Tennis -- Goldsboro blanks Rosewood in County matchup

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 21, 2017 10:21 AM

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Rosewood got the challenge it needed.

Goldsboro found out a little more about itself, too.

In a matchup between former student and teacher, the Cougars ushered in the first day of spring with a 9-0, non-conference boys' tennis victory Monday afternoon.

"One of the things I wanted to see is how our boys matched up against other kids in the county," GHS head coach Steven Fine, who was taught by RHS head coach Daniel Baynes.

"I've got a lot of respect for Coach Baynes and what he has done at Rosewood. I thought (our boys) played good. There's a few little things we can work on here and there. Overall, they're pretty strong at consistency."

Strong?

Indeed.

Sam DeAraujo and Xan Pate, two of three seniors in the Goldsboro lineup, each posted straight-set shutouts at Nos. 1 and 2 singles, respectively. Fourth-seeded Holden Jones, the third senior among the top six, fended off feisty freshman Cole Matthews 6-2, 6-4.

Connor Pate, Aaron Podbielski and Caleb Whitted also emerged victorious for the Cougars. Whitted's straight-set decision sealed the overall outcome.

"I think when we play these teams like Goldsboro, Greene Central and Franklin Academy, it's a good test for because it's the caliber of competition we will see in the regional and dual-team (playoffs)," Baynes said. "Even tough we toted a whupping, it was a good experience for us, shows us where we need to improve."

Goldsboro's tandems of X. Pate-Whitted, DeAraujo-Jones (5-0 overall) and A. Podbielski-Nate Podbielski each secured a doubles point. It was the Cougars' second win - and shutout - over a Carolina 1-A Conference team this season.

Never one to mince words, Baynes lamented his team's second-serve struggles and its mediocre to poor net play in doubles.

Fine all but echoed Baynes' sentiments.

"Our doubles play...communication...knowing who is going to get which ball and working as a team out there," he said.

The Eagles (5-4 overall) face Princeton today and entertain Clinton on Wednesday. The Cougars (4-1) return to Herman Park for back-to-back matches against Princeton and Ayden-Grifton on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

"Even with the loss, I was pleased with Marc (Lewis) and the Matthews twins," Baynes said. "I think they held their feet to the fire and I saw some good things moving forward. We look forward to a couple of good matches this week to get us back into the swing of things."