AHOSKIE – Teamwork has its rewards.

Ridgecroft’s Hayes Bryant and Whitney Pilson reaped those awards during the 2004 tennis season.

The pair earned a North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association state championship in doubles thus catapulting them to All-State status.

&uot;Being All-State is a great honor,&uot; Bryant said. &uot;It is also a great accomplishment for Whitney and me because we had to win the state to be recognized.&uot;

One of the Lady Rams’ tennis coaches, Headmaster Elton Winslow, said the honor was deserved.

&uot;Hayes is Hayes,&uot; Winslow said. &uot;You get the same attitude from her whether it’s tennis, basketball or soccer. She is an all-out aggressive player.

&uot;She attacks the ball and likes coming to the net,&uot; he added. &uot;She is a good singles player, but excels in doubles because she is so aggressive.&uot;

During the 2004-2005 campaign, Bryant was named All-State in tennis, All-Roanoke-Chowan Second Team in basketball and was honorable mention All-State in soccer as well as being named to the All-Roanoke-Chowan Team.

Bryant also earned All-Academic-Tarheel Independent Conference and was named All-Tournament for the TIC basketball tournament.

She said one of the reasons for her success was her coaches.

&uot;All the coaches we had were very supportive throughout the whole season,&uot; Bryant said. &uot;They helped boost our confidence throughout the season.&uot;

In addition to tennis success, Bryant’s name has been synonymous with the success of the Ridgecroft soccer team.

During her eighth grade year, she helped lead the team to a state title while last year, with an injured knee, she helped the Lady Rams reach the Elite Eight.

Her coach and mother, Beth Bryant, said she was pleased with the work Hayes gave during the season.

&uot;Hayes gave it her all,&uot; Bryant said. &uot;She gave 110 percent and never gave up. I’m proud of her.&uot;

Bryant is a member of the Key Club, the BETA Club, SADD, the Monogram Club and the Virginia Rush Soccer team. She is also a member of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald Reader Advisory Board.

She is the daughter of Mike and Beth Bryant of Ahoskie.