CB Aycock tops Eastern Wayne tennis
By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on April 5, 2011 1:47 PM
PIKEVILLE -- One step closer.
Charles B. Aycock earned two critical doubles points and turned back county archrival Eastern Wayne, 6-3, in Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference boys' tennis action Monday afternoon.
The Golden Falcons (13-1 overall) improved to 9-0 against ECC opposition and can clinch a share of their fourth straight regular-season championship at home Thursday against Southern Wayne. First serve is 4 p.m.
The Warriors (9-3) dropped to 8-2 in the league.
"It was an excellent match between two evenly-matched teams under trying conditions due to the wind," said Aycock head coach Luke Vail. "I was proud of our guys because I thought they played well on the big points, and were able to come up with a timely shot when they needed it."
Aycock claimed four of six singles points.
Third-seeded Bradley Wilson and fifth-seeded Austin Walker each defeated their respective opponent in straight sets. Teammates Michael Kearney (No. 4 seed) and Rex Rose (No. 6 seed) each captured a third-set tiebreaker after splitting sets.
The Warriors' Chaz Fitzpatrick and Mike Barnette triumphed at Nos. 1 and 2 singles, respectively. Fitzpatrick-Barnette seized the visitors' lone doubles point.
"I thought Chaz and Mike had solid performances in singles and doubles," said Eastern Wayne head coach Craig Hassell. "I thought we competed very well today. It was a match that could have gone either way."
The Golden Falcons' tandems of Wilson-Walker and Kearney-Rose each emerged victorious to seal the outcome.
"I was especially proud of our mental toughness and aggressive play in doubles," said Vail. "It was a hard fought match from beginning to end, which could have gone either way."