Southern Wayne’s Drew Bryan keeps his eye on the ball during a forehand return against Smithfield-Selma’s Jose Angel Melchor-Ortiz on Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Aaron Whiting serves against Smithfield-Selma’s Gavin Nguyen at No. 2 singles Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Evin Williams flips the scorecards during a changeover at No. 4 singles. Williams defeated the Spartans’ Elijah Matthews 6-2, 6-1.
Southern Wayne’s Matt Blizzard taps a backhand return to Smithfield-Selma’s Terance Smith during their No. 5 singles match Thursday afternoon. Blizzard trailed 4-3 in the first set and won the next nine games to defeat Smith 6-4, 6-0. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Evin Williams connects on a backhand shot against Smithfield-Selma’s Jamal Parson during their No. 4 singles match Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Hudson Hulet returns a forehand against Smithfield-Selma freshman Elijah Matthews at No. 3 singles Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s tennis team snapped a 10-match skid with a 6-3 victory over Smithfield-Selma on Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s four seniors, from left, Alejandro Guzman, Evin Williams, Drew Bryan and Ian Whipkey, can hardly wait to cut the celebration cake after a 6-3 win over Smithfield-Selma on Thursday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
DUDLEY — Saints be praised!
Southern Wayne snapped a 10-match skid on the tennis courts with a 6-3 triumph over Quad County 3A rival Smithfield-Selma on a sunny and breezy Thursday afternoon.
Saints head coach David Van Dyke recognized four seniors — Drew Bryan, Evin Williams, Ian Whiskey and Alejandro Guzman – after the match concluded.
Seeded No. 4 singles, Williams picked up a 6-2, 6-1 decision over Spartans sophomore Jamal Parson.
Three underclassmen — junior Aaron Whiting, sophomore Hudson Hulet and junior Matt Blizzard — each picked up a singles point.
Whiting prevailed 6-4, 6-2 at No. 2 singles. Hulet, the No. 3 seed, cruised past SSS freshman Elijah Matthews 6-1, 6-1. Blizzard trailed 4-3 in the opening set and won nine consecutive games to defeat Terance Smith 6-4, 6-0.
Southern Wayne earned walkovers at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles due to Smithfield-Selma just having five players. The Spartans took both doubles points with 8-2 and 9-8 (2) wins.
The Saints (1-10 overall, 1-9 QCC) return home Thursday to play West Johnston. Play begins at 3:30 p.m.
