Staff report
East Rowan’s girls tennis team lost 6-0 to visiting Marvin Ridge in the second round of the 3A dual-team playoffs Wednesday.
The Mustangs (15-3) had four new starters this season, tied Statesville for first place in the NPC and beat the Greyhounds in a tiebreaker match that enabled East to be at home for both of its playoff encounters.
“I’m very proud of them,” East coach Laurie Wyrick said. “We only had two coming back. To be able to win conference and get this far, I was happy.”
The closest match Wednesday, completed after Marvin Ridge (14-2) had clinched the team victory, involved East No. 2 seed Devan Corpening. Minali Nigam won 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, (10-1).Hannah Florian won 6-2, 6-0 against top-seeded Brittany Honeycutt, Danielle David won 6-0, 6-0 against third-seeded Megan Bullins, Mariel Emery won 6-2, 6-0 against fourth-seeded Kayla Wilson, Hannah Farley won 6-4, 6-0 against fifth-seeded Katie Cassady and Paige Nester won 6-0, 6-2 against sixth-seeded Hannah Pressley.
Honeycutt, Cassady and Brett Kesler ó who teamed with Cassady for a pair of decisive doubles wins against Statesville ó are seniors.
“They were very important to the team,” Wyrick said, “and they were good leaders for us.”