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SCS captures sixth straight state title

Special to the R&L

Statesville Christian’s girls tennis team won its sixth consecutive NCISAA 1A state title over the weekend. Pictured (from left) are: Coach Tim Burgiss, Abby Caudle, Ali Burgiss, Madolyn Essary, Diana Castano, Kayla Revelle and Ross Andrews. Not pictured: Kristin Marchese, Rachel Lambert and Katy Maxwell.

From staff reports

Published: November 1, 2009

WILSON - Play went well into the early morning Sunday, but it was worth the wait for Statesville Christian School's girls tennis team.

The Lions totaled 28 points at the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1A state championship at Barton College to secure the title.

It marks the sixth consecutive year SCS has won the championship.

"It's just a great story," SCS coach Tim Burgiss said.

Play at the two-day tournament began Friday, but bad weather delayed the start of Saturday's action until 4 p.m.

SCS's last match ended at 1:40 a.m. Sunday morning, with Abby Caudle claiming the No. 6 singles state title with a 7-5, 6-2 victory in the final.

The Lions' four singles state titles and two doubles state titles helped them outdistance second-place Greenfield School by eight points in the team standings.

Ali Burgiss won the No. 2 singles title with a 6-1, 6-0 victory in the final. She only lost one game during the entire tournament.

Madolyn Essary captured the No. 3 singles state championship with her 6-2, 6-3 win in the final of that flight, and Kayla Revelle became the No. 4 singles state champion by virtue of her 6-1, 6-2 victory in the final of that flight.

Ali Burgiss and Diana Castano teamed together to win the No. 1 doubles state title with an 8-4 win in the final.

Essary and Revelle combined to win the No. 2 doubles state title. They rallied from a 7-4 deficit in the final to win 9-7.

Castano advanced to the No. 1 singles semifinals before losing, and Kristin Marchese had to bow out at No. 5 singles due to an injury.

Marchese and Ross Andrews advanced to the semifinals in No. 3 doubles, but because Marchese went out with an injured ankle, the tandem had to withdraw from the tournament.