Chris Lundy's Dawson County High School boys' tennis team is ready for Region 8-AA tournament play.

The Tigers had two matches to tune-up for the event last week. Dawson swept Gilmer County, 5-0, before losing to Chestatee, 0-5.

The Tigers will travel to North Oconee on Thursday. The team will host the Titans at 8 a.m.

Dawson County made it look easy against Gilmer County on April 10.

The Tigers won every singles and doubles match to take the win in Ellijay.

Winning singles matches were: Spencer Roper, 8-2, over Will Luke, Luke Branson beat Ross Henderson, 8-2, and Max Muldoon defeated Stephen Sheehan, 8-2.

At No. 1 doubles, Lane Venters and Jeremiah Freedlund beat Mel Moseley and Joey Ray, 8-2. Tyler Griggs and Grant Shope defeated Deven Hedden and Chris Waters, 8-3.

"The guys played great," Lundy said. "It's encouraging to see them play that way right before our region tournament. All I expect of them is to play their hardest and best."

On April 12 the Tigers traveled to Gainesville to play Chestatee.

The singles players struggled and lost all three matches.

At No. 1 singles, Luke Branson lost to Jonathan Cook, 1-6, 2-6. Spencer Roper lost at No. 2 singles 2-6, 0-6 to Eagle Jeremiah Reed. Tiger Riley Westbrook lost at No. 3 singles, 0-6, 1-6 to Juan Camron.

Dawson's No. 1 doubles team had a great match against Chestatee. Lane Venters and Jeremiah Freedlund lost a closely contested two-set match 5-7 and 4-6.

Grant Shope and Tyler Griggs fought at No. 2 doubles before falling 4-6, 2-6 to Blain Brown and Dillan Stapler.

"Despite the losses, the guys played great. Sometimes to measure success you have to look at more than the score. Chestatee is a really good team. There were a lot of really good moments against them. This was great practice before we play North Oconee next week at the region tournament," Lundy said.

The Lady Tigers will also play in the Region 8-AA tournament on Thursday. Coach Jamey Bearden's girls' team will play Jefferson in the first round of the tournament.