Boy's Tennis | 5/10/2024 2:50:00 PM

Florence, SC – Oceanside Collegiate Academy tennis coach Shawn Harris knew going into the spring season that his young team had some big shoes to fill.
 
The Landsharks came in riding a streak of three consecutive Class AA state title, but the players were unapologetic in their goal of running that streak to four straight titles.
 
"Most proud of this team for setting a goal from the beginning of the season to win the state championship, and how they went about it to do just that," Harris said after his group dispatched the team from Christ Episcopal Church last Saturday 6-0 to win their fourth straight Class AA title.
 
"The leadership of my two senior captains, Devin Ruhotina and Will Ramey, was great and the support everyone had for each other from the top to the bottom of the lineup.  The respect they gave to their opponents, and having a great attitude that comes with good sportsmanship."
 
The Landsharks were never seriously threatened on the court on their way to another championship, posting an 11-0 record on the year while dropping only four points all season.
 
"This group of players we have is very dedicated, and determined," Harris said. "They love representing and playing for OCA. The hard work they put in on and off the court is very impressive. All this is the reason why this team was so dominant.
 

Their convincing victory in the title match was made even more impressive by the fact they were missing their No. 1 player, senior Devin Ruhotina, who is committed to play collegiality at the College of Charleston next year.
 
"We didn't have Devin at the team state championship because of a prior engagement he could not miss," Harris said. "So, the other players, who are almost all returning next year got a lot of experience at state this year. Knowing they didn't have their top player, and still winning the State Championship, was impressive."
 
With all the players except Ruhotina and Ramey, who will attend Clemson University in the fall, returning for the 2025 season, there is already talk of winning a fifth consecutive title.
 
"They are already excited for next season even though we move to AAA, and they are ready for that challenge," Harris said.
 

In the title winning victory over Christ Church, the Landsharks' Luke Skillman won in convincing fashion (6-0, 6-0) at the No. 1 position, and Jackson Nichols had almost as easy a time, winning 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2. Huck Reynolds won a point at No. 3, winning 6-2, 6-0 and Helms Sander took a point at No. 4, winning 6-2, 6-1.
 
Ramey coasted to a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 5 and the doubles duo of Carter Heath and Graham Anderson won their match 6-0, 6-2 to close out the scoring.
 
Following the team tournament, two of the OCA players –Nichols and Skillman – were slotted into the individual tournament, which was played on Tuesday and Wednesday. The sophomores, who were set in the bracket as the No. 2 and No. 3 seed in the tournament, raced through three matches each on the opening day of play.
  Nichols, the third seed, defeated Sawyer Kolewith of Dreher High 8-2 in the round of 32, dropped Cole Forbes of Gree Sea Floyds 8-3 in the round of 16 and then advance to the semifinal with a tough 8-6 victory over Slake Funderburk of Brookland Cayce.
 
Skillman had an even easier time to reach the semifinals, topping Landon Fennell of Hannah Pamplico 8-0, Charles Orr of Clinton 8-0 and T.O. Mundy of Fox Creek 8-2.
 
The next day, Skillman advanced to the championship match with a straight set (6-1, 6-3) victory over the No. 4 seed Evan Phillips of the Governor's School. Nichols, however, ran into trouble in his match against the top-seeded player in the tournament, Camden's David Pope.
 
"The second day was bitter-sweet for Jackson," Harris said. "He was up 5-2 when his knees started to hurt, so his movement was hampered. He ended up losing the first set in a tie breaker 7-6 (7-1), and then we called it. Jackson had a great chance to win, but health is always first. Jackson has a great career ahead of him and I didn't want to risk a more serious injury."
 

That put Skillman against Pope in the championship match. The Oceanside sophomore was unable to hold off the older, more experienced, player. A senior who is committed to play at Wofford next year, Pope took the individual tournament, downing Skillman 6-4, 6-4.
 
"Luke played well the whole tournament, and played a great Championship finals match," Harris said. "Came up just a little short, but Luke will also just be a junior in high school next year. I am very proud of these two young men, and I am looking forward see what they will accomplish next season."
 
While looking ahead to the new challenges the team will face next spring, it is hard for Harris not to reflect on how far the program has come over the last four years.
 
"It's incredible what our current and past seniors have done over the last four years," Harris said. "They are very proud to be the first team in OCA sports history to win four state championships in a row. They have started a dynasty, so when a new student-athlete joins the team, they know what the expectations are.
 
"Along with co-head coach Carlos Lozano, from day one we wanted to build and create a culture that players want to be a part of. All our players have different personalities with great talent, but when you are able to bring all those personalities together as one, and there is talent, that's a scary good combination, which leads to success."
 
Even with the four consecutive titles in the record book, the future is still bright for Oceanside tennis. The Landsharks will have just one senior on the squad next year, so the OCA tennis dynasty shows no sign of slowing any time soon.

About Oceanside Collegiate Academy: Oceanside Collegiate Academy (OCA), located in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., serves high school students in a safe, small and family-centered setting. Our students seek the opportunity and challenge of rigorous curriculum, high academic standards and elite athletics while earning up to two years of college credit. OCA serves students in grades 9-12 using an honors curriculum in 9th and 10 grades with a dual enrollment curriculum in 11th and 12th grades Learn more about OCA by visiting our website at OceansideCollegiateAcademy.org and by following us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For video content, visit our YouTube channel.