Pinecrest's and Union PInes' tennis teams advanced in the Dual Team State Playoffs with nail-biting wins.

In a postseason match up featuring two of the top seven 3/A tennis teams in the state, Union Pines advanced to the third round of the 3/A Men's Dual Team State Playoffs with a thrilling 5-4 tennis victory against the Western Alamance Warriors, Tuesday in Elon.

The Pinecrest Patriots won their 4/A second round match, 5-4, over Terry Sanford Tuesday in Sanford. The Patriots will play at Wilmington Hoggard on Tuesday.

Against Terry Sanford the Patriots took a 4-2 lead into the doubles portion of the match, only to have Terry Sanford win the first two matches to even things at 4-all. Jordon Dew and Eric Parziale won the decisive match, 10-4 to help the Pats advance.

The Warriors (12-1), who were ranked as high 2nd in the North Carolina High School Tennis Coaches Association (NCHSTCA) 3-A poll this season, entered the tilt as the fourth ranked team and top seed from the Triad conference, while Union Pines (the CFV conference top seed) came into match ranked seventh in the NCHSTCA poll.

The Warriors defeated the Vikes last season in the same round, but this time it was Union Pines which moved on after a dramatic match.

"Like Union Pines, Western Alamance has historically been a strong program," said Vike head coach John Frye. "Since that loss (last year), our players have worked extra hours closing the gap. Western is yet a little stronger at the top, but we showed the quality of our depth by sweeping positions 4, 5 and 6.

Union Pines will take on Northern Nash at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Rocky Mount.

Contact F.W. Manning II at 639-5481 or by e-mail at frankwm2@gmail.com