Tennis: Cox sweeps Eastern Region titles

By John Streit

Correspondent

NEWPORT NEWS

After a rain delay and venue change extended Friday’s Eastern Region boys tennis team finals into the early evening, it was only appropriate the outcome would be decided by the last court.

And it took a Falcon with a wounded wing to make the difference in the seven-hour slugfest between Beach District powers.

Led by Ian Fraser, who separated his right shoulder during his opening-round match Tuesday against Heritage , Cox outlasted Princess Anne 5-4 to win the region final that started under sunny skies at Huntington Park but ended indoors at Centre Court Racquet Club.

Fraser, Cox’s Longwood-bound No. 1 player, had a hand in two straight-set victories that proved pivotal in knocking off the Beach District regular season champs. At Huntington Park, Fraser made quick work of the Cavaliers’ Grant Cutchin 6-2, 6-2 before teaming with Cameron Brawley indoors to beat the duo of Cutchin and Connor Hoerr 6-1, 6-1 for the clincher.

“We wanted this on his shoulders, he said,” Cox coach George Schwenk said. “He put us over the top. We’re lucky to win.”

With limited motion and an underhanded serve, Fraser paced the Falcons, who fell earlier in the season to the Cavaliers with Fraser suspended.

“It hurt, man. I couldn’t hit any overheads, I couldn’t hit above my shoulder,” he said. “I’m glad I was able to come through and beat them.”

Cox trailed Princess Anne 3-2 when the final match between Hoerr and Brawley was suspended while a thunderstorm passed through the area.

They were deadlocked at one set each when play resumed at Centre Court, but Brawley surged past Hoerr 6-3 in the decisive frame to even the team score 3-3.

Princess Anne’s second doubles team of Sam Stearney and Kevin Garcia gave the Cavs a 4-3 edge after their straight-set (6-3, 6-1) ouster of Connor Fanney and Tobias Joergensen. But Cox’s No. 3 team of Shane Gill and Carter Ferguson won in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 just moments before Fraser and Brawley sealed the title.

Cox girls down First Colonial despite injury

By John Streit

Correspondent

NEWPORT NEWS

A return off First Colonial’s Kathryn-Lee Moncure’s racquet forced Cox’s Katie Mayo to make an immediate pivot on her left ankle. But as she lunged toward the ball, her leg had different plans than her foot.

“My foot just twisted, and I heard this bone go pop,” she said. “I was just like, 'Oh gosh …’ I was kind of freaking out.”

Mayo, leading after winning the opening set and with a three-point lead in the second, sat on the floor of Centre Court Racquet Club clutching her ankle.

Shaken, she resumed only to have the rest of the middle frame dominated by the quick-striking Moncure, who rallied for the equalizing victory.

But then Mayo, Cox’s No. 6 singles player, adjusted to her suddenly shaky footing and found a way to take the final set.

Her victory gave Cox a decisive edge heading into doubles competition, which proved easy for their No. 1 team as the Falcons earned their eighth consecutive Eastern Region team title with a 5-2 win over First Colonial. The contest began Friday at Huntington Park, but was moved to Centre Court Racquet Club after an afternoon storm forced the tournament inside.

Mayo’s gritty performance highlighted Cox’s dismantling of the Patriots, who despite having suffered three lopsided loses in singles, had an opportunity to even the score 3-3 when Mayo injured her ankle.

“I was like, 'I’ve got to do this,’ ” Mayo said. “I felt like I just won the region, basically, because I knew (the doubles teams) could do it. One of my teammates came up to me and said, 'You have no idea what you just did.’ ”

Cox coach George Schwenk added: “She’s a sophomore, and this was her first big match. Mentally, she got a little bit out when she got hurt, but she came out in that third set and showed guts.”

Mayo’s win ensured Cox entered doubles competition with a 4-2 advantage.

The Falcons immediately capitalized on the lead when their No. 1 team of Faith Atiso and Jenny Lee defeated First Colonial’s Alex Ritter and Jordan McEwen 6-0, 6-1 to clinch the championship.

Boys Eastern Region final

Cox 5, Princess Anne 4

Fraser (C) d. Cutchin, 6-2, 6-2; Brawley (C) d. Hoerr, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4; Stearney (PA) d. Owens, 6-2, 6-1; Garcia (PA) d. Gill, 6-0, 6-4; Solis (PA) d. Ferguson, 4-6, 6-0, 6-0; Fanney (C) d. Farina, 6-0,,6-0. Doubles: Fraser-Brawley d. Cutchin-Hoerr, 6-0,l 6-1; Stearney-Garcia d. Fanney-Joergensen, 6-3, 6-1; Ferguson-Gill d. Solis-Smith, 6-0, 6-1.

Girls Eastern Region final

Cox 5, First Colonial 2

Ritter (FC) d. Atiso, 6-0, 6-3; Lee (C) d. Luke, 6-1, 6-4; Goode (C) d. McEwen, 6-1, 6-1; Ridlon (C) d. Coudan, 6-0, 6-0; Dawson (FC) d. Velo, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4; Mayo (C) d. Moncure, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. Doubles: Atiso-Lee d. Ritter-McEwen, 6-0, 6-1.