Staff report

DOBSON — Salisbury’s girls tennis team won again on Monday afternoon.

The Hornets (22-1) prevailed with relative ease against previously unbeaten Surry Central on the road, 6-0. Doubles, obviously, weren’t required.

“The team played extremely well today,” Salisbury coach Milton Griffith said. “So proud how this team is playing as a unified group, supporting each other.”

The victory in a 2A quarterfinal propels the Hornets into a state semifinal match on Wednesday afternoon. The Hornets will have their biggest test of the season when they take on Lake Norman Charter. The Huntersville-based LNC Knights have won the last three 2A state championships.

LNC won against Maiden, 5-3, on Monday.

Salisbury will get to host Lake Norman Charter, as the Hornets have the better winning percentage. Lake Norman Charter is 14-1.

In Monday’s match, Maria Capito won at No. 1 singles for the Hornets. She prevailed 6-1, 6-2 against Hannah Pardue.

Julia Honeycutt won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 singles against Sarah Wyble in a matchup of two seniors.

Emma Nianouris won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3 singles over Sarah Marion.

At No. 4, Lillian Rusher defeated Haily Robertson 6-1, 6-0. Meredith Burton was a winner at No. 5 by 6-1, 6-0 against Mamie Smith. No. 6 seed Bethanie Staffer won against Mattie Grace Snow 6-2, 6-0

Surry Central had been very strong at the lower seeds all season. It’s No. 5 and No. 6 players were undefeated in the regular season.

Stauffer hasn’t lost in a dual team match all season. Capito, Honeycutt and Rusher have lost once.

Salisbury’s success on Monday wasn’t unexpected. The Hornets had already breezed to dual team playoff wins against Jordan-Matthews and East Montgomery. Salisbury qualified its top six players for the recent individual regionals and five of those six advanced to last weekend’s individual state championship tournament, with Capito and Honeycutt reaching the semifinals as a doubles team.

Lake Norman Charter had three girls who were strong in the 2A individual state tournament. Zoe Panizza made the semifinals in singles. The LNC doubles team of Lauren Bush/Annie Thomas finished as state runner-up.

Salisbury has girls tennis tradition that’s as good anyone’s. The Hornets are in the dual team state playoffs for the 28th time. Salisbury is 96-17 all-time after winning on Monday, and that’s more playoff wins than any school in the state, regardless of classification.

Salisbury owns 10 dual team state titles, seven in 2A and three in 1A/2A. Raleigh’s Broughton High has 11 titles. Charlotte Catholic is tied with Salisbury for second place.

The Hornets also have been dual team state runner-up three times.

On Wednesday, the Hornets will be shooting for another regional title and another trip to a state final. The championships will be held in Burlington on Nov. 4.