Carroll boys fall 5-4 in regional tennis

Carroll County’s boys’ tennis team qualified for the Region 3D Tournament for the first time in four years and narrowly missed a chance to advance with a 5-4 loss May 2o at Cave Spring.

The Cavaliers won the singles’ portion of the regional, winning four of six matches against the Knights. Cave Spring was able to secure the team victory, however, with a sweep in doubles action.

Carroll’s top two seeded players, Jabin Talley and Ethan Richardson, both continued their fine play with victories in singles. Talley won 6-3, 6-2 over his Cave Spring opponent at No. 1, while Richardson defeated his Knights’ counterpart by the same score at No. 2.

Paul Marshall lost a 2-6, 3-6 decision at No. 3, while Phoenix Baker won a marathon at No. 4 by a score of 6-3, 4-6 (11-9). Garrison Wheatley fell at No. 5 by a score of 1-6, 3-6, while Carroll’s Louis Marshall captured a victory at No. 6 by a 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 tally.

Carroll County was oh so close to advancing to the next round but dropped a couple of heartbreakers in doubles. At No. 1 Talley and Richardson were edged 8-9 (2-7) in a tiebreaker. Cave Spring took another close one, 9-7, at No. 3, and emerged on top at No. 2 by a score of 8-2.

The loss ends Carroll’s team season with a 9-6 record, but Talley and Richardson still will advance to Regionals for individuals. Talley will compete in singles and doubles with Richardson teaming up with Talley in doubles.

Allen Worrell can be reached at (276) 779-4062 or on X@AWorrellTCN