Seabreeze boys tennis team aces Class 3A Regional Championship

The Seabreeze boys tennis team won their Class 3A regional finals match against Lyman on Thursday, April 20.

  • By Michele Meyers
  • | 5:36 p.m. April 25, 2023
  • Ormond Beach Observer
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Seabreeze tennis player Bryce Gornto was the last to finish his match at No. 4 singles against Lyman’s Om Pande in the Sandcrabs’ Class 3A regional final on the Embry-Riddle University courts, Thursday, April 20. 

The match would determine if the Seabreeze boys go to the first round of the state championship on April 24 at Sanlando Park. 

The Sandcrabs won 4-0 to advance to the state quarterfinals where they lost 4-0 to Wiregrass Ranch. 

“On the first set, I was getting in the groove,” Gornto said of the regional final match. “I was hitting those backhands more — not giving him any easy shots. I was moving around the court a little more to make him tired and make him move.” 

His teammates gathered on the bleachers to cheer him on as he clinched a 6-0, 6-2 win, which guaranteed them a spot in the first round of the 3A state championship. It was the first time since 2016 the team had made a showing at the tournament. 

“Once I saw everyone coming over, I’m like, ‘Don’t choke this, don’t choke this,’” he said. 

These guys are great. They’re going to remember this forever. They are probably going to be in touch with each other forever. No matter where life takes them, I think they are going to be like, this was my tennis buddy. This was the team that went to states. Achieving something like this just really binds you—like forever. - Trishna Patel, Seabreeze tennis coach


Gornto started playing at 10 years old and took a break at the age of 13. He came back in 2019 to join the Seabreeze team. 

“I love playing with these guys,” he said. “These guys are like my brothers. My coach is maybe the best coach I’ve ever had.” 

No. 1 player Leo Kwetkus played his 100th match at the regional final, where he lost to Brock Masters 6-0, 6-1. He’s been playing since he was 12 and hopes to continue in college. 

“A lot of unforced errors (in the match),” he said. 

Coach Trishna Patel believes that the moments that happened during Gornto’s match were a learning experience. She said the weight of it could not be ignored as his teammates watched him try to get them to the state championship. 

“The match teeter-tottered a little bit in the second set, and he composed himself,” she said. “It’s not so much that he had a difficult opponent, but he dealt with a difficult situation. This experience, you cannot replicate. This is a special moment for him.” 

Going into states, Patel stressed to the players to do what they have been doing and continue their level of play. She reminded them that anything can happen. 

“These guys are great,” she said. “They’re going to remember this forever. They are probably going to be in touch with each other forever. No matter where life takes them, I think they are going to be like, ‘This was my tennis buddy. This was the team that went to states.’ Achieving something like this just really binds you — forever.” 

 

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