Jones' singles point helps give CBA 31st conference title in program history

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 1, 2014 1:51 PM

• Print
• Email

rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Charles B. Aycock head girls' tennis coach Summer Pennington calls freshman Meredith Jones her "spirit ball" because of the constant encouragement she provides for her teammates.

Jones has stepped into a different role in the Golden Falcons' past two matches, and earned -- undoubtedly -- the biggest singles point of her budding career Tuesday afternoon.

Her 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Eastern Wayne's Samantha Roux at No. 6 singles clinched the overall outcome and gave C.B. Aycock the outright Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A conference title -- the 31st league championship in program history.

"She's our team cheerleader," Pennington said. "Meredith has been such a good asset for the whole season because she has been such a positive presence. She's always saying 'coach, what can I do for you?'

Normally the doubles partner for Haley Creech, Jones stepped into the starting singles lineup when Cassidy Coerver, the No. 2 seed, contracted mononucleosis. The absence changed the dynamic of the team, but the Golden Falcons (13-1 overall, 11-0 ECC) easily handled the adjustment.

Aycock secured the league's lone berth in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A dual-team playoffs, which begin Oct. 14. The Golden Falcons' had their string of 22 consecutive postseason appearances snapped a year ago.

"I think that's always a motivating factor that you always want to have a postseason," Pennington said. "It didn't really drive us the whole season, but we're pleased that we get the chance to (participate in the playoffs)."

In addition to Jones' match-deciding point, the Golden Falcons reeled off four additional straight-set victories in singles. Defending eastern regional champion Ashton Walker turned back Elizabeth Sutton 6-2, 6-0 in a match that was closer than the final score indicated.

The two No. 1 seeds consistently traded groundstrokes and long rallies. Walker connected on a few more winners than Sutton, who returned serve well for most of the match.

Third-seeded Kassidy Pitchford dropped just one game against the Warriors' Emily Uzzell. Fourth-seeded Sabrina posted a straight-set shutout against Kaycee Kamper, while fifth Emmie Collins lost two first-set games in a 6-2, 6-0 triumph over Kathryn Harrison.

Second-seeded Brennan Dove claimed Eastern Wayne's lone point. The sophomore played with the patience of Job, kept every ball in play and forced Aycock's Casie Belom into uncharacteristic unforced errors.

Dove prevailed 7-5, 6-4.

Her tenacity exemplified pre-game instructions delivered by EW head coach Craig Hassell. He reminded his team to give everything they had on the court, don't beat themselves and most importantly, have fun playing the game.

Aycock's tandems of Walker-Pitchford, Belom-Creech and Johnson-Collins swept the doubles courts.

"(A) happy day," said Pennington, who is just the third coach in CBA history to lead the program to a conference title. "I was pleased with how well the girls went out there, stayed focused, did what we needed to do to win, played consistent and cut down on unforced errors.

"We did not waste points today."