Another milestone - C.B. Aycock tennis collects 300th consecutive win in conference play

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 29, 2006 2:29 PM

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WILSON -- The state-ranked Charles B. Aycock women's tennis team reached another milestone in its illustrious history Thursday afternoon.

The Golden Falcons prevailed in five of six singles matches and rolled past Wilson Hunt 8-1 for its 300th consecutive regular-season conference victory -- a phenomenal streak that began in 1979. Aycock improved to 11-2 overall and remained perfect in eight Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference outings.

"Today was a special day for our team and school," said veteran Golden Falcons coach Luke Vail. "Our girls played exceptional tennis. I was especially pleased with our doubles play."

Top-seeded Raychel Batts, the reigning ECC player of the year, stopped the Warriors' Madison Cauley 6-1, 6-1. Third-seeded Lizzie Sodoma defeated Anna Strader 6-2, 6-1. Fourth-seeded Emilee Quinn turned back Jordan Winslow 6-4, 6-1. Fifth-seeded Kristen Bennett handed Mary Catherine Hardison a 6-0, 6-1 setback and climbed to 12-0 overall. Sixth-seeded Courtney Barnes improved to 11-1 with a 6-2, 6-1 conquering of Paige Tyson.

"Kristen and Courtney have been reliable for us all season, and they've done a good job for us at number five and six," said Vail.

In doubles, Batts-Sodoma shut out Cauley-Strader 8-0. Quinn-Bennett, the No. 2 seed, rolled past Winslow-Hardison 8-1. The third-seeded tandem of Barnes-Kara Kelly knocked off Tyson-Samantha Morgan 8-3.

Hunt (7-5) dipped to 4-4 against ECC opposition.

C.B. Aycock, ranked No. 6 in the latest N.C. High School Tennis Coaches Association 3-A poll, can clinch the ECC championship outright next Tuesday with a victory over county rival Eastern Wayne. The Golden Falcons emerged victorious 7-2 in their previous meeting.