Deerfield took a quick and thorough win over Loomis Chaffee on Saturday afternoon. Despite winds up to 20 miles per hour and rain until noon, it was a beautiful day for tennis and the JV girls took full advantage! At first singles, senior Maddie Chai went 6-1, 6-1, with her typical composure and startling acceleration. Though fellow senior Helena Tebeau was unlucky at second singles, she kept up the effort and sportsmanship, embodying Deerfield’s ethic to finish up strong. Ally Edwards ’17 won her first set 6-1, then made her coach a bit nervous when she and her opponent deadlocked at 4-4. However, Edwards came out on top in the next two games to win 6-4, reliable as ever. At fourth singles, junior Claire Zhang was consistent and efficient, winning 6-1, 6-1.
Over in doubles play, it was a great day for Deerfield’s underclassmen duos. 9th graders and first doubles pair Tess Mannix and Whitney Vogt took an edge early on to get a 6-4 win in the first set. After a break, fully adjusted to the conditions and determined to draw on their complementary strengths, Mannix and Vogt put the set away 6-1, with no problems. A talented second doubles duo, composed of sophomore Sasha Hinckley and 9th grader Soo Oh, made short work of their opponents, going 6-0, 6-2. Rounding out Deerfield’s six points that day were the rock-solid 9th grade team of Acy Cai and Ally Kell, who went 6-1, 6-2 to get the team another win.
The team will enjoy an entire week to practice and hopes for good weather as they prepare to host Choate this coming Saturday at noon in the penultimate regular-season contest.