Maury’s Historic Win in Boys Single Tennis Championship

Graduating Senior John Felts volleyed to win the Class 5 Boys Singles State Championship on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Felts’ win earned Maury High School a historic win, as a Boys Single Champion has not been crowned at this school since 1966

He defeated Cox High School’s opponent German Gonzalez, 6-2 and 6-1 in straight sets. The Singles tournament was held at Huntington Park at Newport News.

Felts has played Varsity Tennis since his freshman year at Maury, and each year he has gotten stronger and faster. Culminating his win as a senior will forever put him in the history books because Maury had to wait 60 years for this huge triumph.

Winning the state title meant everything to Felts. “All the early mornings, late nights, all the tough practices, and sacrifices that led up to that moment,” said Felts. “Knowing that Maury hadn’t won an individual state title in 66 years made it even more special. “But more than a reward for my hard work was to win it in front of everyone who showed up to support me.” Having his family, teachers, friends, and coaches there to watch and cheer him on was unforgettable to him. According to Felts, “Their support meant more than any trophy ever could and knowing that so many believed in me and took the time to be there made that day and winning the state title unforgettable.”

Maury’s Men’s Tennis Coach Janita Burgess Hess has seen Felts progression over the last four years. Also, he has led Maury to numerous district and regional champions and multiple State appearances. The Maury Men's Tennis has won the district since 2013, and they have won the Regionals since 2016.

Coach Hess exclaimed, “John went undefeated in his junior year in regular season and regional. Losing in State semifinal last year in a 10-point tie break 9-11 to the eventual champion.” During his senior year Felts went 15-1-DNF due to an injury.

“During the regular season out of a possible 180 games his senior year John only dropped nine games, four of which were to the player he played in the state final,” said Hess. “John won the region tournament this year only dropping two games, finishing one match in 28 minutes and the following match in 34 minutes.” Felts rallied to be the top seed in the region tournament for the last two years, winning both.

Felts won the State tournament this year only dropping three games. Likewise, he won the region singles and doubles the last two years. “Also, John made it to the States semifinals in both singles and doubles for the last three years,” said Hess.

Stephen Suttmiller, Senior Coordinator of Norfolk Public Schools Athletics exclaims, “The NPS Athletic department is extremely proud of John's accomplishments by winning the Class 5 Boys Single Championship. His commitment and consistent work have paid off by not only wining the singles title, but it also demonstrates that his hard work in the classroom has set himself up with a scholarship to Longwood University to further his academic and athletic success.”

Congratulations to Felts and the entire athletic department at Maury High School for this historic win. Felts will take his talents to Longwood University in the Fall of 2026.

Also, the NPS Athletic department would like to recognize and congratulate Ariana Pazos-Del Aguila from Granby High School who competed in the Class 5 Girls Singles and finished as the State Runner-Up!

Likewise, congratulations to John and Johnny March, State Finalists in Doubles, and to Ariana Pazos-Del Aguila and Sai Bhasin of Granby High School, State Finalists in Girls Doubles.

More photos from the tournament can be found here.