Warriors' Sutton 'surprised' about ECC accolade

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on February 10, 2014 1:49 PM

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Faith Sutton isn't too sure of her future in tennis.

But she certainly left a lasting impression during her prep career that spanned a combined five seasons at Wayne Christian and Eastern Wayne High School.

The list of accolades includes a singles state title, a regional doubles championship, an all-conference player-of-the-year award and five regular-season team conference crowns.

That's not all.

Sutton and cousin, Savannah, recently earned a spot on the 2013 Team Connection 3-A Eastern Region squad, which is selected by the N.C. High School Tennis Coaches Association. Team Connection is a uniform company that sponsors all-region and all-state certificates for players through the NCHSTCA.

The duo emerged as the 2013 eastern 3-A regional doubles champions and advanced to the state tournament for the second straight year. They finished 21-2 this past season and 31-10 overall in two campaigns with the Warriors.

"We've always been close, so we're not afraid to criticize each other (on the court) and I feel like that's what made us better," Sutton said. "Savannah is a really aggressive player at the net and could put away a lot of balls. I like to hit from the baseline and set her up to where she could put it away."

Eastern Wayne concluded the year 16-1 overall and swept the regular-season series against all six Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference opponents. The Warriors won their second straight league crown and sixth overall in program history since 2007.

Sutton was named the ECC player-of-the-year.

"Surprised," Sutton said of the honor. "(C.B. Aycock's) Ashton (Walker) ended up beating me the last time I played her, so I assumed she'd end up getting it. It was a good year and probably the most fun year I've played, also frustrating being number one (seed) on a team and losing because I don't like losing.

"Out of the top six (starters), three of them are my best friends and it was fun to be on the team with them, and go to matches together."

Sutton started her career at Wayne Christian. She became the first-ever individual state champion in program history when she won the No. 2 singles flight -- as an eighth-grader -- during the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A championships in 2010.

A year earlier, Sutton finished runner-up at the same flight.

The Eagles won three Carolina Christian 1-A Conference championships with Sutton in the lineup. She transferred to Eastern Wayne after her freshman year, but had to sit out her sophomore season due to the county's transfer rule.

Some small colleges have shown interest in Sutton, who plans to attend Meredith and possibly pursue a degree in psychology. She has met and spoken with the tennis coach, but didn't say if she'll play with the NCAA Division III program.