The Thomasville girls tennis team is one step closer to the Final Four.

The Lady Bulldogs advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Class AA playoffs with a 5-0 rout of Dodge County on Tuesday.

“It kind of reminded me of a couple of years ago,” said Thomasville coach Phil Slaughter, referring to the last time his team advanced to the Final Four. “I feel good, the singles rolled and the doubles did too.

“You never want to be down on your team, but I was thinking I would be really happy if we got away with a 3-2 win. Like I said, (Dodge) is a strong No. 3. They could be a No. 1 seed anywhere else.”

Dodge featured a tough No. 1 singles player in Callen Carroll, but she routed off the court by Thomasville’s Katie Gee. Gee trailed 2-1 in the first set before rallying for five straight points to take the first set 6-2. Gee won the second set 6-0.

“Katie’s just strong,” Slaughter said. “I was expecting a closer match.

“She just showed how strong and how good a player she really is.”

Thomasville’s No. 2 singles player Rachel McElreath cruised as well, defeating Virginia Hargrove 6-1, 6-3. Kate Jones, Thomasville’s No. 3 singles player, defeated Brianna Jessup 6-1, 6-0.

“Kate Jones played really, really good. It wasn’t like she played some weak, little girl,” Slaughter added.

Thomasville’s No. 1 doubles team of Julia McElreath and Allison Thriffiley defeated Jaye Hilliard and Roxan Stuckey 7-5, 6-3. The Lady Bulldogs’ No. 2 doubles team of Abbey Beine and Emma Fennelly defeated Jamie Michael Jones and Hannah Moore 7-5, 7-6 (7-5).

With the win, Thomasville will host Screven County next Tuesday at 1 p.m. Screven is the No. 2 seed out of Region 3 and defeated Thomasville 5-0 at a tournament in Jekyll Island earlier this year. The Lady Bulldogs did not have Gee or Rachel McElreath in that match, however. The key to the Lady Bulldogs’ success may lie with their success in doubles play.

 “I would definitely say we’re more settled at our doubles. Our doubles have definitely improved,” Slaughter said. “Dodge has got some strong doubles teams. Our No. 1 doubles with Julia and Allison, it seems like they get better each and every time we play.”