Tennis Advances to AIA Division I State Championship
The top-seeded Brophy tennis program advanced to the AIA Division I championship match with a 5-0 win over No. 4 Perry. They will play in the Championship at 11 am at Paseo on Saturday against No. 6 Mountain Ridge.
“On a scale of 1 to 10, it is about a 400,” said Head Coach Chris Campbell ‘84. “The boys have worked hard to get where they are. It is going to be a great day. They got past a tough Perry team.”
Junior Ryan Zerbib defeated Dallin Welch at No. 1 singles 6-2, 6-0 for the match's first point. Junior Logan Phillips followed at No. 2 with a 6-0, 6-2 win. Junior Tyler Woo only dropped one game at No. 3 singles in his 6-0, 6-1 win. Junior Naren Gudavalli was also efficient with a 6-2, 6-0 win.
“What I saw going well for all the boys was they were being patient, looking for chances to strike first and ending points quickly,” said Campbell.
Sophomore Alex Bunkse clinched the match with a comeback 5-7, 6-1, 10-8 victory for the fifth point. Senior Ethan Ashok played at No. 6 for the team, but his match was halted.
“Ethan was an amazing 12th-hour call,” said Campbell. “All the guys know they must be ready when they are a reserve. He did a great job.”
In the final, Brophy (18-3) will play No. 6 Mountain Ridge. They met on March 6 at Phoenix Tennis Center, with Brophy posting a 7-2 win.
The Broncos, a team with a rich history of success, qualified for their seventh consecutive state final. Brophy lost to Desert Mountain in 2023 but most recently won the team title in 2022. They have 21 state championships, dating to the first in 1973.
This morning, Brophy College Preparatory proudly hosted its New Student Convocation, a cherished tradition that prayerfully welcomes new students and their families into the Brophy community. This year’s convocation was particularly special, as it marked the arrival of the Class of 2028, coinciding with the school’s centennial year, as well as the Loyola Academy Scholar Class of 2031.
The ceremony included a prayerful reflection, highlighting the school’s commitment to faith and the Jesuit tradition. The event concluded with a blessing for the new students and their families, setting a positive and hopeful tone for the years to come. As the Class of 2028 begins its journey at Brophy, and the Loyola Academy Scholars continue their academic path, they do so with the full support of the Brophy community.
Brophy College Preparatory marked the beginning of the school year with the annual Back to School Bash, a signature event designed to foster connections between the incoming Class of 2028 and their Big Brothers. The event was a tremendous success, offering a day filled with activities aimed at building camaraderie and community.
Students participated in a variety of water-themed activities, with the highlight being the giant water slides set up on Brophy’s baseball field. The pool area was also a popular spot, providing a refreshing way to celebrate the start of the new academic year. Lively music, engaging games and a festive atmosphere contributed to a day of smiles and new friendships.
It’s clear that the students are ready for an exciting year ahead