Prep sports

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 16, 2005 2:05 PM

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Greene Central, Tarboro tangle in EPC tennis action

SNOW HILL -- A much-improved and experience-ladened Tarboro High tennis team gave Class 2-A Eastern Plains Conference rival Greene Central all it could handle Thursday afternoon.

But the tradition-rich Rams prevailed in the end.

Greene Central swept the doubles and turned back Tarboro 7-2 on the Snow Hill Tennis Complex courts in a showdown between the league's top two teams. The Rams (11-1) improved to 4-0 in the EPC and extended their conference-match win streak to 120.

Tarboro, winless in 16 tries against the Rams since joining the EPC in 1998, fell to 7-3 overall and 1-1 against league opposition.

"Tarboro played extremely well against us today," said veteran Greene Central coach Donald Clark. "They were hungry and they really came after us. They totally outhustled us all day long, and we were very lucky to pull out a win today."

Clark cited the play of Brittany Horton, a first-year starter, as a key to the Rams' success in their most-crucial league match of the season. Horton emerged victorious Monday against 2-A power Edenton Holmes and followed up with two solid matches against the Vikings.

Horton (10-2) blitzed Katie Hayes 6-0, 6-0 in their singles match at No. 5. Horton teamed with Meredith Rouse to turn back the Vikings' Mara Leigh Evans-Thompson 8-3 at No. 1 doubles.

"Brittany has played outstanding tennis for us this week in big matches," said Clark. "She is hitting her groundstrokes with a lot of confidence in singles, and she is doing a fantastic job in doubles at the net. Her play has been a real inspiration this week as we have gone up against two of the best 2-A tennis teams in the state."

Rouse survived an opening-set tiebreaker against Evans and triumphed 7-6 (5), 6-4. No. 2 seed Christi Murphy dispatched Minta Dupree 6-0, 6-1. Sixth-seeded Elizabeth Cooper split sets with Genelle Wilson before winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 at No. 6 singles.

Murphy-Harrell took an 8-5 win at No. 2 doubles. The third-seeded tandem of Cooper-Michelle Jernigan escaped Dupree-Hayes 9-8 (3).

"Christi turned in a great performance for us today in singles and doubles," said Clark. "I was particularly pleased with her hustle on the backline in both of her matches.

"Elizabeth came back to post a big win for us. She plays mentally tough in tight matches and she came through for us once again today. She was really controlling the match in the third set with her backhand."

Greene Central returns to action Monday at Greenfield School.

Greene Central 7

Tarboro High 2

Singles -- No. 1 Meredith Rouse (GC) d. Mara Leigh Evans 7-6 (5), 6-4; No. 2 Christi Murphy (GC) d. Minta Dupree 6-0, 6-1; No. 3 Allison Thompson (T) d. Ahsley Harrell 7-5, 6-1; No. 4 Jasmine Burroughs (T) d. Michelle Jernigan 7-5, 6-4; No. 5 Brittany Horton (GC) d. Katie Hayes 6-0, 6-0; No. 6 Elizabeth Cooper (GC) d. Genelle Wilson 6-3, 5-7, 6-1.

Doubles -- No. 1 Rouse-Horton (GC) d. Evans-Thompson 8-3; No. 2 Murphy-Harrell (GC) d. Burroughs-Miranda Spain 8-5; No. 3 Jernigan-Cooper (GC) d. Dupree-Hayes 9-8 (3).

Hawks topple

Cougars in EPC

North Lenoir won three of four contested singles matches and received two defaults in a 6-0 victory against Eastern Plains 2-A newcomer Goldsboro on Thursday afternoon at Herman Park.

Rachel Sasser, Ruthanne Hardy and Heather Phillips each triumphed in singles. The Hawks' Ashley Fillipeli led 6-0, 6-5 before rain halted her match against the Cougars' Latesia Godwin.

Goldsboro (0-3, 0-2 EPC) defaulted at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles.

"The girls are improving every day and they are having fun," said first-year Cougar coach William Patrick.

North Lenoir 6

Goldsboro High 0

Singles -- No. 1 Rachel Sasser (NL) d. Honesty Floyd 6-0, 6-0; No. 2 Ruthanne Hardy (NL) d. Shatara Cox 6-0, 6-0; No. 3 Heather Phillips (NL) d. Joquita Rivers 6-0, 6-0; No. 4 Ashley Fillipeli (NL) led Latesia Godwin 6-0, 6-5, rain; No. 5 Haley Bright (NL) by forfeit; No. 6 Lauren Harris (NL) by default.

Doubles -- No. 3 North Lenoir won by default.

Note: Nos. 1 and 2 doubles were not contested due to rain.

Wilson Hunt

shuts down SW

MOUNT OLIVE -- Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference newcomer Wilson Hunt prevailed in five singles matches and turned back Southern Wayne 5-0 on the John Neal Walker Tennis Center courts Thursday afternoon.

