In the end, the Warriors were the ones left standing. They won 5-3 and advanced to this morning’s finals against Hidden Valley. Western (18-1) will be gunning for its third straight state title.

On the one hand, we’re talking 250 miles round trip at a time when gas is expensive.

Unfortunately for Western Albemarle’s Joey Manilla, that was not the case — he lost in the state semifinals to Region I champion Elliott Mee of Jamestown in three sets, 6-7 (7-9), 6-2, 6-2, but Artis saw the heart of a champion.