The Deerfield varsity girls travelled to Groton for their season opener on Saturday (even though the match was officially a home contest). Unfavorable weather conditions enticed the teams to face off in Groton’s indoor facility. Doubles play got off to a hot start and proved to be some of the most entertaining tennis of the day. Ashley Manning and Tori Waterfall volleyed their way to an impressive 8-4 victory. Their unmatched teamwork and aggressive net play make them a formidable pair, and they were at the top of their game together on Saturday. At second doubles Emma Weech and Sophia Genender played their first ever Deerfield match. The future is bright for this doubles pair. This match was tight every step of the way– highlighted by four lead changes! The contest went to a tie breaker at 8-8, and ultimately Groton prevailed 7-1 in that breaker. Singles matches kept the day interesting as the day wore on. After falling 2-6 in the first, Emma battled hard in the second to win four games. Her mid-court volleys and approach shots are going to have opponents on the run this year. At third singles Sophia showed no quit. Her relentless style of play kept this one close in both sets. Her Groton opponent got the best of it in the end winning 6-4, 6-4. At fourth singles Tori got off to a fast start, winning the first set 6-1. Her big serve and steady play kept the second set close but Groton answered back winning it 7-5. Tori turned on the afterburners in the tie break to take win for Deerfield 10-4. Adeliza Grace had a back and forth match at sixth singles taking the first set 6-2, and dropping the second 4-6. Adeliza’s dogged approach and hustle are hallmarks of her gritty play. Groton eventually took that match in a tie break. This was a much closer match than the final score indicates. Deerfield’s squad learned a lot and demonstrated fantastic sportswomanship all day. Next up is a home match with visiting Westminster on Wednesday.
Individual Match Results:
Doubles:
1)Manning/Waterfall W 8-4
2)Weech/Genender L 8-8, 1-7
3) Koeppel/Grace L 1-8
Exhibition:
Chen/Llorente L 8-8, 8-10
Singles:
- Manning L 2-6,1-6
- Weech L 2-6, 4-6
- Genender L 4-6, 4-6
- Waterfall W 6-1, 5-7, 10-4
- Koeppel L 0-6, 1-6
- Grace L 6-2, 4-6, 1-7