RMA falls in first round of NCISAA tennis playoffs
BY SAMUEL EVERS
Sports Writer ROCKY MOUNT TELEGRAM
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
After a successful season that included an undefeated record in league play and a conference title, the descriptive word for Rocky Mount Academy’s tennis team at the end of its home playoff match on Tuesday came easy.
“It’s frustrating,” said head coach Gayle High, whose team finished with a 7-5 record. “Definitely frustrating.”
There were good moments throughout the day -- doubles wins, tie-breaking sets and tense volleys, but in the end it was close but not quite enough. The Eagles were eventually bested by visiting Cary Christian, 6-3, ending RMA’s season in the opening round of the NCISAA playoffs.
Still, said High, the loss doesn’t change a fun season with a young team.
“They really have had a good year,” she said. “We had some really kind of tough losses, but we’re young -- six courts and we don’t have a senior on one.”
The day for the Eagles began well, with RMA taking two of three in doubles play, including a win for Haven Ross and Ann Sumner Thorp, who were undefeated this season as partners.
But Cary Christian got its revenge in singles play, taking all but one of the six matchups for the win. Ross, RMA’s no. 1 player, had to retire her match early because of an illness.
“I’m sorry that our no. 1 was sick because that could have made a big difference,” High said.
No. 5 Ada Everette was the lone Eagle to take home a singles victory, winning her match by a 6-1, 6-1 set score.
The closest individual match came between Thorp and Morgan-Elizabeth Carriker, who each took one of the first two sets. The third set went to a tie-breaker, and after a competitive round of volleys, the fortune eventually went Carriker’s way, who won the decider, 10-7.
“I was actually OK after because it was a really fun match. (Carriker) was so nice,” Thorp said. “We were just happy that we had a competitive match. We were equally matched. It was the closest I had had all year.”
After the drama of her match was over, Thorp exchanged a hug and an agreement with her coach: that they would be better next year.
“It was a great year, we were conference champs so I can say our team did really great,” Thorp said. “We’re sad we lost but we’re happy with how we played.”
BY SAMUEL EVERS
Sports Writer ROCKY MOUNT TELEGRAM
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
After a successful season that included an undefeated record in league play and a conference title, the descriptive word for Rocky Mount Academy’s tennis team at the end of its home playoff match on Tuesday came easy.
“It’s frustrating,” said head coach Gayle High, whose team finished with a 7-5 record. “Definitely frustrating.”
There were good moments throughout the day -- doubles wins, tie-breaking sets and tense volleys, but in the end it was close but not quite enough. The Eagles were eventually bested by visiting Cary Christian, 6-3, ending RMA’s season in the opening round of the NCISAA playoffs.
Still, said High, the loss doesn’t change a fun season with a young team.
“They really have had a good year,” she said. “We had some really kind of tough losses, but we’re young -- six courts and we don’t have a senior on one.”
The day for the Eagles began well, with RMA taking two of three in doubles play, including a win for Haven Ross and Ann Sumner Thorp, who were undefeated this season as partners.
But Cary Christian got its revenge in singles play, taking all but one of the six matchups for the win. Ross, RMA’s no. 1 player, had to retire her match early because of an illness.
“I’m sorry that our no. 1 was sick because that could have made a big difference,” High said.
No. 5 Ada Everette was the lone Eagle to take home a singles victory, winning her match by a 6-1, 6-1 set score.
The closest individual match came between Thorp and Morgan-Elizabeth Carriker, who each took one of the first two sets. The third set went to a tie-breaker, and after a competitive round of volleys, the fortune eventually went Carriker’s way, who won the decider, 10-7.
“I was actually OK after because it was a really fun match. (Carriker) was so nice,” Thorp said. “We were just happy that we had a competitive match. We were equally matched. It was the closest I had had all year.”
After the drama of her match was over, Thorp exchanged a hug and an agreement with her coach: that they would be better next year.
“It was a great year, we were conference champs so I can say our team did really great,” Thorp said. “We’re sad we lost but we’re happy with how we played.”
