The Avery tennis team wrapped up a highly successful 2008 season last week with team dual meet action at Lees-McRae College against North Stokes, as well as regional singles and doubles competition.On Tuesday the Lady Vikings welcomed the Vikings from North Stokes High School to Lees McRae College for first round state duals action. Avery performed valiantly, but was unable to advance in tournament play as North emerged with the team victory.
In singles action, Avery’s Anna Melton defeated Amber Nelson 6-4,6-1, while Morgan Yackey defeated Jordan Wilkins 2-6,6-3, (7-4 in tiebreaker) to provide Avery with its two points for the afternoon.
Judi Dillishaw was defeated by North’s Holly Whitener 4-6, 4-6, while Hayden Blackburn fell to Haley Pack 1-6, 3-6, Leah Powell was defeated by Taylor York 0-6, 1-6, and Morgan Stout fell to Alysha Hutchins 1-6, 0-6.
In doubles play, the team of Yackey and Melton were defeated by North’s team of Whitener and Hutchins 5-10, mathematically eliminating the Vikings from the tournament. Avery’s team of Dillishaw and Blackburn led their opponents 7-4 and the Avery team of Lauren Avery and Leah Powell trailed 4-7 when the dual match was declared over.“I hated to see the season end. The girls played the best they could against North Stokes, and I was pleased with how we competed,” Avery head tennis coach Rhiannon Manis remarked after the matches. “There were a few close matches that could have changed the ending result, however it is such an achievement for the girls and program to have gotten this far.”
This past weekend Avery’s doubles team of Dillashaw and Blackburn competed in regional competition, as did Avery junior Anna Melton for her third consecutive year.
In singles action Melton defeated Albemarle’s Sophia Pastorini in straight sets by the scores of 6-1 and 6-1. Melton was defeated in the second round by Jessica Curtis of Gray Stone High School by the final of 2-6, 1-6.
In doubles play, senior Judi Dillashaw and junior Hayden Blackburn, undefeated the past two seasons, made their first doubles appearance in regional competition, taking on Alysha Hutchins and Holly Whitener from familiar foe North Stokes High School, falling in straight sets 6-2 and 6-2.“
All three ladies represented Avery County well. Traveling, trying to deal with the weather, and then playing tennis is not easy to do,” Coach Manis said of the girls’ performances at Regionals. “The girls adjusted and met the challenges head on and gave it everything they had. They ended their individual season on a high note, and I am very proud of their accomplishments.”
