RMHS netters fall to Firebirds, top No. Nash
April 18, 2009 Rocky Mount High School
STANHOPE - In a match for a share of the NEW 6 tennis lead, the Rocky Mount Gryphons fell 7-2 to three-time defending champion Southern Nash Wednesday.
On bright spot was the play of senior Alex Durham. He upset Southern's No. 1 player Julian Paulsen 6-7, 6-2, 7-6, and teamed up with doubles partner Gavin Stone to beat Paulsen and Jordan Hagler 9-7 to pickup RMHS' points.
"Alex showed why he should be a candidate for conference Player of the Year today with a win in singles and doubles," said Rocky Mount head coach Barry Nethercutt. "In singles, he actually served for the first set at 6-5, but didn't hold and played a horrible, error-filled tie breaker. But after losing that set, he actually picked up his level of play with some great service returns and excellent shot selections.
"He also played an outstanding third set tie breaker winning 10-4," Nethercutt said. "He was aggressive and won every point when he got to the net. He and Gavin (Stone) put together their best doubles match so far in their 9-7 win. Their service returns were very good for the most part and they were able to keep the ball in play when Southern hit great shots and were able to finish points at the net when the right ball was there.
"If we can get by Fike next week we will finish second in the conference which is a nice job since I thought we could finish fifth at the start of the season."
Southern Nash 7, Rocky Mount 2
Singles
1. Alex Durham (RM) def. Julian Paulsen 6-7 (7-1), 6-2, 7-6 (10-4)
2. Jordan Hagler (SN) def. Gavin Stone 6-3, 6-0
3. Issac Arnold (SN) def. Ross Bradley 6-2, 7-5
4. Adam Glover (SN) def. Kayshap Kaul 6-2, 6-0
5. Will Mathews (SN) def. John Hader 6-1, 6-0
6. Clay Mathews (SN) def. Carson Gardner 6-0, 6-0
Doubles
1. Durham/Stone (RM) def. Paulsen/Hagler 9-7
2. Arnold/C Mathews (SN) def. Bradley/Kaul 8-5
3. Glover/W Mathews (SN) def. Gardner/Hader 8-1
Record: 6-5 overall, 4-2 in NEW 6 play.
Rocky Mount 6, Northern Nash 3
Singles
1. Alex Durham (RM) def. Michael Brackett 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (10-6)
2. Gavin Stone (RM) def. Adam Ward 6-0, 5-7, 7-6 (10-3)
3. Ross Bradley (RM) def. Chris Sawyer 6-0, 6-2
4. Kayshap Kaul (RM) def. Bryson Williams 6-1, 6-3
5. Dylan Crumpton (NN) def. John Hader 6-0, 6-3
6. Jonah Richardson (NN) def. Will Garrison 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1. Durham/Stone (RM) def. Brackett/Sawyer 8-5
2. Bradley/Kaul (RM) def. Ward/Williams 8-5
3. Crumpton/Richardson (NN) def. Hader/Garrison 8-3 |
NATIONAL
NORTH CAROLINA
