CARROLLTON — Annalise Gregory and Sydney Patterson weren't about to let the North Hall girls tennis team's season slip away on Wednesday.
The Lady Trojans' No. 2 doubles partners dug in and carried their team into the second round of the Class AAAA postseason, fighting through a grueling, three-set match before clinching a road victory for North Hall, 3-2 at Carrollton.
Tied 2-2 -- the second-seeded Lady Trojans won at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles -- North Hall's fate came down to the No. 2 doubles match. And, after splitting the first two sets 6-4, 5-7, Gregory and Patterson found themselves trailing 5-3 in the third and decisive set. Yet the sophomore (Gregory) and freshman (Patterson) displayed veteran poise, reeling off four straight games to seal the victory, 7-5.
Their performance pushed the Lady Trojans into the second round, where they will travel to play top-seeded Cook High on Monday.
North Hall proved it can win close matches on Wednesday, including a three-set win for Christen Barnes at No. 2 singles, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-1. Yet the Lady Trojans' No. 1 doubles team cruised, as Courtney Barnes/MaKenzie Bryant won 6-0, 6-1.
But Karleigh Dills fell in straight sets at No. 1 singles, and Lauren Davis dropped a back-and-forth battle at No. 3 singles, 7-5, 7-6 (7-0) to set up the clinching match at No. 2 doubles. And the Lady Trojans would not disappoint.
