The Sussex Academy boys' tennis team's senior class took the program from winless their freshman year to undefeated their final year.

The Seahawks wrapped up an 11-0 season with a 5-0 victory over Seaford May 5. Sussex Academy shocked the Delaware tennis world when it handed Caesar Rodney its first conference loss in 16 years. Singles players Jack Feinstein, J.P. Eichten and Max Feinstein completed their own perfect seasons in the regular-season finale, as did second-doubles duo Arjun Verma and Charlie Bowman. First-doubles team of Kieran Probert and Leo Benz only dropped one match, and that was to CR, making their season record 10-1.

Probert might be the only senior in the starting lineup, but he was honored alongside two exhibition players who are the comedic relief and heartbeat of the team rolled into one – Logan Mattie and Alec Dukes. 

Mattie is very grateful for his service to the program.

“It's really just been a great experience in general, not just Senior Night, but my participation with the program,” Mattie said. “This program's changed my life. That's not an exaggeration. I don't know where I'd be without it. I've made my closest friends with this sport, and I'm glad that it's gotten me all the things it has.”

Not only has the senior grown, but he has noticed the maturation of the program.

“The growth we've had as a team so far has just been astonishing,” Mattie said.

While Mattie lost his starting spot this year, Dukes has fewer starts under his belt. However, when called into action, Dukes did not lose a single match he participated it.

“Just knowing that there's always like a secret weapon on the bench … you know that that secret weapon can come out sometimes,” Dukes said.

Dukes and Mattie have started an Instagram page for the team and have gotten the team to bond with their uplifting antics.

“This team is very unique it is very closely knit,” Dukes said. “It's very special coming from a fully defeated season freshman year and seeing the team rebuild and grow. It's very crazy.”

Probert has been the captain of the team the last few years and can crack some smiles in his own right, but was noted for his reliability in making sure the players are growing and the team is in the right place. On this night, the support was there for him.

“All the people who've supported me, and I've helped support as well, just gathered around … its just a really nice experience to help reflect on the past four years of having not just tennis, but also in swim, cross country and track,” he said.