Dual-team playoffs: Eastern Wayne routs Hunt

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 24, 2007 3:10 PM

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Stay focused and work quick.

Eastern Wayne had no trouble executing that game plan in near-perfect fashion Tuesday afternoon. Racing to early advantages at every seed in first-set singles play, the Warriors easily dismissed Wilson Hunt 6-0 from the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A dual-team women's tennis playoffs.

"We knew we had to be aggressive and just play our game, set a quick pace," said Eastern Wayne junior Mollie Musgrave. "We wanted to get it done with quick."

Quick ... indeed.

The Warriors (15-1 overall) needed just 68 minutes to earn their second consecutive trip to the eastern semifinals. They'll face county archrival Charles B. Aycock next Tuesday afternoon at Herman Park.

Hunt concluded the year 12-7 overall.

"We know anything can happen (at this point) and we have to stay focused," said Musgrave, one of four underclassmen in the six-player starting lineup. "We knew they wanted to beat us and that it was important to play our game."

The second-round encounter between the Eastern Carolina Conference opponents offered little drama as the overcast conditions submitted to bright, warm sunshine toward the conclusion of the match. Eastern Wayne lost just 10 games overall in six singles tilts en route to its fifth consecutive shutout.

Musgrave's 6-0, 6-1 decision over Hunt senior Abbi Earle clinched the Warriors' 13th straight victory overall. Teammates Lindsey Frederick and Lauren Bynum each posted a straight-set shutout within minutes of each other. Frederick, who emerged the ECC singles champion nearly two weeks ago, improved to 21-1 overall.

"I knew I had to play my game, keep the ball in play and not make stupid mistakes," said Frederick, a second-year varsity player. "I was happy with the way I played today. I played smart and was confident with my shots."

Casie Musgrave, Danielle Daniel and Elizabeth Borden each picked up a singles point. Musgrave and Daniel dropped two games apiece, while Borden outlasted Hunt junior Abby Hogg 6-2, 6-3.

Victorious in four of their last five postseason matches since 2006, the Warriors eagerly anticipate a third-round battle against perennial power C.B. Aycock. Eastern Wayne won both meetings, including a five-hour, 5-4 marathon, nearly a month ago.

Frederick and Musgrave said making quick work of Hunt should help re-focus their attention on the Golden Falcons. Aycock is the last team to score a point in either singles or doubles play against Eastern Wayne.

"Our whole lineup is deep," said Frederick. "Each player has her own strategy and play their own way. The main thing is we try to be consistent and smart out there on the court.

"We are determined to make it farther than last year (in the playoffs)."

Eastern Wayne 6

Wilson Hunt 0

Singles: No. 1 Lindsey Frederick (EW) d. Keionna Love 6-0, 6-0; No. 2 Lauren Bynum (EW) d. Mary Catherine Hardison 6-0, 6-0; No. 3 Mollie Musgrave (EW) d. Abbi Earle 6-0, 6-1; No. 4 Casie Musgrave (EW) d. Madison Cauley 6-0, 6-2; No. 5 Danielle Daniel (EW) d. Paige Tyson 6-2, 6-0; No. 6 Elizabeth Borden (EW) d. Abby Hogg 6-2, 6-3.

Doubles: Not contested.

Records: Eastern Wayne 15-1, Wilson Hunt 12-7.