CFCA coach Page Jackson hoists the state championship trophy on Saturday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
ROCKY MOUNT — Cape Fear Christian Academy won the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association 1-A girls tennis championship at North Carolina Wesleyan on Saturday, defeating top-seeded Lawrence, 5-2.
The Eagles (9-1) swept the doubles as Karson Hamilton and Savannah Autry won, 8-4, at No. 1, Ella Butts and Lily Kate Dupree prevailed, at No. 2 in a tiebreaker (10-8), and Addison Lanpher and Ava Jones got the fastest win at No. 3 (8-0).
“I’m amazed at this team,” said Eagles coach Page Jackson. “We had a great team from No. 1 to No 6. Depth was an asset. Our plan for the last two weeks was be better at doubles and that was key. … Lily Kate and Ella won an amazing tiebreaker.”
Jones, an eighth-grader, won the No. 6 singles (6-0, 6-0) and Butts took a tiebreaker in the No. 2 singles to seal the outcome.
Butts lost the first set, 1-6, but took the second set, 6-3. She clinched the state title in the tiebreaker, 10-4.
“Butts had a really impressive, come-from-behind win,” Jackson said. “She showed a lot of maturity for a freshman playing in the No. 2 spot. At No. 3, Savannah was literally one point away from winning her match before Ella won the deciding fifth match.”
Among the top six, only Hamilton is a senior. Autry is a junior. Dupree is a sophomore and Lanpher is an eighth-grader.
“This is a young team,”: Jackson said.
The Eagles lost to 3-A Wake Christian, 5-4, in their first match on August 26 with Hamilton out in the top singles and doubles due to an injury. CFCA did not lose again.
The Eagles were runner-up in the state tournament the last two years. Oakwood topped CFCA, 5-1, at Faith Christian in Rocky Mount in 2022 and absorbing a 5-1 defeat from Ridgecroft at Wesleyan in 2023.
Ella John Dupree. who played No. 1 on the state finalist teams the last two years, was on hand to support her sister, Lily Kate, as the Eagles broke through on Saturday.
CFCA had not won a state title in girls tennis before, but the Eagles captured their second NCISAA state championship in a week after finishing first in the NCISAA Division II girls golf tournament at Keith Hills on Monday and Tuesday.
“I’m so happy for these girls,” Jackson said. “Our No. 1, senior Karson Hamilton, has started for six years and has been such an inspiration for our team with her work ethic and attitude. She will be missed.”
The Eagles defeated Pungo, 7-0, and Oakwood, 5-1, in the 2024 playoffs.
Coach Page Jackson hugs Ella Butts after the final point iof the state championship.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Ella Butts hits a forehand in the No. 2 singles on Saturday..
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Karson Hamilton played No. 1 singles and doubkles as a senior.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Savanah Autry makes a return at North Carolina Wesleyan in the state final.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Lily Kate Dupree serves in a 5-2 win over Lawrence.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Addison Lanpher gets her state champion medallion from Ronnie Beddingfield of host Faith Christian of Rocky Mount.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Ava Jones did not lose a game in the No. 3 doubles or No. 6 singles. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Cape Fear Christian Academy’s girls tennis team won the NCISAA 1-A championship at N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday. Kneeling with the state championship trophy is Coach Page Jackson. Players from left are Raylan Hood, Ally Eldridge, Addison Lanpher, Lily Kate Dupree, Maggie Motschenbacher, Savannah Autry, Karson Hamilton, Glenna McLamb, Ella Butts, Ava Jones, Courtney Butts, Vivian Autry and Isabella Autry. Players not pictured are Alexis Hood, Bijou Hester and Ally Beasley. On the back row are athletic director Al Myatt and assistant coach Matthew Jones. (Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
