Saints down Eagles

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 15, 2009 1:46 PM

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Rosewood couldn't match Southern Wayne's fast start.

The Saints zipped to three-game leads on every singles court and rode the momentum to a 7-2, non-conference victory.

"I thought we played real good," said Southern Wayne head coach John Fonvielle. "We stayed focused and I saw some good shots. We stayed in the matches and all the starters played a complete match."

Second-seeded Jessica Best and fifth-seeded Taylor Parker each collected their seventh singles victories of the season. Best, Morgan Roberts, Michala Best and freshman Mollianne Kennedy each dropped just one game in their respective matches.

Parker stopped Rosewood senior Chelsea Sasser 6-2, 6-0. Teammate Erica Strickland won two of the final three games in second-set action and turned back Eagles sophomore Brooke Bell 6-0, 6-4.

"They moved the ball around well and that was big with an important conference match tomorrow," said Fonvielle. "I have a good group of girls. They're approaching the game the right way. They want to play competitive matches when they're out there and, of course, they want to win."

Rosewood (0-3 overall) controlled the doubles action.

The top-seeded tandem of Katie Hoff-Marieke Parrish doubled up Parker-Kennedy 8-4. The third-seeded doubles of Dakota Hersey-Sasser squeezed out a 9-8 (5) victory over the Saints' Brittany O'Brien-Hope Rose.

"I'm tickled ... wish we could play doubles all season long," said Rosewood coach Debbie Bailey. "Erica and Katie are rock solid. They played together last year and have familiarity with each other. My number three doubles are newcomers, but they're beginning to gel a little.

"They're learning as they go along, so this win today was big for them."

Southern Wayne's No. 2 doubles of Fee Paggel-Taylor Davis captured an 8-4 decision over Bell-Elsie McSwain.

The Saints (5-4) carry a three-match win streak to Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference foe South Johnston today. First serve is 4 p.m.