Meet the 2025 All-Observer boys’ tennis team, the region’s top athletes

Kai Villagomez will graduate on Monday afternoon with a title that no other Butler High alum can claim — state tennis champion.

Villagomez captured the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 4A singles state championship this season and has been named the 2025 Charlotte Observer Boys’ Tennis Player of the Year.

And Sean Harmon, who guided South Point to the NCHSAA’s 3A dual team tennis championship, is The Observer’s Boys’ Tennis Coach of the Year.

In becoming Butler’s first state tennis champion, Villagomez had a remarkable season.

He compiled a 14-0 record at No. 1 singles and scored his final point at the state finals with an ace. Coach Sheree Heisler said Villagomez, the son of two former LSU tennis players, took up the sport at age 7.

Villagomez committed to play tennis at Davidson College before his senior season. Heisler said she wasn’t sure if her star player would compete at Butler in his senior season but was thrilled when he did.

“When I say he is an amazing person, I mean every word,” Heisler said. “When someone plays as well as Kai plays, you would think there would be a little arrogance. With Kai, that is not the case at all.”

“He would often meet with some of our players on weekends to help them improve their court strategies and strokes,” she added. “He always cheered on each player during every match.”

South Point’s Harmon has compiled a remarkable record in his five seasons in Belmont.

The Raiders went 18-1 in their run to the 3A title. In five seasons at the school, Harmon’s record is 71-6. Two of his players, brothers James and Rex Dover, captured the 3A doubles championship.

Here is the 2025 All-Observer Boys’ Tennis team:

FIRST TEAM

SINGLES

Colin Cerminala, Davidson Day, sophomore: A two-time all-Observer award winner, Cerminala was 6-1 in singles, 9-0 in doubles, and led the Patriots to the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association team tennis state title for the third straight year.

Andrew Chen, Charlotte Latin, senior: A three-time all-state player, Chen was 30-13 in singles and doubles and helped lead the Hawks to an NCISAA Division 1 state runner-up finish. “We would not have made it to the state championship without him,” coach Colin Imwalle said.

Jackson Grathwohl, Pine Lake Prep, junior: The three-time Catawba Shores 1A-2A player of the year, Grathwohl finished second in the NCHSAA’s Class 2A singles tournament.

Shiv Patel, South Point, South Point, senior: Patel, an all-Observer first-teamer last season, repeated the honor after a 15-1 season as South Point’s No. 1 singles player. He also teamed with James Dover for a 5-0 season in doubles.

Hamilton Huitt, Covenant Day, senior: A Queens commit, Huitt is the only player to beat Davidson Day’s Colin Cerminala this season. Huitt finished 10-0 in singles and 14-1 in doubles.

Kai Villagomez, Butler, senior: He won the 4A state singles championship and compiled a 14-0 regular-season record. Villagomez is a Davidson commit.

DOUBLES

Carson Brown and Lawson Miller, East Lincoln: This junior tandem capped a big season by finishing second in the NCHSAA’s 3A doubles championship. They compiled an 8-3 regular-season record before their state playoffs surge.

James Dover and Rex Dover, South Point: The Dovers did not play doubles together during the regular season but were teamed in the 3A state championships. They went on to win the 3A doubles title. James Dover, a senior, was 15-0 in No. 2 singles during the regular season. Rex, a sophomore, was 8-1.

Rentar Kramin and Tejus Ranadive, Providence Day: This senior tandem compiled a 13-0 record during the regular season. Ranadive, who played No. 2 doubles, also was 13-0 in singles.

SECOND TEAM

SINGLES

Mark Agafov, Carmel Christian: A Queens commit who led the Cougars to the NCISAA Division 1 state crown

Jack Kirby, Cannon School: 11-0 in the regular season

Daniel Dimitrov, Myers Park: 20-3 at No. 2 singles

Brodie Fox, Palisades: First Palisades player to reach the 4A state tournament

Zach Plyler, Myers Park: 21-6 and a state meet qualifier

Tejas Sridhar, Lake Norman Charter: 3A West Regional champion and 3A state semifinalist.

DOUBLES

Noah Cochran (senior) and Clark Mullen (senior), Lincoln Charter

Chinedu Nwokedi (sophomore) and Vedant Kartik (junior), Ardrey Kell

Luke Thompson (senior) and Connor Yett (junior), South Mecklenburg