Warriors finish business, clinch 3A dual-team playoff berth

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 26, 2016 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- His scorebook tucked underneath his right arm, Eastern Wayne head coach Craig Hassell stood against the warm brick wall.

Normally Hassell walks back and forth between each court. He was more composed Monday afternoon.

No worries today, coach.

Eastern Wayne took care of business as it completed a suspended match against county archrival Charles B. Aycock on the Luke Vail Tennis Courts. The No. 1 doubles of Ethan Quinn-Dylan March secured match point and the Warriors eventually handed the Golden Falcons a season-ending, 7-2 loss.

Hassell's team punched its ticket to the N.C. High School Athletic Association dual-team 3-A playoffs for the first time since 2013.

"We put ourselves in good position in singles by winning four of six matches," Hassell said. "Then we played really well to sweep all three doubles matches. I knew Aycock would be tough. Fortunately, we have some talent, experience and depth on this year's team."

The teams returned to the court after a torrential rainstorm suspended play last Thursday. Dylan March and Le Solomon gave EW a 2-0 advantage with straight-set, shutout wins at Nos. 1 and 3 singles, respectively.

When play resumed, four singles matches remained undecided.

Fifth-seeded Walker Davis pushed the Warriors' advantage to 3-0 with a win at No. 5 singles. Quinn finished off feisty Nick Coston 6-0, 6-4 at the No. 1 slot.

EW led 4-0.

Austin Doyle and Payne Casey prevailed at Nos. 4 and 6 singles for the Golden Falcons, who didn't go down without a fight.

Still, the Warriors' experience -- and hunger to return to the postseason -- proved an uphill battle for Aycock in doubles play. March-Quinn, Solomon-Ian Burchett and Davis-Gray Sasser swept the doubles courts.

"We've had contributions from the entire team this season, but it is particularly special to go out as the 3-A conference champs for our seniors -- Quinn, Solomon, Sasser and Martin," Hassell said. "I've preached to this team all year about no excuses and for the seniors to go out on top."

Eastern Wayne, C.B. Aycock and Southern Wayne return to action today in the season-ending ECC 3-A singles and doubles tournament in Pikeville. First-round matches begin at 2 p.m.

Here are the pairings:

Singles: Quarterfinals -- Christian Chase (SW) vs. Jonas Creel (CBA) and Tyler Isley (SW) vs. Burchett (EW). March and Aycock's Nolan Casey each received an opening-round bye.

Doubles: Quarterfinals -- Gomez-Robinson (SW) vs. Andrews-Doyle (CBA); Tamayo-Best (SW) vs. Davis-Sasser (EW). The Warriors' Quinn-Solomon and the Golden Falcons' Hare-Coston each received a first-round bye.

Note: The finalists in singles and doubles advance to the eastern regionals.