Deerfield’s varsity tennis girls faced off with Phillips Exeter on Saturday under cloudy skies. The conditions were ideal for tennis, and both teams delivered high-level play. This was Deerfield’s most complete and compelling tennis of the season. It’s an unfortunate result, but there is no denying that the girls played their hearts out and left everything on the court.
At doubles, DA put together its most impressive effort of the season. Tremendous volleys and teamwork were on full display on every court. Confident groundstrokes and strategic spacing carried Travis and Blake to a victory at second doubles. First doubles pair, Chloe and Jeanne Mei, encountered a well-rounded Exeter team but never let up. This match featured some of the most miraculous exchanges and heroic shots we’ve seen all year. Chloe and Grace battled fiercely at third doubles, fending off four match points down the stretch.
Chloe Schiff was the first to log a singles win for Deerfield. Her unflappable mindset and booming ground strokes helped her extend her winning streak to five on the season. Grace Lodge earned the team another singles point at the sixth position with relentless, well-placed shots all afternoon. Travis Gerst refused to back down in the face of tremendous pace from her Exeter opponent, pushing the first set to a tiebreak. Jeanne Mei earned a thrilling first-set win in a tiebreak before the match was clinched for the visiting team.
Both teams demonstrated fantastic sportsmanship and class every step of the way. Deerfield has Wednesday off and will be back on the courts at Hotchkiss on Saturday.
Individual Results:
Doubles:
- Schiff/ Larouche: L 8-8 (8-10)
- Gerst/ Coleman: W 8-5
- Hernandez/ Lodge: L 7-9
Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1
Singles:
- Chloe Schiff, W 6-1, 6-3
- Jeanne Mei Larouche, W 6-6 (7-4), 4-2 *Clinched
- Chloe Hernandez, L 3-6, 4-6
- Travis Gerst, L 6-6 (6-8), 3-6
- Blake Coleman, L 0-6, 4-6
- Grace Lodge, W 6-2, 6-4