Varsity Girls Defeat Loomis, Extend Unbeaten Streak
Loomis Chaffee’s varsity girls came to Deerfield for a humid afternoon match on Saturday. Both teams were well supported by spectators for this contest. We appreciated the support! The match turned into a three hour marathon. Overcast skies kept temperatures below seventy, but all the players had to fight through the uncomfortable, muggy air.
First and second doubles were exciting and well-earned wins for DA’s pairings. Tori and Ashley made adjustments to their strategy throughout the eight game pro-set and their gamesmanship paid off. Exchanging fast-paced baseline points throughout the match, Manning and Waterfall finally pulled away, breaking Loomis’s serve and closing out the set with superior volleys. Isha Rao and Catalina Llorente had their hands full at second doubles, facing off with a strong Loomis team. Again, strategy made the difference. This pair continues to build rapport as the season wears on. Like first doubles, Isha and Cat pulled away late, holding serve and winning 8-6.
With a 3-0 lead, Deerfield entered the singles phase with momentum. At one, Isha played two masterful sets to put away a very athletic Loomis opponent 6-1, 6-1. Third singles was all Deerfield: Emma Weech played methodical, relentless tennis and shut her opponent out in both sets. This win clinched the win for DA. Sophia Genender also delivered a dominant win at fourth singles. Sophia’s booming approach shots and overhead smashes put a W on the scoresheet 6-1, 6-0.
At two, Ashley won an epic first set in a tie break. Every point was hotly contested here. In the second, Ashley’s strategy came into focus and she held the lead throughout, winning 6-3. At five, Tori Waterfall’s match was the closest of the day. Tori came back to force a tiebreak in the first set after falling to 2-5 at one point. Loomis took the tiebreaker 4-7, but Tori carried that comeback momentum into the second set and cruised to a 6-2 win. Tori thrives when put into a tight spot; her third set heroics continued on Saturday. Trading points throughout the tiebreak, Waterfall finally pounded a beautiful passing shot for the 10-8 win! Catalina Llorente found herself in another lengthy match at sixth singles. The first set featured long rallies, but Cat rose above with steady play and measured pace, winning 7-5. Closing the day out, she played efficient tennis in the second set to secure the shutout for Deerfield.
The team improves to 7-0 and will hit the courts again on Monday to host Northfield Mount Hermon.
Individual Results:
Singles:
- Isha Rao, W 6-1, 6-1
- Ashley Manning, W 6-6 (8-6), 6-3
- Emma Weech, W 6-0, 6-0
- Sophia Genender, W 6-1, 6-0
- Tori Waterfall, W 6-6 (4-7), 6-2, 10-8
- Catalina Llorente, W 7-5, 6-2
Order of Finish: 1, 4, 3, 2, 6, 5
Doubles:
- Manning/Waterfall, W 8-6
- Rao/ Llorente, W 8-6
- Weech/ Genender, W 8-2
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2