The Section III Girls Tennis Tournament for 2026 has officially unveiled its seeds, with initial matches scheduled to commence on Friday afternoon. The event will span six days, culminating in the quarterfinals on October 5th, semifinals on October 6th, and the championship matches on October 7th, with all contests hosted by the higher-seeded teams.
Leading the charge as top seeds are Baldwinsville in Class A, Fayetteville-Manlius (Green) in Class B, Oneida in Class C, and Copenhagen in Class D. Oneida enters the tournament as an unbeaten defending champion in Class C, showcasing a formidable record. Similarly, Fayetteville-Manlius and Copenhagen remain undefeated in their respective classes, with Fayetteville-Manlius moving to a new division after securing the Class A title last year, following the expansion from three to four classes. Oneida's quest for an eighth consecutive sectional title, and their tenth in twelve seasons, positions them as a dominant force. The Express, with a perfect 13-0 record, anchors a ten-team Class C bracket, awaiting the winner of the match between eighth-seed Cortland and ninth-seed Mexico Academy. Other notable teams include Camden (8-5), seeded seventh in Class C, facing tenth-seed Homer. New Hartford (10-2), seeded second in Class C, will host the winner of the Camden/Homer match, having previously defeated Camden 5-2. In Class D, Westmoreland (5-5), seeded seventh, will play Manlius-Pebble Hill (3-9) at home, with the victor advancing to face second-seed Cazenovia (11-1). Sauquoit Valley (9-1), the third seed in Class D, will host sixth-seed Canastota (5-4), a team they have bested twice before. Fifth-seed Clinton (5-4) is set to challenge fourth-seed Skaneateles (11-4). Representing the Tri-Valley League, Rome Free Academy (7-4) is the sixth seed in Class A and will travel to face third-seed Liverpool (11-3), while Whitesboro (8-2), seeded fifth in Class B, will compete against fourth-seed Oswego (5-8).
The stage is set for an exciting tournament as these talented high school tennis teams battle for sectional supremacy. The pursuit of excellence and the spirit of competition will undoubtedly shine through as teams like Oneida strive to uphold their legacy, while others aim to make their mark. This event provides a wonderful platform for young athletes to display their skills and teamwork, fostering sportsmanship and dedication within the community.