Greene Central Tennis: Where Stars Align and Dynasties Are Built
In the hallowed halls of North Carolina high school sports, Greene Central's tennis program has carved out a space that's nothing short of legendary. Under the masterful guidance of Coach Tim Medlin, the Rams have become a tour de force, setting the gold standard for excellence both on and off the court.
The Women's Team: A Tapestry of Triumphs
This year's women's squad was a revelation, and they didn't stop at just individual and team accolades. They also shattered a state record by clinching their 30th consecutive conference championship, the longest championship streak in North Carolina sports history.
Fresh faces like Coley Dyer, Morgan Davis, and Ryan Goff made their mark, infusing the team with youthful exuberance. Katie Hendricks and Shelby McKeel, once novices, have evolved into formidable players, adding depth to the roster.
Then we have the luminaries—Aubree Smith and Grace Baggett—who have ascended to new heights, carrying the torch with grace and grit. And let's not overlook the seasoned virtuosos, Anna Katherine Medlin and Rylee Greene, who have further burnished their already glittering legacies.
The team's accolades this season are jaw-dropping. They finished the regular season as the top-ranked team in the State, seized the EPC Conference title, and swept the 2A East Regional Championships in both singles and doubles. "That's some serious icing on the cake," Coach Medlin eloquently noted.
The State Championships: A Tale of Grit and Glory
The State Championships were a rollercoaster of emotions. Grace Baggett's dream run came to a screeching halt against Jadan Rounds, the #1 West seed, in a match that ended 1-6, 0-6. The doubles pair of Rylee Greene and Aubree Smith faced a formidable Hendersonville team and fell 1-6, 1-6 in the first round.
But the spotlight was on Anna Katherine Medlin. Despite facing the toughest section of the draw per UTR ratings, Medlin wore down her opponents in the first three rounds. She triumphed over Alexis Nanney in a thrilling 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 match, followed by a comeback win against Lucy Barr, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. In the semi-finals, Medlin ousted Jadan Rounds in a nail-biter, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2. However, her journey ended against 3-time State Champion Olivia Hankinson of Research Triangle Charter, with a scoreline of 1-6, 0-6.
The Men's Team: A Parallel Saga
On the men's side, William Drake has been a revelation. His journey to the State Semifinals earlier this year mirrors that of Anna Katherine Medlin, creating a compelling narrative of parallel excellence.
Medlin Drake
27-4 singles record 22-4 singles record
19-0 doubles record 11-3 doubles record
46-4 overall record in 2023 33-7 overall record in 2023
3-time EPC Singles Champion 2-time EPC Singles Champion
Regional Singles Champ 2-time Regional Singles Champ
2-time Regional Finalist
4 career singles wins @ States 4 career singles wins @ States
1 trip to the State Finals 2 trips to the State Semifinals
EPC Newcomer of the Year EPC Newcomer of the Year
2-time EPC Player of the Year 2-time EPC Player of the Year
2-time MVP GC Tennis 2-time MVP GC Tennis
54-0 conference career record 45-2 conference career record
98 career wins, 82% win% 88 career wins, 86% win%
Humble, quiet hard-worker Humble, quiet hard-worker
Honors Student Honors Student
Nickname: “Mosquito” Nickname: “Red Jesus”
The Horizon: A Symphony of Potential
With both the men's and women's teams set to return all their starters next year, the future is ablaze with possibility. Coach Medlin, boasting an 84% career winning percentage and the honor of 2019 USTA Coach of the Year, has laid the groundwork for a season that could very well be historic.
As we close the chapter on this extraordinary year on women’s tennis, one thing is abundantly clear: Greene Central's tennis program is not just a chapter in the annals of North Carolina sports history; it's an epic saga in the making. And believe me, you won't want to miss what comes next.
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