The Davie tennis team’s 8-1 thrashing of West Rowan on the road on March 5 was pretty much inevitable. After all, it was the 14th straight win in the series.

“This score is not indicative of the improvements W. Rowan has made,” coach Shane Nixon said. “They are much better than they have been. Our guys just played very well.”

Davie wrapped it up by claiming five of six singles matches. No. 1 Ben Fleming (8-0), No. 2 Parker Froelich (8-6), No. 4 Jack Nixon (8-4), No. 5 Ben Marklin (8-5) and No. 6 Luke Stillson (8-0) had the wins.

“Good to get Fleming and Froelich on track,” Nixon said. “Ben in particular played extremely well, but Parker faced a very good No. 2 player and got past a slow start. I need my one and two seeds to set the tone, and both of them played well. And they played well together in doubles.

“I was extremely proud of Stillson. We adjusted the lineup, based on what I saw against Watauga, and it worked. Luke was the first one off the court in singles. Marklin also bounced back today and got a good win.”

Fleming/Froelich (8-5), Cren Rosenbaum/Nixon (8-3) and Marklin/Stillson (8-2) swept doubles.

“What a way for Jack to start a career,” the coach said of his freshman son. “Jack is 4-0 in singles and doubles combined. We moved him up a couple slots in singles, and he and Cren played up a spot in doubles as well. Jack’s play through two matches has been remarkable for a freshman. I also loved the way Cren responded after a really tough singles loss, and he played great in doubles. The three freshmen playing are carrying the load right now.”

Davie also swept six exhibition matches.

“W. Rowan had 17 players, so all our guys got to play,” he said. “I’m very pleased with how those guys are getting better.”

•••

The War Eagles clinched in singles on the way to a 6-3 decision over visiting Statesville Christian on March 9. They are 2-1 in nonconference play after opening the season with a 5-4 loss to Watauga.

The Lions demonstrated significant improvement after losing 8-1 and 9-0 to Davie in 2017.

“They should be commended for some good offseason work,” Nixon said. “So the fact that it was over after singles is a testament to how well our guys played.”

No. 1 Fleming (6-4, 5-7, 10-8), No. 2 Froelich (6-4, 6-1), No. 4 Rosenbaum (6-1, 6-2), No. 5 Nixon (6-0, 6-1) and No. 6 Stillson (6-0, 6-0) took care of business in singles.

Rosenbaum and Nixon added an 8-5 win at No. 2 doubles. Nixon is 3-0 at Nos. 4-6 singles. Rosenbaum/Nixon are 3-0 at Nos. 2-3 doubles.

“Freshmen Cren, Jack and Luke have just been stellar,” Nixon said. “Cren and Jack have responded after I moved them up to No. 2 doubles. Cren is playing at a high level in both singles and doubles. Jack’s play has been off the charts. Luke didn’t play doubles today, but his singles win was huge. Through three matches, these three have accounted for seven singles wins and five doubles wins.

“Marklin was playing on a gimpy ankle and battled through even though he took the loss. Fleming and Froelich both played quality opponents in singles and played the same two guys in doubles. Froelich got going a little slow, but closed well and got a great win. Fleming split sets, but took control of the tiebreaker and came out on top. The two are still trying to find their groove in doubles.

“I was glad to get Sammy (Rosenquist) and Mike (Werbeck) a chance to play in a match at counted (at No. 3 doubles). These guys have worked hard, and while they didn’t win, they continue to get better.”

Chase Johnston, David Benfield, Ben Norman and Walker Featherngill are all 4-0 in exhibition doubles. “Even our manager Ronald Wilson got in on the act, pulling out a singles win,” Nixon said.