Hilton Head Prep, Hilton Head Christian will meet for state tennis title

Midway through the first set of the singles matches, Hilton Head Prep boys tennis coach Clint van Aswegan asked his players to adjust to the indoor setting.

His advice paid off as the Dolphins advanced to their second straight SCISAA Class 3-A final on Wednesday with a 5-0 victory over Wilson Hall at Van Der Meer Shipyard. Prep will now face Hilton Head Christian Academy in the state championship Friday, the time and island site to be determined.

The Eagles defeated Porter-Gaud 5-4 in Wednesday's other semifinal.

"The biggest thing that I told the guys to do in the singles was to make sure that we moved the guys from side to side," van Aswegan said. "They needed to be more aggressive and attack the net more, because they were staying back and having long rallies."

Senior Jared Woodson put an exclamation point on the match, clinching the victory with a 7-5, 6-0 win at Court 1. Woodson -- who earlier in the day signed to play tennis at Eastern Illinois University -- had to rally in a tense first set before taking control.

"The college coach that is going to get him is absolutely going to fall in love with him, because the kid works hard every single time he gets out there," van Aswegan said.

The Dolphins also got wins at Courts 3-6. Jack Kelly beat Tradd Stover 6-3, 6-0. Amit Kohli overcame Hunter Hendrix, 6-0, 6-1. Justin Stubblefield defeated Pierce Thompson 6-1, 6-1. Sam Fried rolled past Chandler Stone 6-0, 6-4.

With the outcome already decided, Colton Lavery's match at No. 2 against Wilson Hall's Trey Davis was abandoned.

For Woodson, the win was the perfect finish to a busy day.

"Today's been awesome," Woodson said. "It's awesome being in the finals."

Hilton Head Christian coach Eric Wammock said he is excited for another shot at Prep, which won both matches against its rival this season. The Eagles also had lost both matches to Porter-Gaud before turning things around Wednesday.

Wammock said the difference was a healthy lineup and better play in key spots. Next and last up: the rival Dolphins.

"We've had a good rivalry," he said. "I'm excited the title match will be on the island for the first time, as far as I know."

Reporter Stephen Fastenau contributed to this story.

SCISAA Class 3-A boys tennis semifinals

Hilton Head Prep 5, Wilson Hall 0

Singles: No. 1 Jared Woodson def. Thomas Brown 7-5, 6-0; No. 2 Colton Lavery vs. Trey Davis, abandoned; No. 3 Jack Kelly def. Tradd Stover 6-3, 6-0; No. 4 Amit Kohli def. Hunter Hendrix 6-0, 6-1; No. 5 Justin Stubblefield def. Pierce Thompson 6-1, 6-1; No. 6 Sam Fried def. Chandler Stone 6-0, 6-4

Hilton Head Christian 5, Porter-Gaud 4

Singles: No. 1 Hampton Drake (H) def. Seth Pinosky 6-0, 6-1; No. 2 Ben Likins (H) def. Brant Fenno 6-2, 6-4; No. 3 Cross Tolliver (P) def. Cameron Clark 7-6, 6-0; No. 4 Alex Likins (H) def. Malone Virgi 4-6, 6-2, 12-10; No. 5 Connor Cragie (P) def. John Ziegler 2-6, 6-2, 10-7; No. 6 Jack Kamerrer (P) def. Walker Wood 6-1, 6-2.

Doubles: No. 1 Drake/B. Likins (H) def. Fenno/Tolliver 6-3, 6-4; No. 2 Pinosky/Virgi (P) def. Clark/Ziegler 6-3, 6-2; No. 3 A. Likins/Wood (H) def. Cragie/Kamerrer 6-2, 6-2.

This story was originally published May 1, 2014 at 1:33 AM with the headline "Hilton Head Prep, Hilton Head Christian will meet for state tennis title."