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GOLDSBORO, N.C. – Southside’s duo of Eliza Grace Jones and Valeria Gonzalez are heading to the Class 1-A tennis state championships after their showing at the East Regionals last weekend at Herman Park in Goldsboro.

Jones and Gonzalez won both of their Friday matches then went 1-1 on Saturday. They lost the first set in their second match Friday but rallied for the win to qualify for the state tournament.

They are scheduled to face Carrie Marion and Audrey Brown from Mount Airy in the first match on Friday.

“Eliza Grace Jones and Valeria Gonzalez are student-athletes who are a joy to coach,” Southside coach Meredith Dixon said. “They put in the work, they lead by example and they never give up. They came into Regionals knowing it would be grueling.

The state tournament follows the same format as the regionals. It will be played at the Cary Tennis Center

“They are tremendously talented and fun to watch,” Dixon said. “But their tenacity and never-give-up attitude is what sets them apart. I’m blessed to coach them.”