Sports Round-up this week, lot of sports news, but let’s start with the John A. Holmes tennis team capturing top honors in the Albemarle Athletic Conference on Thursday.

The Aces sit at 14-4 overall and 7-1 in the Albemarle Athletic Conference, tied with Manteo for the conference title. Aces are ranked fifth in the state in 2A — wow! And while the numbers tell part of the story, Athletic Director and head tennis coach Wes Mattera insists the numbers aren’t really the point. 

“The coaches are extremely proud of our ladies for the way they have navigated the challenges we have faced so far this season,” Mattera said. “However, we have to stay the course and be determined to make a deep run in the playoffs, compete for a Regional Championship, and send several ladies to States. Regardless, these ladies are champs on and off the court.”

The road to a state title kicks into gear over the next month, starting with two regular-season matches against First Flight and Rosewood.

From there, the schedule ramps up quickly. On 10/8, the team heads to Currituck for the All-Area Tennis Tournament, which brings together every squad from both the AAC and the NCC. That same day marks the start of the NCHSAA Dual Team Playoffs, where a strong regular season could earn the team a first-round bye.

The postseason push continues on 10/16 with the 2A East Regional at Greene Central in Snow Hill. If all goes well, the run culminates on 10/23 at the 2A NCHSAA State Championships, set to be held in either Cary or Holly Springs.

Since I see many of these Aces’ tennis players day to day at school, I can say they are top-notch student-athletes and know more than a bit about their team. Congrats! Oh, and the new tennis courts look ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!

In response to an inquiry from the Chowan Herald, Mattera shared this information with local media about the Aces’ tennis team.

As everyone knows, the Aces’ tennis program has quietly built one of its best seasons in recent memory, and at the center of it all is a locker room that has bought fully into one idea: the team comes before everything else.

“We dont like talking about stats and records during the season. We will celebrate that stuff at the end-of-year banquet,” Mattera said. “Right now our ladies know what seeds they are, know who has to win what matches depending on who we are playing, and at the end of the day it’s about the TEAM, not the individual. The only record that matters to us during this time is the TEAM’s record.”

That team-first philosophy has been the throughline of a season that started slower than expected. Holmes dealt with early injuries and had players thrust into bigger roles before they were necessarily ready for them.

“We faced some early-season injuries and growing pains that got us off to a slow start,” Mattera said. “Some players had to adjust to increased roles and playing better competition. We challenged them to ‘play the hand you are dealt’ and, regardless of your circumstances, ‘you have to go to work.’”

Whatever the circumstances, Mattera said, the message to his players has stayed the same.

“Each match presents a different challenge, and so far these ladies have been able to understand that every time we step on the court, we have an opportunity to get better, and we can’t waste those opportunities.”

Holmes isn’t trying to replicate last season — the Aces are writing their own story, Mattera said — but he’s quick to credit the 2025 team, which went 14-6 and advanced to the fourth round of the NCHSAA playoffs, for setting the tone.

“In all fairness to each team, this year’s team has its own story to write, and that story is still a work in progress,” Mattera said. “However, last year’s 2025 team and the 2024 graduating seniors set the stage for the season we are having this year. For that, we are in debt and grateful.”

This year’s roster is 10 players deep — one senior, six juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen — and Mattera would like to see that number grow.

“We need more ladies to join us. I would like for us to be able to field a JV tennis team,” he said.

The regular lineup features Maycee Huges, Parker Ford, Maci Nixon, Aubryn Bunch, Minzy Preciado and Judit A-Reyes rounding out the top six singles spots, while Anna Walston, Margo Simmons, Sophie Gibbs and Lily Wheedleton have gained valuable experience in exhibition matches. Doubles pairings, Mattera said, tend to shift depending on how singles play out.

“Our doubles combinations often depend on the score of the match after singles,” he said. “Our doubles players have done a good job understanding that strategy and doing whatever is best for the team. Our more experienced players have done a good job mentoring our less experienced ones in those situations.”

Ask Mattera to single out his top performers, and he won’t do it. Not because there aren’t standouts, but because he doesn’t believe in ranking them.

“All 10 of the ladies are standouts in our eyes. We dont value one player above another in that regard,” he said. “Do what we ask you to do, be a good teammate, play the game the right way, and do your job. It’s all about the team and the program.”

That doesn’t mean growth has gone unnoticed. Mattera said every player on the roster has taken steps forward this season, on the court and off it.

“All our ladies have improved in their own way. Some have matured as players; some have matured as people,” he said. “Get 1% better every day in some capacity is what we challenge them to do.”

One player wearing a bigger crown than the rest is Preciado, the team’s lone senior, who has stepped into a leadership role Mattera said has grown throughout the year.

“We have 1 senior, and Minzy has done a good job with that role,” Mattera said. “Her role this year has increased in a number of ways, and we are proud of how she has handled her business on and off the court.”

As for whether the program’s underclassmen point toward a bright future, Mattera keeps his focus squarely on the present.

“If everyone returns next year, and we recruit some more players, all those ladies will play an important role in the future seasons,” he said. “However, we will worry about next year when it’s time. Our focus is this year and our next practice and our next match. We owe it to Minzy and this group of ladies to WIN NOW.”

Mattera credits much of the team’s success to continuity — many of the current players have been in the program for two or three seasons and know exactly what’s expected of them.

“Many of these ladies have been with us for 2 or 3 years now. They know what to expect, know how we operate, and know that we expect them to handle their business,” he said. “We coach them very hard and expect them to hold themselves and their teammates to a high standard. Even our younger players and players who are new to our program have done a good job adjusting to the process that we are using within this team.”

Practices run an hour to an hour and a half, built around correcting whatever didn’t go well the last time out, and Mattera said having three coaches on staff — himself along with longtime assistants Nelson Spear and Deanna Chesson — allows the staff to break players into small groups for individualized work.

