The Deerfield JV Tennis team faced a tough opponent today: Philips Exeter brought a mix of players from their Varsity A and Varsity B teams to the valley to compete, and Deerfield ultimately lost 1-8. However, despite the final score, the squad played extremely scrappy tennis and gave Exeter some excellent competition.
The afternoon started with doubles. Giorgia Santore and Nainika Lebaka fell to the Exeter #1 and #2 players 2-8; Juliet Amadeo and Kate MacKenzie lost 0-8; and Chloe Acquavella and Kathrine Margulis lost 2-8. All three doubles matches featured outstanding teamwork and strong baseline play, but Deerfield was ultimately outmatched by Exeter’s strong serve-and-volley game.
The match continued with six hard-fought singles matches: Alix Smith debuted at the #6 spot and played an excellent first match, ultimately losing 2-6, 3-6. At #5 and #4, respectively, Jing Wang and Abigail Ng lost 4-6, 2-6 and 2-6, 0-6. Alix, Jing, and Abigail all maintained their strokes and their characteristic hustle despite the strength of the competition. The top three singles matches featured some of Deerfield’s best tennis of the day: At #1, Kate MacKenzie put on a showstopping performance to bring her opponent to a 5-5 draw in the second set. Although she lost 3-6, 5-7, her incredible work ethic and tenacity were inspiring. Nainika Lebaka lost to Exeter’s #2 1-6, 1-6 while demonstrating similar grit and fortitude. And at #3 singles, Giorgia Santore pulled out an outstanding 3-set victory to spoil Exeter’s shut-out. She and her opponent traded games throughout the match, and they were both relentless in their court-coverage. Giorgia displayed poise, power, and craftiness throughout the match, which extended to almost 6 PM. With both teams (and many family-members) riveted on the bleachers, Giorgia served out the third set tie-break to win 6-3, 4-6, 10-7. Her win was a triumphant finish to a strong day of tennis.
Doubles:
- Giorgia Santore & Nainika Lebaka: 2-8
- Juliet Amadeo & Kate MacKenzie: 0-8
- Chloe Acquavella & Kathrine Margulis: 2-8
Singles:
- Kate MacKenzie: 3-6, 5-7
- Nainika Lebaka: 1-6, 1-6
- Giorgia Santore: 6-3, 4-6, 10-7
- Abigail Ng: 2-6, 0-6
- Jing Wang: 4-6, 2-6
- Alix Smith: 2-6, 3-6