The Warriors (3-1 ECC) gained singles wins from Andrea Michalak, Rainey Wallace, Madison Cauley, Katie Wilson and Mary Catherine Hardison. Cauley rebounded from a second-set loss to defeat Katlyn Thornton 6-2, 2-6, 7-4.

The Saints' Tara Hirsch led 3-2 in the second set against Anna Strader before rain ended play.

Southern Wayne (3-3, 1-2 ECC) travels to Charles B. Aycock next Tuesday.

Wilson Hunt 5

Southern Wayne 0

Singles -- No. 1 Andrea Michalak (H) d. Beth Brown 6-0, 6-2; No. 2 Anna Strader (H) led Tara Hirsch 6-2, 2-3, rain; No. 3 Rainey Wallace (H) d. Casey Powell 6-4, 6-1; No. 4 Madison Cauley (H) d. Katlyn Thornton 6-2, 2-6, 7-4; No. 5 Katie Wilson (H) d. Emily Taylor 6-0, 6-2; No. 6 Mary Catherine Hardison (H) d. Christy Westbrook 6-0, 6-3.

Kerr-Vance

defeats Chargers

Kerr-Vance swept the singles matches and handed Wayne Country Day a 6-0 loss in Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A Conference play Thursday afternoon at Wayne Community College.

The Chargers (1-4, 0-3 CPIC) continue play next Monday afternoon at Faith Christian-Rocky Mount.

Kerr-Vance 6

Wayne Country Day 0

Singles -- No. 1 Lara Terry (KVA) d. Georgia Crow 6-0, 6-0; No. 2 Tricia Terry (KVA) d. Cassie Broach 6-3, 6-0; No. 3 Mary Royall (KVA) d. Georgia Tanner 6-0, 6-1; No. 4 Chrissy MacInnes (KVA) d. Katie Hampton 6-0, 6-0; No. 5 Sarah Morgan Hunter (KVA) d. Dia Proimos 6-2, 6-1; No. 6 Stacey Stanton (KVA) d. Laura Balmer 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles -- Not contested due to rain.

Area matches

rained out

Thursday afternoon's rainstorm postponed conference matches involving C.B. Aycock-Eastern Wayne and Rosewood-North Duplin.

Aycock played without top-seeded Raychel Batts, who is participating in a tournament in Tennessee. The teams rescheduled their Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference battle for next Wednesday afternoon in Pikeville.

Rosewood, the lone unbeaten team in Carolina 1-A Conference play, had its road match at first-year program North Duplin rained out. The coaches agreed to play a doubleheader at Rosewood on Oct. 4.

Cross country

Johnson, Wall

pace Eagle runners

SMITHFIELD -- Wayne Christian's Doug Johnson and Bianca Wall each posted a top-six finish in a four-team Carolina Christian 1-A Conference meet Thursday afternoon at Johnston Christian.

Johnson ran the 3.1-mile course in 21 minutes, 58 seconds and finished fourth overall. Teammates Justin Brathwaite (24:24) and Jon Massey (25:01) claimed 10th and 15th place, respectively.

Aaron Summerville and Hunter Dentzler concluded the Eagles' scoring with finishes of 27th and 28th, respectively.

Wall and fellow Eagle Jennifer Price crossed the finish line in sixth and seventh during the girls' portion of the meet. Wall recorded a time of 25:40 with Price four seconds behind.

Shelle Anderson (17th, 30:17), Martha Summerlin (19th, 32:43) and Kayla Kennedy (21st, 33:57) rounded out the scoring for Wayne Christian. Terrie Nelson also participated and claimed a 23rd-place time of 38:54.

Team scores were not available.

Golf

Spring Creek

defeats Saints

MOUNT OLIVE -- Janoelle Archer seized medalist honors with a nine-hole round of 46 to lead Spring Creek past Southern Wayne 96-103 in a non-conference match Thursday afternoon at Southern Wayne Country Club.

Paula Weber added a 50 for the Gators.

Jordan Hill paced the Saints with a 49, while Lynn Grantham contributed a 54.

Southern Wayne (3-2) returns to action Monday in a five-team Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference meet at Willow Springs Country Club in Wilson. Match time is 3 p.m.

Volleyball

North Duplin

survives Princeton

CALYPSO -- Senior Sierra Ward provided 15 kills and six blocks as North Duplin escaped Princeton 25-16, 17-25, 25-22, 24-26, 16-14 in a Carolina 1-A Conference thriller Thursday afternoon.

Ward added two three digs and two aces for the Rebels, now 4-1 overall.

"This was a really good game," said North Duplin coach Heather Best. "I am so proud of my girls for finishing this match. We got behind in the last game and they picked up their game, and took control.

