Saints net win over Trojans

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on October 2, 2009 1:46 PM

• Print
• Email

DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne tennis is on the rise.

The Saints took another step in the right direction with a steady 6-3 victory over visiting South Johnston on Thursday afternoon in Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference play.

Southern Wayne controlled the singles courts.

Top-seeded Morgan Roberts set the tone with an easy 6-1, 6-0 victory over the Trojans' Katherine Womack. A senior, Roberts used an array of shots to collect a team point.

"Morgan is really playing well right now," said second-year Saints head coach John Fonvielle. "She has been good all year, but recently she has played her best tennis."

Jessica Best picked up a win at No. 2 singles. Teammates Michala Best, Taylor Parker and Mollianne Kennedy each earned a singles point.

"Taylor and Mollianne are coming along as the season progresses," said Fonvielle. "For two freshmen to be playing at this level and playing so well says a lot about the future of this program."

Michaela Lee picked up the Trojans' lone singles point.

In doubles, Roberts-Best emerged victorious for the Saints. Roberts' strong service game with Best's versatility and mobility proved to be too much for South Johnston's duo of Lee-Michaela Womack. After falling behind 3-2, Roberts-Best rallied to take a 5-4 lead and prevail 8-5.

"With the match essentially over after singles play, we were able to switch some things up in doubles," said Fonvielle. "It's nice to see some different combinations and kind of relax in doubles."

South Johnston's combos of Jessica Dean-Jeanna Massengill and Taylor Huckaday-Sawyor Batten won at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.

Southern Wayne (9-7 overall, 4-4 ECC) travels to county rival Eastern Wayne on Tuesday.