Since eighth grade, the pair of Athletes of the Week, Juniors Caroline Dixon and Halle Speight, have worked relentlessly to break into the starting rotation and seven matches into the 2018-2019 Tennis Season, the duo are enjoying the fruits of their labor. As double partners, Caroline and Halle have dispatched each doubles opponent they have faced this year, and the Dolphins are gaining momentum behind the pair’s stellar performance.

Caroline and Halle were once again paired up to hold down the #3 doubles court in matches Hampton Roads Academy and Norfolk Collegiate last week, with Dixon and Speight finishing 2-0 and accounting for the lone Dolphin win against a talented Norfolk Collegiate program.

“Against Norfolk Collegiate, Caroline and Halle were down 2-6 in an eight-game pro-set and rallied back to win six straight games for the 8-6 win,” Head Coach Diane Deaton said of the doubles pair. “They stayed focused and were determined to win while fighting for every point and every game. More importantly, they believed they could come back and win while showing the self-confidence to do it.”

Opening the week of play, the Dolphins traveled to Nansemond Suffolk Academy where Caroline and Halle teamed up for the second time and defeated the Saints opponents 8-2 before Halle controlled the #6 singles courts with a decisive 6-1, 6-1 win en route to a 9-0 Dolphins victory over Nansemond Suffolk. In the second match of the week against Norfolk Collegiate, Halle and Caroline provided the Dolphins with a shining moment, putting their determination and mental toughness on full display.

“The mental aspect of tennis is a vital part of the game and can change the outcome of every game. Their match against Norfolk Collegiate was a perfect example for the team of how you should never give up and the match is never over until that last point is played,” Coach Jac West said.

While Dixon’s and Speight’s passion for the game is evident in the positive attitude exhibited on the court, the pair has attacked each opponent with unrelenting ferocity. Though early in the 2018-2019 Tennis season, The Dolphins are currently 4-3 overall and 4-1 in conference play. When paired together, Caroline Dixon and Halle Speight boast a 3-0 record in doubles play. Speight also holds the #6 singles position and currently sits at 3-3 on the season, while Dixon has played one match in doubles play without Speight and brought her record to 4-0.

Dixon and Speight have displayed the mental fortitude required to be successful on a tennis court throughout the early season. With no signs of slowing down, Dixon, Speight and the rest of the Dolphins’ Varsity Girls Tennis program look to keep the momentum rolling with the heart of the schedule on the horizon.