"Princeton is a very good team with a lot of good players that can really play, so for us to win this match is a big confidence boost for our girls."

Heather Hudson complemented Ward's effort with seven kills, three digs, one block and one ace. Brittany Carr contributed six kills, one dig and three aces.

Lauren Blackmore added two kills.

Kaitlyn Haddock paced Princeton with nine kills, seven digs, one block and one assist. Stephanie Daughtry chipped in eight kills, three aces, seven digs, two blocks and one assist.

Sarah Gibbs and Cynthia Gibbs each recorded seven kills, while Jenny Wallace registered five kills.

Brittany Davis and Brittany Rose combined for 29 assists.

"We fought hard, but couldn't pull out the win," said Bulldogs coach Trudy Rast. "We were getting caught watching the ball. Mental mistakes are what killed us in tonight's game."

Princeton (3-3, 1-1 CC) travels to county archrival North Johnston next Tuesday. North Duplin is the guest of Ayden-Grifton.

Gators pull

out five-set win

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Ayden-Grifton 25-21, 21-25, 24-26, 25-17, 15-2 in Carolina 1-A Conference play Thursday afternoon.

Oxendine, Tomeka Pride and Lorenda Brogden each had nine kills for the Gators. Brogden and Billups combined for 15 blocks. Libero Brooke Albertson recorded 11 digs.

Spring Creek (7-1, 1-1 CC) travels to Rosewood next Tuesday afternoon.

Rosewood

upends Panthers

Courtney Hill collected a double-double -- 11 kills, 11 blocks -- as Rosewood swept North Johnston 25-13, 25-16, 25-20 in a Carolina 1-A Conference battle Thursday afternoon.

Stephanie Rhodes complemented Hill's performance with seven blocks and four kills. Kasie Braswell added six kills and five digs.

Abigail Barrow dished out 14 assists.

Kelli Gurley led the defense with a season-high 11 digs.

"Courtney, Stephanie and Kasey Grey had a great night at the night," said Eagles coach Jennifer Cochran.

Rosewood (9-0, 2-0 CC) travels to Goldsboro on Monday.

Goldsboro falls

in EPC 2-A match

SNOW HILL -- Greene Central handed Goldsboro a 25-19, 25-7, 25-13 loss in Eastern Plains 2-A Conference play Thursday afternoon.

First-year Cougars coach Markita Raynor said that Helga Bryant and Tiffany Burden showed "good teamwork" and "hustle" throughout the match.

The Cougars (0-9, 0-2 EPC) entertain Rosewood on Monday.

JV volleyball

Panthers rally

past Eagles

North Johnston dropped the opening set, but rallied for a 22-25, 27-25, 25-21 victory against Rosewood in Carolina 1-A Conference play Thursday.

Ashley Williams and Ashley Shaw each had one kill for Rosewood.

Caroline Tart and Roxie Phillips led the Eagle defense with three digs and two digs, respectively.

Rosewood (2-7, 0-2 CC) entertains Spring Creek next Tuesday afternoon.

Spring Creek

sweeps A.-Grifton

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Jordan Coor served six aces and Tasha Whitfield delivered five kills in Spring Creek's 25-16, 25-13 victory over Carolina 1-A Conference foe Ayden-Grifton.

Kristen Smith served four aces. Whitfield and Lisa Mozingo each had three aces.

Spring Creek (4-2) evened its Carolina 1-A Conference worksheet at 1-1 heading into next Tuesday's match at Rosewood.

Rebels take

match from PHS

CALYPSO -- Kayla Myers turned in a four-kill, two-ace performance as North Duplin outlasted Princeton 25-16, 21-25, 25-18 in their Carolina 1-A Conference match Thursday afternoon.

Heather Hudson added two kills and two aces. Jessica Pridgen provided three kills, two digs and two aces.

Vanessa Lynch contributed a kill and an ace.

North Duplin remained unbeaten in five outings.

Middle schools

Norwayne volleyball d. Wayne Christian 25-9, 23-25, 25-11, 20-25, 15-6 -- The Cobras scored 18 points with Victoria Benton on serve. They picked up 11 points with Beth Carter at the service line and 10 points with Autumn Pittman on serve. Norwayne (1-0) entertains Eastern Wayne next Monday afternoon.

Goldsboro soccer d. Grantham 7-0 -- Zack Behrend notched the hat trick (three goals) in the season-opening game for Goldsboro. Spencer Howell, Frannie Verceles-Zara, Brittany McGill and Rolando Hernandez each scored a goal for the Cougars. Goldsboro (1-0) is the guest of Greenwood next Monday afternoon.

Mount Olive volleyball d. Greenwood 25-18, 25-13, 25-15 -- Kacie Myers served four aces to lead Greenwood. Natalya Dupree added three aces, while Mary Wood provided two aces. Greenwood (0-1) travels to Rosewood next Monday afternoon.