Eagles sweep singles, oust Cougars
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 4, 2011 1:47 PM
No worries.
Rosewood coach Bert Perkins' anxiety quickly vanished during opening-set action against Goldsboro in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A dual-team tennis playoffs Tuesday afternoon.
The Eagles seized command on five of six singles courts and kept the momentum in a 6-0 victory over the Cougars. Rosewood (13-1 overall) entertains Tar-Roanoke champion Gates County next Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Goldsboro, a wild-card entrant, concluded the season 2-5.
"I'm pleased with the way the guys played coming off the break," said Perkins. "I was concerned about their focus and they quickly got back on track. Goldsboro makes you work for every point and as long as you do that, you're in (the match).
"Goldsboro has gotten better."
Junior Daniel Elawar collected the Eagles' first point -- a 6-1, 6-1 conquest of the Cougars' Anthony Dobson at No. 5 singles. Senior Antonio Henriques and junior Fuad Ismail each claimed a straight-set decision, which boosted Rosewood's advantage to 3-0.
Junior Cole Radcliff and senior Zach Behrend capped the match with straight-set wins at Nos. 3 and 4 singles, respectively, to give Rosewood just its fifth playoff victory in program history. Radcliff and Behrend each remained unbeaten in 14 dual matches this season.
Matt Binda capped the shutout with a 6-2, 4-6, 10-5 conquest of the Cougars' Bernard Green at No. 1 singles. It was Binda's seventh win of the season.
Goldsboro remained winless in three postseason trips.
"We've had a good season," said first-year head coach Ryan Small. "We have really progressed as a team and as individual players. We're excited to come back next year and play at a higher level."