FROM STAFF REPORTS
FROM STAFF REPORTS
TARBORO —
The Tarboro Vikings host the first round of the NCHSAA 2-A state playoffs Monday. The played First Flight and defeated them 5-1.
Tarboro came out ready to play and made easy work of their opponents. The were able to keep rallies going and force First Flight players to make mistakes, which worked into the advantage of Tarboro.
"The players put together a very solid match by playing consistent tennis on every court," Tarboro head coach Billy Strother said. "We forced long rallies and kept the ball in play from start to finish. This was one of our smartest matches of the season."
Tarboro's No. 1 seed Lane Long pulled off an impressive win against First Flight's No. 1 seed Eban Wells. Wells hadn't lost a match this season, until Long defeated him. Long defeated Wells in two sets 6-3 and 6-4.
"Lane worked very hard in his match," Strother said. "He kept rallies alive and never trailed in the match."
Long improves his overall record to 20-3 on the season, which leads the team
Tarboro's No. 2 seed Robbie Collins is the only Viking to lose a match. He was defeated by Alex Williams 6-4, 6-1.
The Vikings No. 6 seed Cole McIntyre made easy work of his opponent Zac Smith. McIntyre won every both sets and only lost one game through the entire match. He defeated Smith 6-1 and 6-0.
Tarboro will host the winner of Topsail and Franklin in the second round of the playoffs Tuesday.
All six of the Vikings tennis players will compete in the 2-A Eastern Regionals Friday and Saturday at Greene Central High School in Snow Hill.
No. 1 seed Long defeated Wells 6-3, 6-4
No. 2 seed Williams defeated Collins 6-4, 6-1
No. 3 seed Nguyen defeated Lam 6-1, 6-1
No. 4 seed LaDuke defeated Wilkerson 6-2, 6-1
No. 5 seed Hare defeated Jones 6-1, 6-1
No. 6 seed McIntyre defeated Smith 6-1, 6-0
