Varsity Girls Tennis

Warriors senior Alice Holding is one of five finalists for the High School OT.com girls tennis player of the year. Holding led St. David’s to its sixth straight state title in the fall and was undefeated in singles her junior and senior year. Online voting to choose the winner begins in late April. Here’s the link for more information.

https://www.highschoolot.com/student-athletes-from-33-different-schools-make-up-fall-sports-finalists-for-highschoolot-honors/18070108/.

Nine Warriors earned All-State recognition for fall sports. Seniors Alice Holding, Madison Smith and Gracie Crowder and sophomore Louisa Holding helped St. David’s win its seventh straight state title. Seniors Tai Goode, Houston Walker and Cooper Crosby along with junior James Talton led SDS to the football state championship match. Senior Miller Ashe was the soccer Warriors leading scorer and helped the team advance to the state quarterfinals.

The Warriors claimed their seventh straight state championship with a 5-1 victory over Parrott Academy Saturday at Salem Academy in Winston-Salem. St. David’s took a 2-1 lead after doubles as Alice Holding/Gracie Crowder (8-4) and Grace Haile/Louisa Holding (8-5) won their matches.  Madison Smith closed out her singles opponent 6-1, 6-2 to make it 3-1, Alice Holding won 6-1, 6-0 for a 4-1 advantage, then Haile wrapped up the title, 6-2, 6-2. “Every championship is special, but this is our first one without a loss,” said coach Jenn Crowder, whose team finished 21-0. “These girls get along great and played for each other all year. Parrott gave us a battle and we’re very happy to come out on top.” SDS ended the season on a 43 match winning streak over the last two seasons. 

The Warriors will play for their seventh straight state title after a 5-0 semi-final victory over Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington) Tuesday at the Satellite Athletic Complex. St. David’s is 20-0 and riding a 42 match winning streak. They will face Parrott Academy Saturday afternoon at Salem Academy in Winston-Salem. The Warriors have defeated Parrott twice during the regular season. St. David’s seized momentum in Tuesday’s match behind the doubles team of Alice Holding and Gracie Crowder. They rallied to win three straight games for a 9-7 victory that gave SDS a 3-0 lead. “That was huge for us,” said coach Jenn Crowder. “They competed hard and managed to pull it off. Everyone played well today and we are looking forward to playing for the championship Saturday.” Grace Haile/Louisa Holding (8-0) and Madison Smith/Elizabeth Holderness (8-0) started the match with convincing victories. Louisa Holding (6-1, 6-0) and Haile (6-1, 6-0) won their singles matches to help the Warriors advance. By state tournament rules, all other matches stop when one team wins five.

CBS-17 aired a feature story about Warriors tennis Sunday night. Here’s link in case you missed it.

https://www.cbs17.com/sports/local-sports/tennis-team-at-st-david-s-school-in-raleigh-aims-for-7th-state-title/1540914766

The top-seeded tennis Warriors advanced to the 3A state semi-finals with an efficient 5-0 rout of conference rival Cary Christian in a match that lasted a little over an hour Thursday at the Satellite Athletic Complex. St. David’s, now 19-0, will face Cape Fear Academy at home Tuesday. The Warriors steamrolled through doubles behind Alice Holding/Gracie Crowder (8-0), Louisa Holding/Grace Haile (8-1) and Madison Smith/Elizabeth Holderness (8-1) for a 3-0 lead. Alice Holding made it 4-0 with a 6-0, 6-0 singles win, then Smith clinched the match with another 6-0, 6-0 victory. By rule, state tournament matches are stopped when one team reaches five victories.  “We were focused and ready,” said coach Jenn Crowder, whose team is seeking its seventh straight state title. “We all know what’s at stake and we took another step toward our goal.”  

State tournament play begins this week for the volleyball, soccer and tennis Warriors. The volleyball team won its play-in match Tuesday at home against Calvary Day School of Winston-Salem, 3-0. St. David’s (10-10) advances to the second round Thursday at Grace Christian.

The top-seeded tennis Warriors (18-0) drew a first round bye and will host EPIC rival Cary Christian Thursday at the Satellite Athletic Complex as they compete for their seventh straight state title.  “We’re excited to get started,” said coach Jenn Crowder. “It’s the first time we’ve gone undefeated in the regular season, but we know our opponents will be ready for us. We just have to stay focused on the match we are playing and the rest will take care of itself.” Cape Fear Academy is the fourth seed and the potential semi-final opponent. Parrott Academy is the number two seed. The finals are October 27^that Salem Academy in Winston-Salem. 

