Watauga’s tennis team didn’t lose in 2017 until the state playoffs, and it only suffered five losses from 2015-17. But the Pioneers already have two losses in 2018, both blemishes coming from Davie.

After making a mark in Boone the week before, the War Eagles showed off their talents at home on Aug. 23, whipping Watauga 6-3.

Seniors Laura Becker (8-0), Sierra Foster (8-1) and Amanda Ngo (8-0) breezed at Nos. 1-3 singles. Juniors Aisulu Ball (8-3) and Megan Cash (8-3) won convincingly at Nos. 5-6, sealing Davie’s third nonconference win in as many tries.

“We won it in singles, which is always what our goal is so we can rotate around in doubles,” coach Collin Ferebee said.

Davie nearly swept singles, the only loss a 9-7 decision in senior Emery Rosenbaum’s match at No. 4.

“Emery had a tough match,” Ferebee said. “Emery fought until the end. She didn’t give up. I’ve got to give her credit for that. It just wasn’t her day.”

Foster/Ngo romped 8-1 at No. 1 doubles. They were paired up for the first time this season after going 6-1 as partners in 2017.

“I’m glad to see Sierra and Amanda were playing well together,” he said.

Senior Sydney Smith/freshman Abigail Fletcher and freshmen Allison Plott/Jasie Hollar were 8-3 victims at Nos. 2-3 doubles, respectively, although Ferebee said they had nothing to be ashamed about.

“(Smith and Fletcher) played Watauga’s Nos. 3-4, so I thought they did pretty well to win three games,” he said. “(Plott and Hollar) are two freshmen who played Watauga’s five and seven. They didn’t win, but they did very well for their first match in high school.”

An unsung hero on the unbeaten team is Smith, who has embraced a unique role. Ferebee considers her the team’s strength and conditioning coach.

“The (five) seniors have some responsibilities,” he said. “When they get warmed up for practice, Sydney’s got them going and making sure everyone’s being responsible for that. So I’m proud of her for doing that. She is all the time working out for softball at Torque. In the offseason she’s working out on her own. She knows what to do, so I figured there’s no one better than her as a senior to lead that.”