By Staff
Staff Reports
WILSON — Beth Batchelor certainly had her stroke working Friday. The Washington Pam Pack junior breezed through Friday’s opening day of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A Eastern Regional tennis tournament, winning both of her matches at the Barton College tennis courts.
Batchelor, the No. 3 seed, took down South Central’s Molly Hostetler 6-2, 6-1 in the first round. The Washington No. 1 singles player then defeated Charles B. Aycock’s Ashley Howell 6-4, 6-2, automatically qualifying Batchelor for next week’s state tournament in Burlington.
“I know she’s excited about qualifying,” Washington coach Michelle Elks said. “I think she may be a bit overwhelmed, but she’s ready to play again. She played great and played smart.
“We’re excited for her. This will also be my first time going to state so I’m excited, too.”
Batchelor will be back on the court today, as she faces Northern Nash freshman Randi Price, the No. 2 seed. The semifinals begin at 9 a.m.
Senior Hayley Stowe saw her exceptional season come to a close. South Brunswick’s Summer Phillips, the No. 4 seed, took a 6-4, 6-4 win over Stowe.
Washington’s doubles teams also fell in the first round. Northern Nash’s Emily Moedl and Katie Beaman, the No. 5 seed, defeated the Pack duo of Tierra Locklear and Janie Page, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3.
Rocky Mount’s Addie Keeter and Caroline Nelson, the No. 4 seed, beat Washington’s D’Lorah Pierce and Shannon Niederhauser, 6-3, 6-0.
“We had a tough draw today,” Elks said. “We made a great showing. I was proud of the girls.”