VHSL CLASS 3 TENNIS: Abingdon falls short against familiar foe in Spotswood Blazers

EMORY, Va. – It was a familiar scene on the sunbaked Emory & Henry tennis courts Friday.

For the fourth straight year, the Abingdon Falcons and Spotswood Trailblazers met in the Virginia High School League Class 3 girls state tournament.

As expected, the latest showdown turned into a tense marathon.

“Our girls played their hearts out,” AHS coach Jim Barker said.

But one year after falling in a four hour and 40-minute struggle, Spotswood gained a measure of revenge Friday with a 5-2 quarterfinal decision.

The match lasted three hours and 37 minutes.

“It’s all about perseverance down here,” Spotswood coach Greg Shaffer said.

Abingdon faced an extra obstacle Friday as top seed Grayson Woodall missed the event due to an injury.

That left Barker with three options.

He could forfeit the number 1 singles and doubles matches, move all his players up a spot in the lineup, or use a substitute at number 1 singles and doubles.

“We had a team meeting and all the girls voted to stay where they were in the lineup, so we went with subs,” Barker said.

Sophomore Jaylyn Whitman, the No. 7 seed for AHS, was inserted as the top seed in singles where she lost in straight sets to powerful Roanoke College recruit Raygan Wade.

Barker then used his No. 8 seed, freshman Lucy Piper, at No. 1 doubles with junior Wrenn Rainero. The Falcons also dropped that match in straight sets, as Spotswood clinched the team victory before the other two doubles matches were finished.

“I was very happy with the way Jaylyn, Lucy and all our girls competed,” Barker said.

Piper is the daughter of famed Barter Theatre actor and director Nick Piper.

“We kind of threw Lucy to the wolves today, but she did well,” Barker said. “Lucy is the first one to practice and the last to leave. She just soaks up information and has a big future in the game.”

According to Barker, Woodall’s injury developed last week after a grueling challenge at the two-day Region 3D tournament in Christiansburg.

“Grayson had to play two singles and one doubles match the first day, and then one singles and two doubles matches the next day. That schedule puts a lot of stress on these kids and I think it’s unfair,” Barker said.

Barker said VHSL officials should consider following the example of Tennessee where players have to decide on either singles or doubles at the state tournament.

“That would save a lot of wear and tear,” Barker said.

The AHS coach said that Woodall still plans to compete in the VHSL singles competition at Liberty University.

Battle-tested seniors Katy Creasy and Eller Buddington supplied the two points for AHS Friday with straight set victories in singles at the No. 4 and 5 spots.

Buddington and Creasy clinched last year’s 5-4 semifinal win against Spotswood with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory at No. 3 doubles.

“Some of the Spotswood players were familiar today but my opponent was different,” Buddington said. “I just tried to ignore the surroundings, take a deep breath and block out the nerves.

“We had won against Spotswood before and we wanted to do it again. We came up short, but I’m sure Abingdon will be back at this stage again next year. Our team has been like a family and I hope to remember these days forever.”

The decisive moments came at No. 6 singles where sophomore Charlie Jestedt of Spotswood edged Melanie Bedwell in a 10-8 tiebreaker after trailing 8-6.

“That was pressure,” Shaffer said. “Charlie just dug in her heels and was somehow able to fight her way back.”

Barker’s pre-match strategy centered around a victory at that No. 6 spot.

“If we could have pulled out that match, it would have given us a chance to win the two double matches with our regular lineup. And we were up in both those matches when play ended,” Barker said.

Spotswood (14-1) won the Valley District this season before falling 5-1 to Class 3 newcomer Western Albemarle in the Region 3C title match last week. The No. 1 and 5 seeds graduated for the Trailblazers last season.

Shaffer, who has a daughter on the team, is in his first year as head coach but has attended each of the four matchups with AHS in Emory.

“The matches are never easy down here, but we have found a comfort zone,” Shaffer said. “We turn right on Interstate 81, drive four hours and eat at Mellow Mushroom.

“I’ve been training with these team for about five years through our local country club. We have solid kids with a good work ethic. They don’t quit on anything.”

The left-handed Wade and Rennier Shaffer were the only seniors in the Spotswood lineup Friday. Wade plans to compete in tennis and volleyball at Roanoke.

In addition to last year’s victory over Spotswood, AHS defeated the Trailblazers 5-2 in 2019. Spotswood took a 5-3 win over AHS in 2022.

All of those previous clashes in the semifinal round of the state playoffs. That scenario changed when Western Albemarle entered the Class 3 ranks.

The AHS lineup this season featured four juniors in Woodall, Eliza Cozart, Wrenn Rainero and Bedwell.

Woodall, the defending Class 3 doubles champ, currently has a 24-0 record in singles. Rainero and Buddington entered Friday’s match with a combined record of 32-1.

“We came so close,” Barker said. “The girls can use this experience as motivation for next season. And hopefully, we can take the next step.”

As for Creasy, she plans to cherish the memories of her tennis adventure.

“The past four years with this team have been some of the happiest moments of my life,” Creasy said.

“It’s a huge accomplishment to make the state tournament four straight years. We worked for that and I will always be proud of all my teammates.”

Raygan Wade (S) def. Jaylyn Whitman 6-0, 6-0; Ella Li (S) def. Eliza Cozart 6-3, 6-2; Emerson Knight (S) def. Wrenn Rainero 6-4, 6-4; Katy Creasy (A) def. Rennie Shaffer 6-0, 6-0, Eller Buddington (A) def. Olivia Davis 6-1, 6-1; Charlie Jestedt (S) def. Melanie Bedwell 6-3, 5-7, 10-8

Wade-Li def. Rainero-Lucy Piper 6-1, 6-2