WHS wins in first round
By Steve Behr
 
BLOWING ROCK — Watauga’s boys’ tennis team got off to a good start in the dual state 4-A playoffs with a 5-1 victory over Northwest Guilford in a match played at Yonahlossee Racquet Club because of rain that had fallen at the Carroll Complex at Watauga High.

Davis Roberts, playing No. 6 singles, provided Watauga with the final win it needed to clinch the team victory. Roberts beat Tyler Davis 6-4, 6-2 in an entertaining match that had one point that resembled a badminton game, when the players hit the ball back and fourth to each other four times each without it hitting the court. Davis ended up winning the point and used it to win the match.

“That was a great point,” Roberts said. “He played a great match and he competed. Somebody had to win that point and it was me.”

Roberts overcame a slow start that included a few unforced errors to rebound after falling behind 4-3 in the first set.

“When I got down 4-3 in the first set, I just told myself that I was going to come back and not lose another point,” Roberts said. “That didn’t happen, but it helped me motivate myself.”

Watauga got four other straight set victories. Michael Smith bet Nizar Kuseybi 6-4, 6-2 at No. 2 singles.

Kevin Ashline beat Craig Sunben 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3. They were followed by a Brian Geldmeier’s 6-2, 6-0 win over Jared Payrz at No. 4 and Preston Stigall’s 6-2, 6-4 win over Brian Garner at No. 5.

While Roberts was playing Davis, two doubles matches were being played, but were cut short when Roberts won.

“He started off slow, but he got it together,” Watauga coach Scott Taylor said of Roberts. “He pulled it out.”

Watauga’s only loss came at No. 1 singles, where Northwest Guilford’s Ryan Matthews beat Steve Lake 6-1, 7-5 in a match that included a highly competitive second set.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Pioneers, who host powerful Ardrey Kell Tuesday afternoon at the Carroll Complex, weather permitting.

Watauga 5, Northwest Guilford 1
Singles
Ryan Matthews (NWG) d. Steve Lake, 6-1 7-5
Michael Smith (W) d. Nizar Kuseybi, 6-4 6-2
Kevin Ashline (W) d. Craig Sunben, 6-1 6-2
Brian Geldmeier (W) d. Jared Payrz, 6-2 6-0
Preston Stigall (W) d. Brian Garner, 6-2 6-4
Davis Roberts (W) d. Tyler Davis, 6-4 6-2