EW's Jackson improves to 4-0

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on March 6, 2008 1:49 PM

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From staff reports

Drew Jackson continued his early-season, unbeaten run on the singles scene in men's tennis, but Eastern Wayne still seeks consistency as a team during its non-conference schedule.

Jackson improved to 4-0 overall with a 6-3, 6-3 conquest of New Bern's Isaac Clowers on Wednesday afternoon. But the visiting Bears escaped with a 5-4 victory on the Wayne Community College courts, and completed their regular-season sweep of the Warriors.

Eastern Wayne (1-3 overall) lost two crucial tiebreakers in singles. Third-seeded Chris Knobling, a newcomer to the lineup, stumbled 6-1, 5-7, 7-10 against the Bears' Adam Bryan. Teammate Charlie Umstead, seeded sixth, lost 3-6, 6-4, 9-11 against Warren Byrd.

"We had our chances to pull it out," said Warriors head coach Nancy Dawson.

New Bern also triumphed at Nos. 4 and 5 singles.

David Benton accounted for the Warriors' other point with a 6-3, 6-0 triumph over Ricky Nelson. Jackson, Benton and fourth-seeded Eric Barnes return off last year's team, which reached the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A dual-team eastern regional championship.

Jackson-Benton and Knobling-Barnes each prevailed in doubles.

The Bears sealed the outcome with an 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles.

Eastern Wayne snapped its two-match skid earlier in the week with 9-0 rout of North Lenoir. Benton, Barnes and newcomer Thomas Jackson each captured a third-set tiebreaker in singles play.

Drew Jackson, Knobling and Umstead won in straight sets. Knobling lost just one game.

The Warriors travel to North Lenoir next Tuesday.