Shannon Herndon of Watauga High was eliminated in the opening round of the Class 4A State Tennis Tournament at the Millbrook Exchange Park in Raleigh.

Herndon lost in the first round to Melissa Kandinata of Cary-Green Hope in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1. Herndon, who played No.1 singles for the Pioneers, and backboned them to a Northwestern 3A/4A regular-season title, was 17-5 this year.

She  finished fourth at the Western Regional at Hopewell High School  in Charlotte last weekend, She is a three-time regional qualifier and was making her first appearance at the state tournament.

Herndon was also the top seed in singles play and won the NW3A/4A Conference Qualifier, which was hosted by South Caldwell in mid-October,