By KEVIN ECKLBEBERRY

Daily News

Step one is in the books.

LaGrange High’s boys’ and girls’ tennis teams both had an easy time of it in the opening round of the Class AAAA state tournament on Monday at McCluskey Tennis Center.

LaGrange’s girls’ team beat Northwest Whitfield 3-0, and the final two matches were pulled after the outcome had been decided.

LaGrange’s boys’ team eased past Lafayette 5-0 to reach the second round.

LaGrange’s teams earned the right to host a state match after finishing second in the Region 5-AAAA tournament last week in Carrollton.

LaGrange’s girls’ team improved to 16-6 with the one-sided win over Northwest Whitfield.

LaGrange won both doubles matches, as well as the number two singles match.

Annie Pauley had an easy time of it at number to singles, beating Isha Mittal 6-0, 6-0.

At number one doubles, Abbi Lynn Lanier and Lizzie Wilkerson sailed past Haley Cox and Daniela Vaca 6-2, 6-3.

At number two doubles, it was Kaylee Key and Ella Eiland beating Henley Henderson and Haley Hughes 6-0, 6-2.

Wone Mi Oh and Louise Dodson were leading in the second set at number one and number three singles, respectively, when those matches were pulled.

LaGrange’s boys’ team, which made it all the way to the state semifinals last year, improved to 19-3 with Monday’s win.

LaGrange won the three singles matches, and both of the doubles matches.

At number one singles, senior Jackson Kuerzi overwhelmed Jarrod Sitton 6-1, 6-1.

Pierce Skinner got past Isaiah Southern 6-3, 6-3 at number two singles, and Albert Kim beat Andrew Long 6-4, 6-4 at number three singles.

In the number one doubles match, James Lee and Baker Skinner beat Damien Brown and Jonah Hobbs 6-1, 6-1.

Cole Crocker and Youngha Cho blanked Jac Curole and Tyler Massingill 6-0, 6-0 in the number two doubles match.