The girls’ JV squad eked out a tight 4-3 win over Westminster to hold onto their undefeated season on Saturday afternoon.
It was tough at the top: current #1, ninth grader Talbot von Stade, suffered her first loss of the season against Westminster’s 8th varsity player. Von Stade fought hard but dropped three games in a row, 9-11, 5-11, 7-11. Playing #2, senior co-captain Lilley Salmon traded games with a fierce opponent, winning 11-9, then losing a tight 11-13 and another game 5-11. Salmon then produced a stunning 11-2 win, refusing to back off her serve. Ultimately, Westminster got the better of Deerfield in the fifth game, and won 11-8, though Salmon can be proud of her grit and persistence as she gave her all in every single point.
The results in the middle of the ladder were a mixed bag as well: senior co-captain Carolina Conzelman, back after a few weeks off for an injury, took a moment to heat up. Though she dropped the first game 8-11, she appeared to make up her mind to win and ground out a long 17-15 victory, then two relatively quicker wins to seal a Deerfield point for the day, 11-7, 11-9. Sophomore Christina Li had a difficult time with a well-matched Westminster partner, who dominated the T and sent Christina running around the court. However, “Crusty,” as she is affectionately known on the team, started out with two nice wins, 11-8 14-12. Unfortunately, her opponent seemed to hit her stride, and won three games 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 to wrap up Westminster’s third and final point for the day.
Despite some lingering illness, junior Cameron Heard contributed her usual enthusiasm and skill to the const. She won her first two games 11-9, 11-7, then lost a tough third game 6-11. However, Cameron knew she had it in her and demonstrated her ability to close when it counts, wrapping up the final game 12-10 and giving Deerfield a second point. The Geraci sisters, #6 Olivia and #7 Isabella, added their sibling magic to the mix to seal Deerfield’s victory. Olivia had a nice set of games after an 8-11 loss, showcasing her typical tenacity as she won 12-10, 12-10, 11-9. Isabella followed up with a similarly strong performance: unfazed by a 9-11 loss in the first game, she cranked out two quick victories 11-3, 11-5, and then stayed calm and executed in the fourth game to win 12-10.
In exhibition, junior Cameron Garner and senior co-captain Olivia Jones garnished the day with two more Deerfield victories. Cameron, playing #8, won a tight 11-9 game, then lost a close 10-12 in the second. She came back with a fury to win a pair of games and finish the match, 11-2, 11-7. Olivia, meanwhile, maintained her impeccable record of 3-0 matches, winning 11-6, 11-5, 11-3 and sending her opponent scrambling.
Though Westminster certainly gave Deerfield a run for its money, the Big Green prevailed! The girls will enjoy another Wednesday off before a big day against St. Paul’s on Saturday, in which they hope to continue their winning streak!