Warlassies postseason continues despite opening round playoff loss

Owen tennis sends trio to regional tournament

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 20, 2023

Owen senior Lexi Padgett partnered with Ava Banzhoff, Oct. 20, as the duo competed in the NCHSAA 2A West Regional doubles tennis tournament in Boiling Springs. Photo by Fred McCormick

Three Warlassies will continue their postseason, Oct. 20, on the Webb Tennis Complex courts at Gardner-Webb University.

Seniors Mary Margaret Hurt, Lexi Padgett and Ava Banzhoff will represent the Owen women’s team in the NCHSAA 2A West Regional tournament, extending a 2023 season in which the team finished 9-7 and second in the Western Highlands Conference.

The Warlassies program entered the state team playoffs ranked No. 10, before falling at home, 6-3, to No 23 Newton-Conover. Hurt, Banzhoff and Padgett, three of the team’s five seniors and top-seeded players, are extending what head coach Chris Barcklow called a “great year.”

“Falling out of the playoffs in the first round was an unfortunate way to end the season, but everybody fought hard, so I’m proud of these girls,” said the ninth-year head coach. “We finished 6-2 in the conference, and we hosted our first postseason match in about four years. We have a lot to be proud of.”

The Warlassies dressed 19 tennis players this season, by far the largest roster during Barcklow’s tenure with the program. In addition to Hurts, Banzhoff and Padgett, seniors Elizabeth Hunnicutt and Abigail Ballew played key roles on the court.

Ava Banzhoff partnered with fellow senior Lexi Padgett, Oct. 20, in the NCHSAA 2A West Regional doubles tennis tournament at Gardner-Webb University. The duo entered the postseason with a 6-2 record Photo by Fred McCormick

“This is a wonderful group of seniors,” the coach said. “Ava and Lexi are our co-captains, and they have really set a positive example for the younger players this season. Between the two of them, they’ve only missed one practice in three years, and that really shows their dedication to improving their games.”

Barcklow’s approach to the sport, according to assistant coach Margaret Hurt, has allowed every player, many new to the sport, to hone their skills.

“He has successfully and effectively included every player on the team and helped each girl feel valued on the team,” she said. “He has creatively kept practices filled with valuable teaching.”

Mary Margaret, the daughter of the assistant coach, won four of 10 matches as the top seeded player in 2023. She faced Alyssa Nanney, of R-S Central, in the opening round of the regional tournament.

Owen senior Mary Margaret Hurt represented her team as in the NCHSAA 2A West Regional singles tennis tournament, Oct. 20. Photo by Fred McCormick

The Owen doubles team of Banzhoff and Padgett carried a 6-2 record into regionals, where they were set to open the tournament against a duo representing West Lincoln.

“No doubt regionals will be challenging, but I ‘m really looking forward to seeing how these girls respond,” Barcklow said. “This tournament will be an exciting environment for them, and I know they all want to go out there and make a run a states.”