2012 All-Cabarrus News girls’ tennis boasts well-rounded players

In the previous five years, Concord was the dominant team in South Piedmont Conference girls tennis, winning four straight league titles until it was unseated last year by up-and-coming Cox Mill.

The Spiders’ domination is ending, and Northwest Cabarrus (14-2) won this season’s SPC crown in the final year of the all-Cabarrus County league.

Jay M. Robinson (12-3) also had a strong season, finishing second in the league and making the playoffs.

A young Cox Mill team, which graduated a lot of talent from last year’s SPC championship team, finished third in the conference.

Cabarrus News girls’ tennis player of the year: Sarah Jiang, Cox Mill

Sarah Jiang came into her freshman year just wanting to prove that she could be a strong player.

At the end of the season, Jiang showed she was among the top players in the state, winning the SPC and 3A Midwest Regional singles titles before coming up one win short of a state title.

Her loss to Dalton McMichael High’s Masey DeMoss in the state final was Jiang’s only defeat of the year. She had a 21-1 record on the season.

With three years remaining in high school, Jiang has a lot of time to compete for more state titles while helping her team to bigger results.

Cabarrus News girls’ tennis coach of the year: Meghan Frazier, Northwest Cabarrus

Meghan Frazier has been building the Northwest Cabarrus tennis program throughout her three-year tenure in the program.

After a third-place SPC finish last season, Frazier and the Trojans vaulted to the top of the conference this year, losing only one league match.

Northwest also won its first-round dual-team playoff match 5-4 over Ashbrook.

The Trojans finished their season with a 6-0 loss to Marvin Ridge in the second round.

In 2013, Northwest Cabarrus will look to contend for the title in its new league, which will mix Cabarrus and Rowan county teams.

All Cabarrus News girls’ tennis team

Singles

•  Sarah Jiang, Cox Mill: Freshman was SPC and 3A West champion, and the 3A state runner-up.

•  Taylor Minnick, Cox Mill: SPC runner-up, a sophomore, had a strong year with 13-1 conference record.

•  Vicki DiRenzi, Northwest Cabarrus: Senior, the Trojans’ No. 1 player, was a regional qualifier.

•  Kate Beckman, Cannon: Sophomore was named to the NCISAA 3A all-state team for the Cougars.

•  Sally Moore, Concord: Former SPC Player of the Year, the senior was a regionals qualifier.

•  Kirsten Spencer, Concor d: Senior, the Spiders’ No. 2, also made it to the 3A Midwest Regional.

Doubles

•  Kaylee Graham/Jackie Smith, Hickory Ridge: Bulls’ duo was the only SPC doubles team to make it to state tournament.

•  Sara Strathmann/Kara Keaton, Northwest Cabarrus: Trojans’ team made it 3A regional quarterfinals.

•  Maura Gach/Maggie Dalton, Jay M. Robinson: Bulldogs’ duo advanced to regional quarterfinal, also led team to SPC runner-up finish.