With four wins to her credit this week, junior Brittany Jones helped the Lady Vikings tennis team continue its season-long dominance in Cape Fear Valley Conference competition.

Union Pines is now 12-1 on the season and undefeated atop the league standings at 9-0 after collecting a sweep against Gray's Creek Wednesday in Cameron.

Last year, Jones played as the Vikings' No. 6 player but has made the jump to the second spot on head coach John Frye's squad this season.

"Brittany has made huge strides in her game and is the epitome of the ideal work ethic any coach wants to see," said Frye. "She has been out there in the arena, having played numerous tournaments in the offseason.

"She drilled here all summer, making the big jump from No. 6 to No. 2 in our lineup. Brittany has become what every coach dreams to see, a player so smitten with the game that they are just eager - eager to learn, eager to get better and then they rise."

Jones has an overall record of 20-3 this year, and is 20-1 in CFV conference play.

"It feels great to be playing so well as a team," said Jones. "We have all worked very hard and it's paying off. While the competition is definitely tougher playing at the second spot, I think I'm handling it well."

Now sporting a career record of 43-12 at Union Pines, Jones is honored to be a Lady Viking playing for Frye.

"Mr. Frye is such a great coach," she said. "He dedicates so much time to his players and everyone has improved because of it."

She attributes much of her own improvement to persistence and hard work.

"Since last season I have been dedicated to doing whatever it takes to improve my game," she said. "I have been playing a lot of USTA tournaments, taking private lessons, and working with Coach Frye at his weekend clinics.

"As a result, I think my overall game has improved and I have learned to be more aggressive."

With a pair of victories apiece, sophomores Melissa Tally (51-6) and Madison Kramer (50-4) became the 54th and 55th players to reach the 50-career win plateau in Union Pines girls' tennis history.

The Vikings travel to Western Harnett Monday for a conference match at 4:30 p.m.

Contact F.W. Manning II at frankwm2@gmail.com.