VALDOSTA — Tift County Blue Devils made it three consecutive Region 1-6A titles Tuesday with a 3-0 victory over Richmond Hill in the finals. Earlier Tuesday, the boys won 3-0 over Colquitt County to reach the championship. Matches were at Valdosta McKey Park.

The Devils entered as the No. 1 seed, having not lost in region, but that does not mean head coach Ivey Vickers anticipated an easy day. The Richmond Hill matches had been 3-2.

Fortunately, it was an easier final.

“Our guys came out and played lights out,” said Vickers. “They didn’t take the gas off.”

Josh Hellman won 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1 singles against Richmond Hill. Matt Layfield and Seth Denham were 6-0, 6-4 victors and, at the other doubles, Jack Medina and Adam Beck won, 6-3, 6-1.

Going into the tournament, region coaches agreed that once a team had its three victories, all other matches would be stopped.

Elijah Hellman and Maitrey Patel each split their first two sets when they were pulled, said Vickers.

“They played their hearts out,” said Vickers.

Elijah Hellman, Josh Hellman and the Denham/Layfield combo dispatched Colquitt in the semifinal, all in straight sets.

The Hellmans had identical scores: 6-0, 6-2. Layfield and Denham won 6-2, 6-2.

Beck and Medina won their first set. Patel dropped his, but was ahead 5-2 in the second.

Now, Tift sits back and waits on Region 5 to determine its seeds. That may be the best part for Vickers, waiting for that to play out without having to worry about travel. The Blue Devils are guaranteed to be at home for the first round of state and, if they advance, they would be at home for a second round as well.

While the boys move on to the postseason, the Lady Devils will stay at home.

A tough No. 5 seed, they didn’t get a chance to take on Richmond Hill in a play-in. They were scheduled to do so at McKey Park Monday. “Weather got us,” said Vickers of the day of thunderstorms. Beforehand, it was agreed that if the play-in was washed out, Richmond Hill, as the No. 4, would get the nod.

State is to get started in a couple of weeks. Teams have until April 24 to complete the first round.