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Coach Chris Myers has the good fortune of returning four players out of his top six from a year ago, and he has three players competing for the top spot.
Myers hopes that Salisbury’s talent and experience help the Hornets overtake traditional power Lexington in the Central Carolina Conference.
“We have to play smart,” Myers said. “We have the shot selection and the physical tools. We really have to get tougher mentally.”
The Hornets are led by senior Kenny Cibec, junior Aaron Post and senior Adam Martin, a trio that Myers could shuffle around within the top three.
They will be instrumental if the Hornets can beat the Yellow Jackets for the first time in three years.
“They’re all consistent and are close in ability,” Myers said.
Sophomore Paul Pastorini (No. 4), junior Alex Hattaway (No. 5) and junior Reid Dickert (No. 6) have rounded out the lineup early in the season.
Daniel Goodman, a freshman that is injured, and senior Jacob Post should contribute, as well.
The Falcons are like the Hornets in some ways. Coach Mary Ann Martinelli has four players that she said could move up and down between the top four spots.
Junior Mitchell Jordan, sophomore John Setliff, junior Eric Proctor and junior Matt McKee give West some depth at a crucial part of the lineup.
“From when I had them as freshmen to three years later they’ve grown a foot and a half,” Martinelli said. “And they are 10 times stronger.”
Freshmen Joe Robinson and Chad Hallett round out the lineup currently, but junior Michael Graham should contribute.
The Mustangs, who have swept matches against county foes North Rowan and South Rowan, are led up front by Wesley Perkins, the team’s top seed.
Eric Thomas and Keith Thomas have played No. 2 and No. 3 singles, while Michael Starr, Chris Sease and Greg Simpson have rounded out the lineup.
Chris Hughes’ squad is short on experience but filled with potential.
The Raiders don’t have a single junior or senior on the team. Three freshmen — No. 1 Rodney Alexander, No. 2 Graham Davis and No. 5 Brandon Bettis — have spots in the South lineup.
“Those guys, they’ve got the potential in the next year or so to be extraordinary,” Hughes said. “They are tennis players from the word go.”
Three sophomores — No. 3 Nathan Eagle, No. 4 Geoffrey Sloot and No. 6 Tim Brandt —fill the other spots in the lineup.
Alexander, who is 5-foot-2 and weight about 100 pounds, has a father and sister that have played for South in the past.
“He gets around the court real well,” Hughes said. “He’s not overpowering, but he’s real well-rounded.”
Davis, who is 6-foot-1, could flip-flop at No. 1 with Alexander.
North Rowan didn’t win a match last year, but coach David Berrier was encouraged with what he saw at the end of the season.
He likes how the Cavaliers have looked early this season even more.
“We look better now than we did even at the end of last year,” Berrier said.
The Cavs are led by No. 1 seed Brian Walton, a senior, and No. 2 seed Al Jackson, a junior.
Walton, who played No. 3 singles last season, has improved steadily since the end of last season. He won at No. 1 singles against Lexington on Tuesday.
“If you’re one of those players that likes to bust the ball, he’s a frustrating little guy to play because he gets to everything,” Berrier said. “He’s one of those guys you have to tell, ‘Remember, don’t dive, it’s a hard court.’ ”
Jackson, who played No. 1 last year, has started the year at No. 2 but could flip-flop with Walton. Basketball standout Tristan Rankin (No. 3), Joaquin Medrino (No. 4), Nicholas Lentz (No. 5) and Andrew Johnson (No. 6) round out the lineup.
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Contact Bret Strelow at 704-797-4258 or bstrelow@salisburypost.com
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