Newton Citizen

CONYERS - The Salem girls and the Rockdale boys tennis teams chalked up 4-1 victories in a clash of county rivals Tuesday at Salem High School.

The Rockdale boys, who improved to 8-1 in Region 8-AAAA South, won two singles matches and took both doubles matches in third-set tie breakers.

Robby Williams notched Salem's only victory with a 6-4, 6-2 decision over Rockdale's Sam Brotherton at No. 1 singles.

Rockdale's David McCalley bested Salem's Logan Gunzenhauser 6-4-, 6-1 at No. 2 singles, while Rockdale's Pathya Kunthy prevailed 6-1, 6-2 over Salem's Taylor Horton at No. 3 singles.

In the doubles matches, Rockdale's Stephen Rouk and Andrew Stover outlasted Salem's Blake Hullett and Chris McAdams 6-3, 5-7, 10-7 at No. 1. At No. 2, Rockdale's Mitch Granade and Jacob Kovac chalked up a 6-3, 2-6, 10-6 win over Salem's Bo Bateman and Tommy Zarna.

"I was very pleased to pull out the doubles matches in tie breakers," Rockdale boys coach Dearl Stephens said. "At No. 2 doubles, one of our players couldn't make it, so we had a combination that had never played together. It was good to see them win their match in the tie-breaker."

The Rockdale boys finish off subregion play at Heritage on Thursday. The Bulldogs have already clinched the No. 2 seed from 8-AAAA South for the upcoming Region 8-AAAA tournament.

The Lady Seminoles (9-2 overall, 6-2 in 8-AAAA South) solidified their hold on the girls No. 2 seed with the victory.

Salem's Chelsea Reagan cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Rockdale's MeQuilla Franklin at No. 1 singles. Salem's Peyton Teague added a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Rockdale's Laura McCart at No. 2 singles.

Rockdale's Sammy Girardot collected a 6-1, 6-2 decision over Salem's Jessica Dias at No. 3 singles.

In doubles play, Salem's Chelsie Slifko and Cecily Wilson posted a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Rockdale's Mei Linn and Zuri Eshun at No. 1. Salem's Kerrie Grunnet and Randi Estes prevailed 6-1, 6-4 over Rockdale's Lauren Stewart and Deidra Rodriguez at No. 2.

"We're going to finish second in the subregion, so that's good," Salem girls coach Arthur Hawkins said. "We've improved one spot over last year. But I'd like to see us have a better attitude. I'm not happy with our attitude right now. We have a chance to compete for the region championship, and I'd like to see us understand that."

Jeff Gillespie can be reached at jeff.gillespie@rockdalecitizen.com.