Neena Wankoaccomplished something Saturday not often seen in high school tennis circles.

The Union Pines singles player made it to the championship match of the 3-A Mid-East Regional championship as a freshman. She was defeated 6-2, 7-5 by defending champion Winnie Quick of Dudley.

"That was big time," Viking coach John Frye said of Wanko's performance throughout the event held at Burlington Tennis Center. "I don't thinkQuick was surprised, but Neena got her attention early. It was a real battle."

The Viking coach called the first set a kind of a chess match, with both players deciding on the moves they would make later. The second set was tied 5-5 when Quick won a couple of closely contested games for the title.

All six of the Viking players making the trip reached at least the quarterfinals. Seniors Katie Kelly and Natasha Whetzel lost to Margaret and Carolyn Kernodle of Burlington Williamsinone of thesemifinal matchesof the doubles competition. The Viking pairfinished fourth after dropping a playoff match for the third spot.

Wanko, Kelly and Whetzel have all qualified for Friday's state competition on the same courts. It is the first trip to the state level for all three.

Also for the Vikings, sophomore Lydia Stalls in singles and seniors Maura Lenahan and Kendra Black in the doubles, were knocked out in the quarterfinals.

"All six of our players played very well," Frye said.

Union Pines will face Kernodle again Tuesday, when it entertains Williams in a second round state duals match, beginning at 4 p.m.

"It's a pleasure to host such a quality team," Frye said of a Williams squad that knocked his team out in the third round last year, 5-4.

Union Pines Volleyball

The Union Pines volleyball teamswept Eastern Alamance 25-20, 25-23 and 25-17 at home Saturday in a first round 3-A state tournament match.

Next for the Vikings is a 7 p.m. second round match at Wilson Fike on Tuesday. Fike, the first seed from the New Six Conference, defeated Southern Lee, also on Saturday.

The Vikings rolled to victory in spite of falling behind early in each of the games.

"We played really strong at the net, passed well and served real well to spots," Viking coach Leslie Fish said. "Carly (Shiflett) andK.K. (Deardorff) had a lot of blocks. We probably played with the most intensity we've had all season."

In an all-around team effort, the coach praised Courtney Sauer and Reyanna Torrence for their work in digging balls off the floor.

Pinecrest Volleyball

The Patriots fell to Broughton in the first round of the state championship Saturday in Chapel Hill.

No. 1 Broughton swept Pinecrest 3-0.

Other Saturday matches, pending reports:

Tennis -- Pinecrest in NCHSAA Individual Regional Tournament

Monday Schedule

Boys' soccer -- North Moore at Thomasville, 6:30 p.m.; Pinecrest at Seventy-First, beginning with jayvee match at 5:30 p.m.

Golf -- Pinecrest hosts Pinehurst Regionals

Freshman Volleyball -- Pinecrest at Purnell Gray, 4 p.m.

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