Anna Jackson (left) and Ella John Dupree are shown in the No. 1 doubles.
(Photo/John Dupree)
Cape Fear Christian Academy’s girls tennis and varsity boys soccer teams each shut out Ridgecroft on Tuesday in the semifinals of the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association 1-A playoffs.
The Eagle teams both advance to state championship matches at Faith Christian School in Rocky Mount on Saturday at 1 p.m. CFCA plays Oakwood in tennis and Lee Christian in soccer.
Tennis
The match at Triton was halted after the Eagles took an insurmountable 5-0 lead with a sweep in doubles and two singles wins.
CFCA’s doubles teams included Ella John Dupree and Anna Jackson at No. 1, Aubrey Jackson and Karson Hamilton at No. 2, and Nina Sauer and Savannah Autry at No. 3.
Singles wins by Hamilton at No. 4 and Anna Jackson at No. 5 closed the match.
“Good win,” said Eagles coach Page Jackson after his team improved to 14-1. “These girls have played well all season and hopefully it will continue one more match.
“We have had some adversity the past couple of years with COVID and injuries, but everything has come together this year. We are looking forward to playing for a state championship on Saturday.”
Savannah Autry makes a return for CFCA on Tuesday.
(Photo/John Dupree)
Serving for the Eagles is senior Aubrey Jackson.
(Photo/John Dupree)
Ella John Dupree plays No. 1 singles for Cape Fear Christian.
(Photo/John Dupree)
Senior Nina Sauer has helped CFCA to a 14-1 record.
(Photo/John Dupree)
Anna Jackson and CFCA play in the NCISAA 1-A final on Saturday.
(Photo/John Dupree)
Karson Hamilton sets for a backhand return for the Eagles.
(Photo/John Dupree)
Soccer
Senior Will Hobbs scored twice in a 3-0 semifinal win as CFCA evened its record at 7-7-1.
“That was quite a game,” said Eagles coach Micheal Breslin. “The guys were focused on all the right things. … Before the kickoff, we talked about controlling the game, playing in their half of the field, and not giving up unnecessary fouls. All in all, we stuck to that plan.
“We took an early lead, scoring in the fourth minute. Tripp Selph put a throw-in right into the six-yard box and Will Hobbs was able to beat the Ridgecroft keeper. We had several chances after that, but did not convert and took the 1-0 lead into the half.
“During the early part of the second half, we continued to control the ball, but did have to defend against their counter attack. The back four did a great job defending and limited their chances to score. Sixty minutes in, Will Hobbs scored again off an assist from Jackson Breslin. Ten minutes later, Caden Scarborough crossed a ball in from the right side and Michael Shook slotted it in for his first varsity goal.
“The whole team played very well. I’ve got to mention Jackson Bolton, who has had three clean sheets in the last four matches. For a goalkeeper, a clean sheet is what you’re always chasing — it means that no goals were scored on you. He’s turned into a very good goalkeeper.
“One more match as we play for the state title against Lee Christian on Saturday. I am so honored to have had the opportunity to be with these young men. They’ve worked hard and it’s wonderful seeing the dividends.”
Will Hobbs (6) had two goals on Tuesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
CFCA coach Michael Breslin (standing, left) surveys the action.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Caden Scarborough had an assist in a 3-0 win on Tuesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Tripp Selph looks to create for Cape Fear Christian.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Thomas Honeycutt rises for header for CFCA in the NCISAA semifinals.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Wyatt Medlin hoists Michael Shook after Shook’s first varsity goal.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Volleyball
Cape Fear Christian was edged, 3-2, by visiting Albemarle in the NCISAA semifinals Tuesday. Set scores were 26-24, 15-25, 25-15, 20-25 and 9-15.
Bailey Dorman had 21 kills and 32 digs for CFCA (18-8). Abby Hobbs had 35 assists. Meredith Taylor had six kills, five blocks and three service aces. Rhyleigh Horne had 27 digs.
Aslan Parrish finished with 24 digs and two aces. Larah Tripp contributed four blocks and two kills. Madeline Brocious had three digs, two kills and an ace. Laney Avery had two kills. Hobbs added four digs and one ace.
CFCA won the regular-season and tournament championships in the Mid-Carolina 1-A Conference. Dorman and Hobbs broke school records for kills and assists, respectively.
“This year’s volleyball season was one of records,” said Eagles coach Paul Hobbs. “It was the first time in over 20 years that varsity took conference champs. … But what we’re most proud of is the unity and love and support this team had for one another and their parents.
“Each player grew spiritually and emotionally during the season, which lasts for a lifetime. The CFCA varsity volleyball program is definitely headed in the right direction and these girls have their priorities straight. I am so proud to be their coach and I am blessed to spend this time with them.”
Meredith Taylor strides forward for a serve on Tuesday night at CFCA.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
The Eagles make some adjustments during a timeout.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Abby Hobbs had 35 assists in the NCISAA semifinals.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Rhyleigh Horne gets a dig up for Cape Fear Christian.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Laney Avery keeps the ball in play for the Eagles.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Bailey Dorman bumps as CFCA gets into its offense.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Cross Country
Courtney Butts and Addie Stephens will represent the Eagles in the NCISAA meet at Hagan-Stone Park in Pleasant Garden, outside of Greensboro, on Friday at noon.
Butts made All-Mid-Carolina Conference, placing fourth in the regular-season composite and the league meet.
CFCA runners Yasmeen Castillo and Kaitlyn Ammons finished 1-2 in the Mid-Carolina Conference middle school girls meet.
Addie Stephens (left) and Courtney Butts go to the NCISAA cross country meet Friday at Hagan-Stone Park near Greensboro.
