekend following a 5-1 overall mark at sectionals in first doubles.

The pair won three straight matches over teams from Washington Court House, Portsmouth Clay and Unioto before dropping a match to third-seeded Lucasville Valley. Craft and Saltzgaber rallied for wins over New Boston and Wheelersburg to wrap up a No. 5 seed at the district level on Saturday (May 19).

Unfortunately for the Blue Devils — who finished the season with a 9-5 overall mark and second in the SEOAL — the rest of the season is over for the Blue and White.

Connor Christian earned wins over Unioto and Valley in second singles before being eliminated by the No. 2 seeded player from Hillsboro. The second doubles squad of Alex Gagucas and Riley Nibert also earned a win over New Boston, but was eliminated by top-seeded Waverly in the following contest.

Jared Lester and Zach Stewart also lost their respective opening matches in first and third singles to players from Portsmouth Notre Dame.

Gaguras, Lester and Kyle Taylor also completed their final matches in the Blue and White as seniors.