Lady Warrior Tennis downs the Wolfpack in a 5-0 region win
The NC Lady Warrior tennis team collected a 5-1 record during the month of February. Despite getting their season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lady Warriors hold high expectations for this season and the years following. Coach Andrea Drake (pictured top middle) constantly reminds her team to play their game and practice strong mental toughness. With strong players for both the singles and doubles lines, NC looks to add an additional region championship to their name.
March 5, 2021
The NC Lady Warrior varsity tennis team (6-1, 1-0) dominated the North Paulding Wolfpack (2-4, 0-1) on March 4 in ideal match weather. Coming off a 3-2 win over the Carrollton Trojans, the Lady Warriors, led by head coach Andrea Drake, looked to keep their momentum rolling, and did so with a mix of veteran leadership and underclass potential.
“I think the team’s morale and attitude were in a good place going into this match. We were able to go out and be supportive of each other, and as a result we played really well. We went out and earned a hard-fought, clean sweep 5-0 win,” NC varsity doubles player Alex Preston said.
NC varsity senior Karen Graham played aggressive despite facing injuries, and put up a 6-0 6-1 win at line two singles. Graham, a student athlete in NC’s International Studies Magnet program, rotates between both singles and doubles. NC varsity freshman Mana Fawcett dictated play with her strong baseline game, posting a 6-0 6-0 victory at line one singles. Fawcett boasts a 3 star rating on Tennis Recruiting and climbed into the top 50 for the GA USTA girl’s state rankings. The doubles duo of NC varsity senior Olivia Drake and varsity sophomore Jordyn Zignego made quick work of their opponents, winning 6-0 6-3 at the line one doubles spot, which clinched the team victory. NC varsity sophomore Emma Preston added in a 6-4 6-1 win at the three singles spot, and NC varsity seniors Alex Preston and Emily Boughner finished out the night with a 6-1 6-1 victory at the line two doubles position. The Lady Warriors finished their night with a celebratory team huddle, starting region play off right.
“I expect more out of myself and this team as we enter region play. We have some tough matches ahead of us, but I’m confident that we will perform our best and leave it all on the court,” Preston said.
The NC Lady Warrior tennis team consists of a talented group of players and a tremendous coaching staff. After winning a region title just 3 years ago, the Lady Warriors aim to spear another one against new region competitors. As the team finishes up region matches and region playoffs, NC hopes to make a deep run into the state playoffs. Before looking ahead to that though, the Lady Warriors know to take each match, each game, and each point at a time. Make sure to catch your Lady Warriors as they take on the Walton Lady Raiders on March 9 at home.
