Salisbury’s girls tennis team made its longest trip of the season only to have rehashed what it’s known all along. That being the Hornets are still the premier 2A program in the state.
Salisbury defeated a stout Brevard team 6-0 Tuesday in the second round of the state playoffs to resume its quest for a sixth-straight championship.
SHS and Brevard squared off in the state semifinal last year with the Hornets winning 5-2. Tuesday’s match at the end of the 31/2 trek west was decided after an hour and a half.
“I was concerned coming in,” said first-year Salisbury coach Scott Maddox. “I was surprised with the result, but with this group you know not to doubt them. We really came out and played well.”
The Hornets (15-3) hit the road in the second round due to having a lower winning percentage than Brevard, who only dropped two matches to Salisbury’s three during the regular season. Salisbury will be back home for the third round Monday against Hendersonville (10-3), who beat Shelby 5-4 Tuesday.
Salisbury’s No. 1 singles player Alexandra Drye beat Taylor Snowdon 7-5, 6-2. Snowden and teammate Emma McLeod beat Katelyn Storey/Anna Flynn last year in the state doubles championship.
“The big thing was Alexandra lost to that girl last year,” Maddox said. “She was excited about beating her.”
Madeline Hoskins, who played 18 holes of golf in the 1A/2A regional championship Tuesday morning before jetting off and catching the team bus at a Chick-fil-A in Hickory. Hoskins won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4. Kayla Honeycutt, Flynn, Kathryn Rusher and Grace Steinman also won singles matches. SHS has all six players from Tuesday in this weekend’s individual state tournament in Cary.
“It was a long ride and I’m glad we didn’t have to go to doubles,” Maddox joked.
Bandys and Lake Norman Charter are the other two teams that remain alive in the west bracket.