Western Albemarle’s win in the VHSL state finals was a fantastic finish to a dominating season, but the state final match also provided a chance for redemption for the Warriors’ Jamie Thomas, Ben Fitts and Joey Manilla. 

Gabe Kosowitz battled through footwork problems to pick up a three-set victory at No. 2 singles, clinching a 5-0 victory for the Warriors in the Group AA boys tennis team semifinals over Harrisonburg. Western will face Salem this morning at 9 a.m. the finals with the chance to win its second straight state title.

Unfortunately for Western Albemarle’s Joey Manilla, that was not the case — he lost in the state semifinals to Region I champion Elliott Mee of Jamestown in three sets, 6-7 (7-9), 6-2, 6-2, but Artis saw the heart of a champion.

In Sterling, Western Albemarle sophomore Joey Manilla made sure his team would get the most out of a trip to southwest Virginia next week.

Western Albemarle’s core of seniors got them to the Region II final, but the Warriors’ underclassmen put them over the top.

Western Albemarle’s tennis program added two more trophies to its case on Thursday in the Jefferson District singles championships.

Anyone who knows Joey Manilla isn’t too surprised that the sophomore is the No. 1 player for the Western Albemarle boys tennis team.

There is no doubt that the Western Albemarle boys tennis team is peaking at the right time. And it was never more apparent than yesterday, as the Warriors downed Covenant in a showdown of two of the area’s top tennis teams.