The soccer Warriors are the number eight seed with an 8-6 record and host Caldwell Academy Thursday at the Satellite Athletic Complex. Caldwell defeated Parrott Academy, 5-0 Tuesday to advance. Coastal Christian is the top seed with Cary Christian second and Grace Christian sixth. “I think the talent is spread out among all the teams in the tournament,” said coach Jose Cornejo. “The team that wants it the most and executes the best will come out on top. We are happy for the opportunity and know that we must compete hard to be successful.” 

The varsity tennis Warriors completed an undefeated regular season with an 8-1 victory over Wesleyan Christian Academy of High Point Tuesday on Senior Day at the Satellite Athletic Complex. Grace Haile, Catherine Yancey and Elizabeth Holderness won 8-0 in singles, while Gracie Crowder and Louisa Holding prevailed 8-2. Alice Holding/Crowder (8-3), Haile/Louisa Holding (8-3) and Madison Smith/Holderness (8-1) swept doubles as St. David’s finished 18-0. “We’ve played consistently well all season and it was nice to send Alice, Gracie and Madison out with a win,” said coach Jenn Crowder. “We are excited about the state tournament and the opportunity to compete for another championship.” 

The varsity tennis Warriors defeated Parrott Academy, 9-0, Thursday at the Satellite Athletic Complex. It was the second victory over the Patriots in a week after the teams met in the state finals last year. Alice Holding/Gracie Crowder battled back for a 9-8 doubles victory in a tie-breaker. Grace Haile/Louisa Holding fought for an 8-6 victory, while Madison Smith/Elizabeth Holderness prevailed 8-4. “Getting the three doubles wins to start the match was huge for us,” said coach Jenn Crowder, whose team is 17-0. “Parrott has a very strong team and it took some of the pressure off for singles.” A. Holding (6-1, 6-0), Smith (6-0, 6-2), L. Holding (6-0, 6-0) Crowder (6-1, 6-2) Haile (6-1, 6-4) and Catherine Yancey (6-1, 6-2) swept singles. 

The varsity tennis Warriors swept Grace Christian, 9-0, Tuesday at the Satellite Athletic Complex. Gracie Crowder, Catherine Yancey, Elizabeth Holderness, Rose Mary Anders and Anna Clayton Tanner won 8-0, while Grace Haile prevailed 8-2. Yancey/Haile (8-0), Tanner/Anders (8-2) and Crowder/Holderness (8-4) dominated doubles. St. David’s is 16-0 and hosts Parrott Academy Thursday. The Warriors defeated the Patriots for the state championship last fall and won, 5-1, in a rain-shortened match last week. 

The varsity tennis Warriors rolled over Cary Christian, 8-1, Thursday at the Satellite Athletic Complex. St. David’s swept singles behind Madison Smith (6-0, 6-0) Louisa Holding (6-0, 6-0), Gracie Crowder (6-0, 6-1), Grace Haile (6-0, 6-2), Catherine Yancey (6-1, 6-1) and Elizabeth Holderness (6-0, 6-1). Haile/Anne Clayton Tanner (8-2) and Smith/Holderness (8-0) won doubles. St. David’s is 15-0 and hosts Grace Christian Tuesday at the Satellite Athletic Complex.

Rain in Kinston forced a late start and an early finish to the varsity tennis Warriors match against Parrott Academy. St. David’s prevailed 5-1 to remain undefeated at 14-0. The Warriors defeated the Patriots for the 2A state title last fall and both teams return the majority of their players. “They are very good again,” said coach Jennifer Crowder. “I’m glad we were able to play and it will be a challenge to play them next week at home.” The Warriors swept doubles to open the match as Alice Holding/Gracie Crowder (8-3), Louisa Holding/Grace Haile (8-3) and Elizabeth Holderness/Catherine Yancey (8-6) gave the visitors a 3-0 lead. Alice Holding (8-0) and Haile (8-3) clinched the match with singles victories. The other three singles matches were not finished when darkness fell. The teams meet at the Satellite Athletic Complex October 4^th.

The varsity tennis Warriors are 13-0 after a 9-0 sweep of Grace Christian Monday in Cary. Louisa Holding (8-0), Gracie Crowder (8-1), Grace Haile (8-0), Elizabeth Holderness (8-0), Rose Mary Anders (8-1) and Anna Clayton Tanner (8-0) won singles. Crowder/Anders (8-1), Holding/Haile (8-1) and Holderness/Tanner (8-1) won doubles. St. David’s plays at Parrott Academy in Kinston Tuesday in a rematch of last years state tournament finalists.

