WALLBURG – Ledford had a bit of a rough start to the playoffs, but it was still successful.
The sixth-seeded Panthers struggled to fight their way through illness to split in singles, then won two of three in doubles to edge 27th-seeded Oak Grove 5-4 Monday at Ledford in the first round of the NCHSAA 3A West double team. women’s tennis playoffs.
“Given the factors, we took one out,” Ledford coach Jason Anderson said. “Having to face a conference opponent in the first round, someone who knows you and you with them – I think they were missing a few as well.
“I was very impressed with the resilience of their girls. So it was a matter of doubling and having to win two out of three. We got the two wins we needed, and we’ll move on to the next round and see what happens.
The Panthers advanced to face No. 11 North Lincoln in the second round on Wednesday. The winner of that matchup will face No. 3 Atkins or No. 14 West Rowan in the third round on Monday – following the individual state championships on Friday and Saturday.
“I felt good after getting the win,” said Clodfelter, who won the 3A Midwest regional singles title and will compete in this weekend’s 3A tournament in Burlington. “They’re a great team and they’re super friendly and have great sportsmanship. It’s always nice to play against a team that knows how to play fair, so I appreciate that.
Clodfelter and Katherine Goodman earned convincing singles victories at Nos. 1 and 2 for the Panthers (15-4), who were without No. 3 Sallie Hagee. The rest of the singles order moved up one spot – and Antonella Santillan came away with a key win at No. 5 for a 3-3 draw heading into doubles.
The Grizzlies’ Sophia Broverman-Chappell won a long game at No. 3, while No. 4 Annelise Richardson and No. 6 Cora Hadley played well to keep the game much closer than the rivals’ regular season meetings. the conference in which Ledford won 7 points. -2 and 8-1.
Clodfelter and Avery Dunbar teamed up to sweep their No. 1 doubles match, while Goodman and Mia Yoemans finished strong at No. 2 to clinch the victory. Cora and Emma Hadley won at No. 3 for Oak Grove (6-9).
“I felt confident going into the doubles,” Clodfelter said. “Avery is a great player and I felt like we were going to do well. And we ended up doing really well. Emeline (Rich) and Antonella are sort of new players. So, they had a tough game, but I think they still had fun – and that’s why I play, to have fun and be competitive.
“They started a little slow in doubles with 2 seeds. But in the end, they were locked in and ready to play. … Going into Wednesday, we’re going to do our best. Hopefully our 3rd seed, Sallie Hagee, will be back. She’s a great player and really benefits the team.
And now the Panthers, winners of the Mid-Piedmont Conference, will face North Lincoln (14-3) in the second round.
“It’s a tough way to start the playoffs,” Anderson said with a laugh. “The only thing I have to compare it to is basketball. But sometimes you come here and hope to win, but you end up in a dogfight. And sometimes those dogfights can help you down the line.
LEDFORD 5, OAK GROVE 4
Helen Clodfelter (LHS) def. Victoria Lockamy 6-0, 6-0; Katherine Goodman (LHS) def. Sara Davis 6-0, 6-1; Sophia Broverman-Chappell (OG) def. Avery Dunbar 6-6 (7-2), 6-2; Annelise Richardson (OG) def. Mia Yoemans 6-2, 6-0; Antonella Santillan (LHS) def. Sydney Portis 6-1, 6-0; Cora Hadley (OG) def. Emeline Riche 6-1, 6-0
Clodfelter/Dunbar (LHS) def. Lockamy/Davis 8-0; Goodman/Yoemans (LHS) def. Broverman-Chappell/Richardson 8-4; C. Hadley/Emma Hadley (OG) def. Santillan/Rich 8-1
