Led by Players of the Year Juan Jimenez (boys) and Valeria Lopez (girls), the Celebration Storm dominates the Osceola News Gazette’s All-County Tennis Teams for the 2024 season.
The Gateway Panthers made some noise, qualifying for the girls state tournament for the first time in school history. Still, the most impressive performance came from the Storm – who obliterated the field at the OBC Championships in both boys and girls tennis.
Led by ONG Lopez at the No. 1 singles spot, the Storm won their third consecutive OBC Championship by sending all five singles and both doubles teams to the finals. Celebration, who won 20 of a possible 21 matches, took home four singles and both doubles tournament titles.
The Celebration girls, 13-3 on the season, won the district title, and defeated George Jenkins and East Lake in regionals before falling to undefeated state champion Steinbrenner in the Region 4A-4 finals. Lopez (14-1) went undefeated in the regular season singles play and did not lose a match until the regional final. She also qualified for the individual state singles and doubles championship in earning Player of the Year honors.
Lopez is joined on the girls All-County Team by Celebration OBC singles champions Diana Perez, Gabriella Castro and Naiya Beaumont. Storm No. 5 player Alexa Perez also earns an atlarge spot on the team.
Gateway, which finished second in the OBC girls tournament, placed three athletes on the All-ONG team including Anaila Cooks, Zukaika Hanafi and No. 5 line OBC champion Anisa Hanfi. Rounding out the All-ONG Girls team was Cassandra Borchers and Isabella Halk from St. Cloud. The Panthers defeated Okochobee and upset South Fork by a 4-3 score to win its regional championship and advance to the 3A State Championship Tournament.
Behind No. 1 player Jimenez and No. 2 Cayman Pearce, Celebration boys’ team was almost as dominant as the Lady Storm. They captured four singles and one doubles championship at OBC’s and won 17 of 21 matches, with two of the losses coming via injury default.
In addition to Jimenez and Pearce, Celebration players on the All-ONG Team included OBC singles champs Gabriel Santos and Spencer Sterry.
Other All-County members include Matt Lam (OBC Champion No. 4 singles line), Kyan Vonk, and Gabriel Gonzalez from Gateway High, Brody Ansbaugh from St. Cloud, Cole Nelson of Harmony and Tohopekaliga’s Josue Dickson.
“Our program has been blessed with some exceptional tennis players in recent years” Celebration Coach Rachel Holt said. But players like Valeria and Juan have been a coach’s dream. Both these players are so dedicated and work so hard but they are also the type of player that will leave their ego at the gate and are great teammates. They are both well-deserving of these accolades.”
Lopez will play college tennis at Palm Beach Atlantic University; while Jimenez will return to Celebration for his senior season.
All-County Tennis:
Boys: Player of the Year Juuan Jimenez, Celebration
Coach of the Year Rachel Holt
All-County Team Celebration: Cayman Pearce, Gabriel Santos, Spencer Sterry; Gateway: Matt Lam, Kyan Vonk, Gabriel Gonzalez; Tohopekaliga: Josue Dickson; St. Cloud: Brody Ansbaugh; Harmony: Cole Nelson
Girls: Player of the Year Valeria Lopez, Celebration
Coach of the Year: Jeremiah Swartz, Gateway
All-County Team Celebration: Diana Perez, Gabriella Castro, Naiya Beaumont, Alexa Perez; Gateway: Snisa Hanafi, Anaila Cooks, Zulaika Hanafi; St. Cloud: Cassandra Borchers, Isabella Halk.
