Chargers "three-peat" as NCISAA 1A dual-team state champions

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 31, 2015 11:31 PM

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WILSON -- Gianna Democko walked off the court in tears.

A straight-set victory, it was the last match of an outstanding prep career.

Moments later, those tears of sadness turned into tears of joy.

Fellow senior Margaux Pope clinched the decisive match point and Wayne Country Day claimed its third consecutive N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A dual-team state title with a 5-1 shutout over Kerr-Vance Academy on Saturday afternoon.

"I couldn't have asked for anything else. She deserves all that recognition," said Democko, who earned all-state accolades along with Eliza Eagles, Ally Willman and Jennifer Potts.

"Me and Margs have been a team every since we were young. Last year, we played Statesville and I remember playing doubles with her because Taylor (Willman) was hurt and we had this amazing match and won at No. 1 (doubles).

"That was great for both us. I'm so proud of her."

Wayne Country Day claimed two of three doubles courts. Democko-Potts upended the Spartans' Mary Lee Johnson-Katie Steg 8-1 at the No. 1 slot. The third-seeded tandem of Pope-Langley Barnes tripped up Kayla Abbott-Genie Parrish 8-3.

KVA won No. 2 doubles.

As his team stepped onto the courts for singles play, first-year head coach Blake Vail expected Democko and Potts -- two seasoned veterans -- to handle their respective opponents.

Each won 6-0, 6-0.

But his concern appeared to be the remaining four singles matches. The Spartans stayed within striking distance at Nos. 3 and 4 singles, while Barnes and Pope easily cruised to first-set wins.

Still, Vail knew anything could happen -- including one momentum-swinging point that just might ... just might ... put pressure on his team.

He recalled his 'pep talk' with Pope.

"I told her that she was good enough to win this match," Vail said. "Go out and play to win it, not to lose it and she'd be fine. I don't think it could have worked out any better, especially (because) that's the best she's played in weeks.

"To beat a pretty good girl like that in dominant fashion, that was awesome, for sure."

Pope controlled the tempo, consistently kept the ball in play and connected on numerous winners against the Spartans' Jenna Walker. Each also hit their fare share of unforced errors, but Pope never lost focus.

"Honestly, I knew that both teams wanted it really bad so I had to get my head in the right state of mind and not let the little things get to me," Pope said of her 6-1, 6-1 win. "I just had to think about the match as a whole. (Getting the clinching point) is an amazing feeling, probably one of the best feelings of my life.

"I'm not going to lie."

When Walker hit a forehand return into the net on championship point, Pope's teammates rushed her. They met at the net for a huge group hug as cameras clicked to freeze the moment in time.

The Chargers claimed their ninth state championship in school history. Vail is third different coach over the past three years to keep WCDS atop the pedestal in dual-team play. The team won seven state crowns with Joann Logan, the last in 2013. Michael Boothman was the team's head coach in 2014.

"I'm glad I was a part of one of them," Vail said. "It feels nice."