The varsity girls tennis Warriors ended a 10 day break between matches with a 9-0 rout of Cary Christian Tuesday at Godbold Park in Cary. Madison Smith (6-0, 6-1), Louisa Holding (6-1, 6-0), Gracie Crowder (6-2, 6-2), Grace Haile (6-0, 6-1) Catherine Yancey (6-0, 6-0) and Elizabeth Holderness (6-2, 6-0) won singles. Crowder/Rose Mary Anders (8-6), Holding/Anna Clayton Tanner (8-3) and Smith/Holderness (8-1) prevailed in doubles. The Warriors are 12-0 and meet Grace Christian at the Kildaire Farms Raquet and Swim Club Monday in Cary.

The girls varsity tennis team notched two victories in less than 24 hours over the weekend at the Satellite Athletic Complex. The Warriors (11-0) defeated Asheville School 8-1 Friday night, then came back Saturday morning to beat Carolina Day School from Asheville by the same score. Both matches lasted over three hours because of close games and multiple tie-breakers. “This was great competition for our team,” said coach Jenn Crowder. Alice (Holding) and Gracie (Crowder) had to win tie-breakers to save their matches Friday night and Elizabeth (Holderness) had to win the second set and the tie-breaker Saturday in the heat. We played a lot of tennis within a short time period and I’m proud of the way we responded. Saturday’s singles winners included Alice Holding (6-0, 6-0), Louisa Holding (6-1, 6-0), Gracie Crowder (6-2, 6-4), Grace Haile (6-1, 6-1), Catherine Yancey (6-0, 6-0) and Holderness (1-6, 6-4, 10-5). Alice Holding/Crowder (8-0) and Haile/Yancey (8-2) won doubles. 

Tuesday’s varsity tennis practice was business as usual, except for the television camera. Todd Gibson of CBS-17 Sports was on hand doing interviews and shooting video for an upcoming feature story on the Warriors, who have won six straight state titles and are undefeated so far this season. “The girls have worked hard and it’s nice to be recognized,” said coach Jenn Crowder, whose squad is 9-0. “It’s good for our program and it’s an interesting process to be part of.”  No airdate has been scheduled yet, but we’ll give you advance notice so you can tune in live or set your DVR’s. St. David’s is back in action Friday against the Asheville School and Saturday morning against Carolina Day School at the Satellite Athletic Complex.  

The undefeated varsity tennis Warriors earned a hard-fought 8-1 victory over previously undefeated Asheville School Friday at the Satellite Athletic Complex. The match took over three hours to complete thanks to tie-breakers in three of the six singles matches. Seniors Alice Holding and Gracie Crowder won theirs 11-9 to clinch the victory before doubles. “The match could have easily been tied after singles,” said coach Jenn Crowder, whose team is 10-0. “Asheville was a great opponent and made us compete for every point. It’s a great lesson that we have be at our best and that we need everyone to contribute every time we play. This was a good team win.” Holding (6-0, 1-6, 11-9), Crowder (4-6, 6-2, 11-9) Gracie Haile (6-1, 6-1), Catherine Yancey (6-0, 6-2) and Elizabeth Holderness (6-1, 6-2) won singles. Alice Holding/Holderness (8-6), Louisa Holding/Yancey (8-6) and Rose Mary Anders/Anna Clayton Tanner (8-6) prevailed in doubles.

The varsity girls tennis team won every game in every match for a 9-0 victory against Village Christian Academy on a steamy Tuesday in Fayetteville. The teams played pro sets in singles and doubles to partially counter the hot, humid conditions. Madison Scott, Louisa Holding, Gracie Crowder, Grace Haile, Catherine Yancey and Elizabeth Holderness all won singles, 8-0. Crowder/Rose Mary Anders, Smith/Holderness and Holding/Anna Clayton Tanner took doubles, 8-0. The Warriors are 9-0 and host the Asheville School on September 7^that the Satellite Athletic Complex. 

The varsity tennis Warriors stayed undefeated with a 9-0 shutout of Forsyth Country Day Friday in Winston-Salem. Madison Smith, Louisa Holding and Catherine Yancey won their singles matches 6-0, 6-0. Grace Haile won 6-0, 6-1, Alice Holding prevailed 6-2, 6-0 and Gracie Crowder was victorious 6-2, 6-2. In doubles, L. Holding/Elizabeth Holderness (8-0), A. Holding/ Haile (8-4) and Rose Mary Anders/Anna Clayton Tanner 8-4 completed the sweep. St. David’s is 8-0 and travels to Village Christian in Fayetteville Tuesday.

The varsity tennis team rolled over Cary Academy, 8-1 on a sun-drenched Thursday at the Satellite Athletic Complex. The Warriors took two of the three doubles matches for an early lead, then swept all six singles matches to raise their record to 7-0. Alice Holding (6-0, 6-0), Madison Smith (6-1, 6-0), Louisa Holding (6-3, 6-0), Gracie Crowder (6-4, 6-3), Grace Haile (6-0, 6-4) and Catherine Yancey (6-0, 6-1) won singles. A. Holding/Smith (8-0) and Haile/Elizabeth Holderness (9-7) claimed doubles victories. “We struggled a bit in doubles today,” said coach Jenn Crowder. “We’ll be fine when we figure out our combinations. Singles is usually our strength and it was again today. 

