The Purple Hurricanes fell 3-2 to LaGrange, coming within a match of advancing.
How close did the Canes come to winning? Mitchell Scott, the team's No. 2 singles player, was down 4-2 in the third match and came back to even the scoring at 4-all but couldn't close the deal and eventually fell 4-6.
Scott had won his first match, 6-4, and lost the second, 4-6.
"Mitchell came up just short and our whole team put in a great effort," head coach Julius Robberts said. "I couldn't be more proud of the effort Mitchell and the whole team put in."
The Canes' fortunes turned this season on the strength of its singles play and Friday was no different.
Trevor Gotkowski and Brock Hufstetler both won their singles matches for the Purple Hurricanes. Both doubles teams fell in the competition against LaGrange.
Robberts said it was an emotional day for Hufstetler, the team's only senior. "Brock really wanted to advance and he played great today. He carried the team emotionally out there, and I hope he feels he finished on a high note. He did well for us today, and I'm sad to see him go."
The coach said the team wanted to go farther this year but added finishing in the Sweet Sixteen is a successful season for any tennis team.
"Coach [Karen] Ruff did a great job with this program and their success this season is due to all the work she put in with these youngsters as well as their effort," he said. "They put in a lot of hard work and it has paid off for them."
He said there was a smooth transition in taking over the program this year.
"It's always tough to have a new coach," he said. "They gave me a chance and I couldn't ask for anything better."
Robberts noted the girls tennis team now travels to LaGrange on Monday with an eye toward advancing past the Sweet Sixteen round of their state playoffs. "Hopefully we can take an extra win against them."
The Lady Canes play the Lady Grangers at 2 p.m. with the winner advancing.
He said the boys team, which won Region 7-AAA, will now be turning its attention to next season.
"We'll be losing our No. 3 singles player," he noted, saying he hopes someone can step up and play well in that spot.
Robberts said he has asked the boys to continue honing their game over the summer. "I've asked them to play tournaments and to keep their games tournament ready. Some of us learned the hard way today how hard tournament play can be. You have to be match sharp when the competition gets tight."
He added next year's team will have more experience in doubles play and said a stronger performance in that part of the Cartersville game will improve its chances in the playoffs.