Prep tennis: Hornets hold off conference challenger

Published 10:36 pm Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Staff report

SALISBURY — Salisbury is headed for another Central Carolina Conference championship in boys tennis.

Salisbury, coached by Milton Griffith, won a tough fight with second-place Ledford on Wednesday, 5-4. The Hornets had won at Ledford, 7-2, on March 13.

Salisbury’s Ethan McGee took a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Chris Hartzell at No. 2 singles. Adam Drye won at No. 4, 6-2, 6-4, against Brian Norton. Sean Archer won at No. 5, 6-2, 7-5, against Braxton White. Juan Salazar won at No. 6, beating Troy Goforth, 6-0, 6-2.

Ledford took two singles matches with Sam Hartzell topping Roarke Burton, 6-3,6-3, at No. 1, and Brenner White beating Jander Rodas-Palacios, 1-6, 6-1, (10-7) at No. 3.

Salisbury got the clinching doubles victory at No. 3 from Salazar/Rodas-Palacios. They won against Braxton White/Goforth, 6-1, 6-2.

Ledford won at No. 1 doubles with the Hartzells topping Drye/Burton, 6-1, 6-4.

Brenner White/Norton beat McGee/Archer 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) at No. 2 doubles.

Ledford (13-2) has lost only to the Hornets this season.

Salisbury (15-0) has three CCC matches left. The Hornets play at East Davidson today and finish the regular season next week against North Davidson (home) and South Rowan (road.

Salisbury has won an outright championship in CCC boys tennis every year since 2010. In 2009, Salisbury shared the crown with Ledford and Lexington.

Salisbury is 100-0 in CCC matches in the last nine seasons.

The league tournament that will qualify players for regionals will be held on April 23-24 at Lexington.

SALISBURY 5, LEDFORD 4

Singles

Sam Hartzell (L) def. Roarke Burton (S), 6-3, 6-3

Ethan McGee (S) def. Chris Hartzell (L), 6-3, 6-3

Brenner White (L) def. Jander Rodas-Palacios, 1-6, 6-1 (10-7)

Adam Drye (S) def. Brian Norton (L), 6-2, 6-4

Sean Archer (S) def. Braxton White (L), 6-2, 7-5

Juan Salazar (S) def. Troy Goforth, 6-0, 6-2

Doubles

Hartzell/Hartzell (L) def. Burton/Drye, 6-1, 6-4

Brenner White/Norton (L) def. McGee/Archer, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)

Salazar/Rodas-Palacios (S) def. Braxton White/Goforth, 6-1, 6-2