Aycock advances in 3A dual-team playoffs

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 2, 2014 1:52 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- A two-week layoff and spring break trip to Spain didn't seem to bother Charles B. Aycock too much on Thursday afternoon.

The Golden Falcons cobbled out an efficient, 7-2 victory over West Carteret in opening-round action of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A dual-team boys' playoffs on the Luke Vail Tennis Courts.

Aycock (9-7 overall) travels to three-time defending state champion Cardinal Gibbons next Tuesday.

"I thought the match went really well today," said Golden Falcons head coach Summer Pennington, who still felt the effects of jetlag along with some of her players.

"I was most pleased with the tenacity of my players, especially since we haven't been on the court in a while. Everyone showed an impressive level of experience and playing consistently (today)."

The Golden Falcons secured the outcome in singles.

Junior Chas Hooks collected the team's first point with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph over the Patriots' Owen Piehler at the No. 2 flight. Teammate Addison Vail, who also traveled to Spain, controlled the tempo in a 6-2, 6-1 decision over Gray Rixey at the No. 1 slot.

Junior Allan Best ruined George Rose's unbeaten season with a 6-3, 6-4 victory at No. 4 singles. Best picked up his team-leading 13th win this spring, while Rose suffered his first blemish in 12 outings.

Sixth-seeded Nicholas Coston prevailed 6-1, 6-3. Jackson Yelverton secured Aycock's 16th postseason win in playoff history with a straight-set triumph at No. 4 singles.

"One of the biggest things we have worked on and stressed this season is to make every point court in a match," Pennington said. "Today, all the way down the lineup, the guys were doing a great job of strategically picking the placement of their ball, and not throwing away points on low-percentage shots."

Aycock won two of three doubles courts.

Due to the absence of a player, Pennington bumped Vail-Best to No. 1 and the duo responded with an 8-3 win. The No. 2 tandem of Yelverton-Head prevailed 8-4.

The Patriots claimed No. 3 doubles.

The tandems of Vail-Best and Hooks-Yelverton return to action today in the NCHSAA eastern regional at Barton College in Wilson.