Warriors will play for 3rd straight tennis title

In Blacksburg, by nature, coaching is a stressful profession. But what Western Albemarle coach Charles Ix experienced on Friday in the semifinals of the Group AA boys tennis tournament at Virginia Tech broke new boundaries.

Six of the eight matches between Western and Jamestown went to third-set tiebreakers.

In the end, the Warriors were the ones left standing. They won 5-3 and advanced to this morning’s finals against Hidden Valley. Western (18-1) will be gunning for its third straight state title.

“It was very nerve-wracking,” Ix said. “They gave it everything they had. Nothing was left out on that court.”

Because of the weather, matches were moved indoors.

“It was very loud in there and the matches just seesawed back and forth,” Ix said. “At one point, I thought we had control of it, and then suddenly we didn’t and then we were back in control again.

“With every match coming down to a tiebreak, it was just nuts. It was unbelievable.”

The match at No. 2 doubles proved the clincher. Cam Scot and Teddy Nelson prevailed, 7-4, in a tiebreaker.

“Jamestown had a set point in there at 5-4, but our guys just fought back and did not give up,” Ix said. “They came to net, hit solid volleys and just played good doubles.”

Joey Manilla and Alex Preve showed the same kind of fortitude at No. 2 doubles, winning 10-3 in a third-set breaker.

In singles, Manilla lost to Elliot Mee at No. 1, 10-6 in a third-set breaker. However, Preve picked him up at No. 2, defeating his opponent by the identical score in the third set.

Meanwhile, Cam Scott and Teddy Nelson won their singles matches at No. 3 and No. 4 and teamed up for a victory at No. 2 doubles.

“This match was one that we all really wanted to win because they’re our rival,” Manilla said. “There was a lot of energy. I’ve never seen a team so excited about a match.

“There was a lot of energy and a lot of stress, so we were excited to be able to get to the finals.”

Western has to recover quickly. The Warriors will have their work cut against Hidden Valley. Manilla sprained his ankle against Jamestown and No. 6 singles player Andrew Loving has been battling stomach problems.

Manilla and Preve will also be playing in the state finals of the doubles against Salem’s Patrick O’Keefe and William Drougas after a dominating effort against Jamestown.

“They were consistent and strong and played very well,” Ix said. “They just controlled the points.

“They both hit a hard ball and are pretty tall, so they’re imposing to other teams.”