Chargers net victory over CPIC tennis archrival Greenfield
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 20, 2013 1:48 PM
rcoggins@newsargus.com
Leader of the pack.
Wayne Country Day remained unbeaten on the Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A Conference girls' tennis scene with a 7-2 triumph over archrival Greenfield on Thursday afternoon.
The Chargers (8-2 overall, 2-0 CPIC) secured the outcome in singles and avenged a loss to the Knights in semifinal-round play of the 2012 N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A dual-team playoffs.
"Any time we beat Greenfield, we always feel fortunate," WCDS head coach Joann Logan said. "We have a great rivalry and we have always been competitive with each other. We feel good that we've got one under the belt against them."
Wayne Country Day continues to develop depth with its No. 1 singles player -- Gianna Democko. The sophomore broke her foot nearly two weeks ago while playing in a tournament, and Logan anticipates her return just before the postseason begins.
The Chargers have certainly handled the adversity.
Taylor Willman moved into Democko's spot and the remainder of the team bumped up one seed. Logan applauded her team's improvement, and its solid work ethic on the court during practice and on match days.
"We've hung in there," Logan said.
Injury-riddled Greenfield still presented a test.
Willman found herself in a tug-of-war atmosphere against the Knights' Hannah Ferrell during the opening set. But the junior settled down and notched a 6-3, 6-0 victory.
"Taylor has stepped up and played well," Logan said.
Second-seeded Jennifer Potts and sixth-seeded Margaux Pope each posted a straight-set shutout for the Chargers. Teammate and fifth-seeded Meredith Roethling prevailed 6-1, 6-0.
Fourth-seeded Mollie Catherine McDonald, a returning starter, picked up the pivotal point with a 7-6 (5), 2-6, 10-5 triumph over McKenzie Williams.
"I was very proud of Mollie Cat for coming back," Logan said.
Taylor Willman-McDonald and Pope-Roethling prevailed at Nos. 1 and 3 doubles, respectively.
Greenfield won No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles.
The teams meet again in seven days.
"Greenfield is very competitive ... you never count them out," Logan said. "They've struggled with some injuries like we've struggled without Gianna. It seems all the teams that we've played this season at some point have had injuries.
"The girls are doing well and I can't ask any more (of them)."