TIFTON — North Paulding double-faulted a serve and Elijah Hellman put the Tift County Blue Devils over the top Thursday, sending them on to the next round of the state Class 6A tennis tournament.

Tift was up 2-1 with Hellman and Maitrey Patel left on the court. Patel had split his first two sets and was up a game. Hellman had only finish one set, which he won 6-3. He had a commanding lead in the second, and it seemed only a matter of time for either player.

Then came the double fault. Hellman won the second set, 6-3, and the Blue Devils had their team win.

Round two will be against Mill Creek, which 3-0 over Westlake. Matches will be at TCHS.

North Paulding’s Carter Contractor had the lone win for the Wolfpack, 6-1, 6-0 over Josh Hellman.

The Devils made up this ground in doubles, with both Matt Layfield and Seth Denham and Adam Beck and Jack Medina winning easily. Medina/Beck finished first with sets of 6-2, 6-1. Minutes later, Denham/Layfield earned a 6-2, 6-2 victory.

Once Elijah Hellman’s victory was secure, Patel’s match was stopped.