Top-seeded Chargers dispatch Northeast Academy

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 22, 2014 1:52 PM

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Shutouts have become the norm in recent matches for perennial girls' tennis powerhouse Wayne Country Day this season.

Oh, but there's room for improvement.

At least, that's Mark Phillips' assessment after the top-seeded Chargers' 9-0 conquest of Northeast Academy in quarterfinal-round action of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A dual-team playoffs Tuesday afternoon.

The reigning state champion, Wayne Country Day (17-1 overall) opposes fourth-seeded Kerr-Vance Academy (12-5) in the semifinals Friday at Barton College in Wilson. First serve is 1 p.m.

"Although the score was lopsided, we have to improve on some areas to reach our ultimate goal," said Phillips, who saw too many unforced errors and rushed attempts to finish points as he walked around the Wayne Community College courts.

Northeast head coach Joella Brown called the first-round battle a "kiss of death." Since the Association adopted the dual-team format three years ago, the Eagles (9-9) have faced the reigning state champion on each occasion.

Brown's team couldn't break through.

The Chargers lost just eight games in nine matches and posted six shutouts -- four in singles and two in doubles. Top-seeded Gianna Democko, a former doubles state champion, earned the match-clinching point with a 6-0, 6-0 decision over Northeast's Robyn Barnes.

Barely five minutes later, sisters Taylor and Ally Willman walked to the net to shake hands with their respective opponents. Taylor triumphed 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 singles, while Ally claimed a shutout at the No. 4 slot.

The lone senior, it was Taylor's final home match of her career. Her teammates decorated her court with signatures written in multi-color chalk and pink streamers tied to the fence that spelled out the initials "TWM."

"(Taylor) has been a great player for us and an even better person," Phillips said.

WCDS also received singles wins from Jennifer Potts, Eliza Eagles and Anna Allen. Democko-T. Willman, Potts-A. Willman and Eagles-Margaux Pope swept the doubles courts.