“We are big on: what did we not do well in the last match or the last practice?” Mattera said. “Fortunately, with 3 coaches, we can often divide them up into small groups and specifically work on skills that certain players need to improve on and apply.”

This season, that’s meant an emphasis on shot consistency and patience.

“We’ve challenged them to be more consistent shot makers on the court, to be willing to expend points, and to develop patience within games and matches,” Mattera said. “We’ve also challenged them to get out of their comfort zone and be self-aware enough to know what shots, tactics, and strategies they need to improve on.”

With five or six regular-season matches remaining, Mattera said the Aces aren’t looking past anyone.

“We are at the point in the season that every match is important. We dont treat them any differently regardless of who it is,” he said. “It’s the NEXT match, the NEXT challenge, and the NEXT opportunity to get better.”

Team goals were laid out for parents and players at the start of the season, and Mattera said he’d rather keep the specifics close to the vest. What he will say is that wins and losses aren’t the ultimate measure of success he’s chasing.

“At the end of the day, the legacy these ladies leave will not be based on wins and losses,” Mattera said. “They will be based on 10-15 years from now, when they are productive citizens and possibly successful wives and mothers. As long as they WIN in life, the coaches have done our jobs.”

For a program with the kind of history Holmes tennis carries, Mattera said that responsibility runs both ways — his players understand they’re representing something bigger than themselves every time they step on the court.

“We challenge our ladies to make sure they acknowledge and understand the rich tennis tradition that exists here at JAH,” he said. “When we step on the courts with JAH on our uniforms, we have to understand and respect the path that has been paved before us. A lot of great players and coaches have set the stage for the new facilities we have and the respect that JAH Tennis garners across this state. We all have a duty and obligation to uphold that standard. These ladies, these past 3 years, have done a tremendous job working hard to ensure they leave their own mark on this historic program.”

Other Aces’ Aces

Football

John A. Holmes football has a bye this week. The Aces are 3-1 and ranked No. 9 in the NCHSAA 2A RPI standings. Holmes returns to action Friday, Oct. 2, against Camden County. Speaking of Aces’ football, Mason Byrum and DJ Sutton have been selected for team East as part of the East/West All-Star selections for the big game Dec. 19 in Greensboro. Mason and DJ are the 45th and 46th selections in Aces’ football history, dating back to 1949.

Boys soccer: Holmes 5, Northeastern 1

John A. Holmes continued its strong boys soccer season Monday with a 5-1 victory over Northeastern.

The Aces followed that with a 3-2 victory over Camden County on Wednesday, extending their winning streak to three games and improving to 9-1-2.

Holmes enters the weekend ranked No. 5 in the NCHSAA 2A boys soccer RPI standings. Perquimans is No. 7, Manteo No. 8 and Camden No. 18, giving the region four teams in the 2A top 20.

Volleyball: Holmes 3, Gates 0

Holmes swept Gates County before facing Perquimans in a rematch later in the week.

Volleyball: Perquimans 3, Holmes 1

The Aces came into the rematch riding high after their 3-0 sweep of Gates County, but the momentum didn’t carry over. Holmes dropped a 3-1 decision to Perquimans despite taking the opening set.

Holmes won the first set 25-23 before Perquimans answered by taking the next three, 25-23, 25-17 and 25-21.

The Pirates were powered by Eleanor Howell and Aubrey Ashley. Howell tallied 27 assists, 22 kills, 19 digs and two aces, while Ashley added 30 kills and 13 digs. Hayleigh Solesbee chipped in 19 digs and two aces.

The loss dropped Holmes to 15-4 on the season. Perquimans improved to 15-2.

The region currently occupies the top four spots in the NCHSAA 2A volleyball RPI standings, with Camden ranked No. 1, Manteo No. 2, Perquimans No. 3 and Holmes No. 4. Gates County gives the region a fifth team in the top 20 at No. 11.

Girls tennis

Holmes is also among the state’s top teams in girls tennis, sitting No. 5 in the NCHSAA 2A RPI standings. Manteo is ranked No. 3.

Around the Region

Football: Six area teams in RPI top 20

Six regional football teams are among the top 20 in their respective classifications in the NCHSAA RPI standings.

In 1A, Columbia is ranked No. 5 and Washington County No. 17.

In 2A, Manteo is No. 7, Holmes No. 9, Bertie No. 15 and Gates County No. 20.

Holmes and Manteo are idle this week. Columbia is scheduled to play at Hobgood Charter Friday, while Bertie is scheduled to visit Currituck County.

Volleyball: Camden 3, Manteo 2

The state’s top two teams in the 2A RPI standings met Tuesday, with No. 1 Camden handing No. 2 Manteo its first loss of the season, 3-2.

The five-set victory was one of the week’s more notable regional results and kept Camden atop the 2A RPI standings.

Volleyball: Currituck 3, Pasquotank 0

Currituck County swept Pasquotank County on Tuesday, winning 25-16, 25-18 and 25-13.

Volleyball: First Flight 3, Hertford County 0

First Flight earned a straight-set victory Tuesday, sweeping Hertford County 3-0.

Volleyball: Hobgood Charter 3, Columbia 0

Columbia fell to Hobgood Charter in straight sets Thursday, 25-16, 25-19 and 25-15.

The loss dropped the Wildcats to 2-8.

Boys soccer: Perquimans 3, Gates 1

No. 7 Perquimans County defeated Gates County 3-1 Wednesday.

The victory improved the Pirates to 8-1-4.

Girls tennis

Manteo and Holmes are both in the top five of the NCHSAA 2A girls tennis RPI standings, with the Redskins ranked No. 3 and the Aces No. 5. Gates County sits just outside the top 20 at No. 21.