Southern Wayne junior Yeimi Sanchez Martinez pulled out a marathon, two-set victory at No. 4 singles during the Saints’ 5-4 victory over East Wayne on Wednesday afternoon. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com
DUDLEY — As twilight began to descend on the Southern Wayne tennis courts Wednesday evening, all eyes turned toward Yeimi Sanchez Martinez.
Tied at 4-4, the junior found herself embroiled in a battle with East Wake sophomore Berniece Martinez. Yeimi expended considerable energy during an opening-set, 7-5 win.
Somehow, she had enough left in the tank.
The two traded numerous deuce points and the intensity magnified during each changeover. The two needed a tiebreaker to decide the outcome, which Yeimi won 8-6.
Her straight-set decision vaulted the Saints to a 5-4 victory — its in Quad County 3A Conference play this season. Southern Wayne also halted a 12-game skid against league opposition.
“Yeimi played an opponent with a similar game style,” SW head coach David Van Dyke said. “That was the longest and most-thrilling singles match of the day.”
Van Dyke named Yeimi as the player-of-the-match.
Second-seeded Kylie Hyde rallied from a 0-5, second-set deficit to East Wake freshman Grace Smith 6-0, 7-5.
Charity Van Dyke, a returning eastern regional doubles qualifier, cruised to a straight-set shutout at No. 1 singles. Third-seeded Ameya Randolph prevailed 6-2, 6-2.
East Wake triumphed at Nos. 5 and 6 singles.
Van Dyke-Hyde dominated at No. 1 doubles — an 8-1 romp over the Warriors’ senior duo of Kayley Rodriguez-Amy Sparks.
The Warriors won Nos. 2 and 3 doubles.
“The team had to fight hard to secure the win,” Van Dyke said.
Southern Wayne (1-6 overall) returns to action today at Goldsboro High School. First serve is 4 p.m. at Herman Park.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
Southern Wayne 5, East Wake 4
Singles: No. 1 — Charity Van Dyke (SW) d. Kayley Rodriguez (EW), 6-0, 6-0; No. 2 — Kylie Hyde (SW) d. Grace Smith (EW), 6-0, 7-5; No. 3 — Ameya Randolph (SW) d. Esmerelda Martinez (EW), 6-2, 6-2; No. 4 — Yeimi Sanchez Martinez (SW) d. Berniece Martinez (EW), 7-5, 7-6 (6); No. 5 — Amy Sparks (EW) d. Ilsy Cabrera Carrera (SW), 6-1, 6-0; No.6 — Morgan Mills (EW) d. Cindy Cabrera Sanchez (SW), 6-4, 6-1.
Doubles: No. 1 — Van Dyke-Hyde (SW) d. Rodriguez-Sparks (EW), 8-1; — Smith-Martinez (EW) d. Randolph-Martinez (SW), 8-6; No. 3 — Martin-Mills (EW) d. Carrera-Sanchez (SW), 8-3.