The varsity tennis Warriors picked up another road victory with a 9-0 rout of NRCA Tuesday. Alice Holding (6-1, 6-0), Madison Smith (6-1, 6-1), Louisa Holding (6-0, 6-0), Gracie Crowder (6-0, 6-1), Grace Haile (8-0) and Catherine Yancey (8-2) swept singles. A. Holding/Smith (8-2), L. Holding/Elizabeth Holderness (8-2) and Rose Mary Anders/Anna Clayton Tanner (8-6) prevailed in doubles. St. David’s is 6-0 and hosts Cary Academy Thursday at the Satellite Athletic Complex.

The varsity girls tennis team won the Florence (SC) Tennis Association championship for the second straight year with a 4-2 victory on Sunday over A.C. Flora HS from Columbia, SC. The tournament format consisted of five singles and one doubles match. The Warriors defeated Clover (SC) HS and Cardinal Newman (SC) 6-0, then knocked off Charlotte Latin 4-2 to advance to the title match. “This weekend was very good for us,” said coach Jenn Crowder, whose team is 5-0. “We had to compete to win and all our girls played really well. We’ve beaten three very strong teams (Durham Academy on Wednesday) Latin (Sat.) and AC Flora in the first week of our season, so I’d say we are off to a great start.” Alice Holding, Madison Smith, Grace Haile and Gracie Crowder won singles on Sunday. 

The varsity girls tennis team will play for the Florence (SC) Tennis Association Tournament title Sunday morning after a pair of victories Saturday. The Warriors swept Cardinal Newman of Columbia, SC 6-0 in the morning round, then advanced to the championship with a 4-2 decision over Charlotte Latin.  Elizabeth Holderness and Catherine Yancey won their doubles match, 6-1, 6-1. Alice Holding, Madison Scott and Gracie Crowder won singles to give the Warriors the match. “We barely got out of there with the win,” said coach Jenn Crowder. “Latin was very strong as we knew they would be. Alice had to battle to win in three sets, which was key for us. We are excited to play tomorrow.” St. David’s is the top seed and won the tournament last year. Sunday’s opponent was not decided at press time.

The top seeded varsity tennis Warriors started the Florence (SC) Tennis Association Tournament with a 6-0 wipeout of Clover (SC) High School. The teams play five singles and one doubles match and St. David’s won them all 6-0, 6-0. Alice Holding. Madison Smith. Louisa Holding. Grace Haile and Gracie Crowder won singles, while Catherine Yancey and Elizabeth Holderness prevailed in doubles. The Warriors play two matches Saturday and one on Sunday.

The sun was starting to set when Madison Smith slammed the final winning shot past her Durham Academy opponent to give the Warriors a hard-fought 5-4 victory Wednesday at the Satellite Athletic Complex. The three-hour plus battle between last year’s 2A (SDS) and 3A state champions (DA) featured long rallies, solid shot execution and clutch comebacks from both sides in the evenly matched season-opener for both teams. “The matches were tough on every court,” said Warriors coach Jenn Crowder, whose team trailed 2-1 after doubles. “Both teams had to battle for every point and I was proud of the way we bounced back after doubles.” Alice Holding teamed with Smith to win doubles, 8-6 then started the singles comeback with a 6-0, 6-0 victory. Grace Haile (6-2, 7-5) and Gracie Crowder (6-0, 6-4) won their matches before Smith (6-2, 6-3) wrapped up the victory. St. David’s competes in the Florence (SC) Tennis Association tournament this weekend. The Warriors are the top seed after winning the event last year. “We’ll face more great competition this weekend,” said Crowder. “We’ll play four matches in the three days and it will test us mentally and physically.  We had a great time last year and are looking forward to returning.”  

The varsity tennis Warriors begin their quest for a seventh straight state title Wednesday at home against a familiar foe-last year’s 3A state champ Durham Academy. St. David’s prevailed 4-2 early last season in the Florence, SC. tournament championship match. “I think they return all of their top six players,” said coach Jenn Crowder, whose Warriors have four out of six coming back. “It will be a great match and will set the tone for a very competitive season.” Seniors Alice Holding and Gracie Crowder return along with junior Grace Haile and sophomore Louisa Holding. The Warriors defeated Parrott Academy in the state title match last fall and will face the Patriots twice during the regular season as conference foes. “We will have our work cut out for us as always,” said Crowder. “The Florence tournament will be a great early test and Parrott has everybody back. It will be fun to get started.”