Calvin Adkins
Sports Editor
TARBORO —
The extreme hot temperature didn't affect the Tarboro Vikings while hosting the Northern Nash Knights Wednesday during a non-conference match.
The Vikings cruised to 9-1 victory over the Knighst and improved their record to 6-2 for the season. Vikings 5th seed Kalynn Bridgers and 6th seed Sarah Grady both won their matches 6-0, 6-0. Bridgers and Grady, the 3rd seed double partners also blanked their opponent 8-0.
The Vikings lone lost was the first team double Elizabeth Thompson and Morgan King who fell to the Knights Emily Moedl and Katie Brown.
"Every girl played extremely hard in today's match," said Vikings Coach Billy Stroother. "We executed at a high level and played with a lot of energy. Northern Nash has a very good team this year."
Strother helped put the Tarboro tennis team on the map. Last year he led the Vikings to a 22-3 record, the Eastern Plain Conference tournament title and to the second round of the state playoffs.
Since Strother has been at the helm, Eastern Plain Conference foe Greene Central has been a thorn in his side. Greene Central is one of the team that defeated the Vikings this season. The last time the Vikings (6-2) beat Rams was 1996. Strother is hoping to find a way to overcome their obstacle. Willimington Laney also defeated the Vikings (5-4) this season.
"Greene Central has an outstanding coach and a great group of tennis players," Strother said. "We must first believe that we can beat them. We also have to execute at a high level and give a total effort from start to finish. We must work hard to make ourselves better each and every day."
Tarboro is ranked No. 3 in the N.C. High School Coaches Tennis Association Poll. A good season for the Vikings would be finishing higher in the state playoffs than last season.
"Our expectations are very high this year," he said. "We have an experienced group that is committed to working very hard and improving each day. If we do that and give our best effort every time out we believe that we will have a great regular season and make a strong run in the playoffs."
