TENNIS: WCDS begins quest for 4th straight NCISAA 1A dual-team crown

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 20, 2016 10:00 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

A championship-level team plays with great consistency, toughness and gives good effort on every play.

And no one has done it better than the Wayne Country Day girls' tennis squad.

In fact, the Chargers have been the state's elite program over the past three years and have three N.C. Independent School Athletic Association Class 1-A state dual-team tennis crowns to back up their claim.

The journey for a fourth straight title begins today. Top-seeded Wayne Country Day (11-1 overall) plays host to eighth-seeded Statesville Christian (2-11) on the Wayne Community College courts.

First serve is 3:30 p.m.

Second-year Chargers head coach Blake Vail played tennis at the highest level during his prep days at Charles B. Aycock. The four-time state qualifier and former regional champion knew he had a talented -- and experienced -- team returning this fall.

"I think coming into the season, I was very confident in our ability to win," Vail said. "I knew if we worked hard every practice we could be just as good as last year. I think the biggest improvement this season has definitely been the consistency top to bottom throughout the lineup.

"We don't drop off very much, which I think is awesome."

Three all-state performers -- junior Jennifer Potts, senior Ally Willman and junior Eliza Eagles -- occupy the top three positions in the starting lineup. Teammates Langley Barnes, Nancy Chen and Aimee Barnes have delivered solid performances in the bottom portion.

While Vail heaped praise on each player who stepped into a critical role this season, he seem most impressed with Langley Barnes. The sophomore, at times, has played with ice water in her veins.

She's been a silent leader.

"Sometimes she's played two or three (singles) and really set a great tone for the team all year," Vail said. "She is extremely consistent and hard working...so much fun to coach. I think she did a much better job this year controlling her emotions on the court."

Wayne Country Day recorded four shutouts and allowed its opponents to win two points or less in six other outings this season. The Chargers secured two wins against Rocky Mount Academy, which drew the No. 4 seed for the 2-A dual-team playoffs.

The lone hiccup was a 9-0 loss to Parrott Academy. The once-beaten Patriots are seeded third in the 2-A state tournament.

Vail's team captured a total of seven regular-season wins over five at-large teams in this year's 1-A playoffs -- archrival Greenfield, Lawrence Academy, Ridgecroft, University Christian and 2015 state runner-up Kerr-Vance. Two of the outcomes resulted in shutouts, while three teams managed to earn one point in either singles or doubles play.

Despite that unbridled success, the Chargers have to stay focused -- and hungry.

"Complacency is definitely a concern going into a season like this," Vail said. "I have tried to use internal competition to keep the girls motivated and striving to get better. I think we are some of our best competition. In order to win states, I think we need to focus on all the little things -- first serves, footwork, etc. and we should be fine.

"I think we control our own destiny, and I'm excited and confident in our chances."