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By Brian Pitts

Enterprise Record

The first week of the Davie tennis season was everything a team would want.

The War Eagles opened with a 7-2 road demolition of Reynolds on Feb. 28. It was doubly nice since it was also the Central Piedmont Conference opener.

No. 1 seed Burke Rosenbaum, No. 2 C Crenshaw, No. 3 Bryce Bailey and No. 6 Aiden Froelich were victorious in singles, and Rosenbaum/Crenshaw, Slade Keaton/Hayden Key added to the margin in doubles as Davie extended its winning streak to nine dating to 2021.

The win wasn’t really a shock considering Davie has beaten Reynolds eight consecutive times by a running score of 58-5.

“Coming out with a road CPC win to start the season is huge,” coach Shane Nixon said. “We’ve got some new guys getting to play and I’m seeing a ton of things I like.”

•••

Two days later in another CPC matchup, the War Eagles smacked around inferior East Forsyth at home, 9-0.

No. 4 Seth Hill and No. 5 Jack Williams broke into the win column in this one.

“East was the most improved team in the conference last year, and we didn’t know what to expect,” Nixon said. “We played really well. I am so pleased with how Jack and Seth bounced back.”

•••

The War Eagles kept the momentum rolling against visiting Mt. Airy in a nonconference match on March 4, winning 6-3 behind Rosenbaum, Crenshaw, Bailey, Froelich, Rosenbaum/Crenshaw and Bailey/Froelich.

“We schedule Mt. Airy because at the 1-A level they’ve built a program of consistent excellence,” he said. “We want to play the best.”

Davie has a mighty 1-2 punch at the top of the ladder in cousins Rosenbaum and Crenshaw. Both are 3-0 in singles and doubles. It’s a great sign to see Bailey and Froelich bust out with 3-0 starts.

“Through three matches, Burke’s played 36 games in singles and has won all 36,” he said. “He has played three guys who made all-conference last year. His level of play is amazing. Right now his tennis is so high a level, it is fun to be around.

“C found himself in a battle (against East), but he was in command when the other kid had to call it. C is our emotional leader. I love having him on our squad.

“Bryce is playing so well. He was our most improved player last year, and he got even better. He played two really good players out of the three he played.

“Aiden is playing the kind of matches that make me know what we work on in practice matters. We do a lot of stuff that is designed to remind us that when the tennis is even, we are better prepared to play. A 2-0 start in tiebreakers, yeah, he is listening and applying.”

Note: Nixon wouldn’t trade his assistant, Terri Eanes, for anyone. “She had to get things started (against East); I was running late,” he said. “Having her to rely on is really big.”

Davie 7, Reynolds 2

Singles

Burke Rosenbaum won 6-0, 6-0.

C Crenshaw won 6-1, 6-3.

Bryce Bailey won 6-3, 6-4.

Seth Hill lost 6-3, 2-6 (3-10).

Jack Williams lost 7-5, 5-7 (3-10).

Aiden Froelich won 1-6, 6-2 (11-9).

Doubles

Rosenbaum/Crenshaw won 8-2.

Slade Keaton/Hayden Key won.

Zach Hill/Grayson Busse lost 8-1.

Davie 9, E. Forsyth 0

Singles

Rosenbaum won 6-0, 6-0.

Crenshaw won 7-5, 4-3.   

Bailey won 6-0, 6-0.

Seth Hill won 6-0, 6-0.

Jack Williams won 6-0, 6-1.

Froelich won 6-0, 6-1.

Doubles

Rosenbaum/Crenshaw won 8-0.

Hill/Jack Williams won by forfeit.

Bailey/Froelich won 8-0.

Davie 6, Mt. Airy 3

Singles

Burke Rosenbaum won 6-0, 6-0.

Crenshaw won 6-1, 6-2

Bailey won 6-0, 6-0.

Hill lost 6-0, 0-6 (2-10).

Williams lost 1-6, 6-2 (6-10).

Froelich won 7-5, 1-6, 10-6.

Doubles

Rosenbaum/Crenshaw won 8-3

Hill/Williams lost 8-2.

Bailey/Froelich won 8-6.