Girls’ Tennis Looks For Strong Finish

Last year after their first eight tennis matches, the Branford Lady Hornets were looking good and were off to a 6 – 2 start. This year, after the loss of several key players to graduation, they stand at 1 – 7 after their first eight matches, but are optimistic about how they will finish. Indeed yesterday they beat Lyman Hall 4 – 3 in what was the team’s best match so far.

“It’s exciting and a lot of fun to watch the players develop their technique and match play skills over the course of the season,” said coach Jim Cole.

Last week they started to turn things around by winning two out of three matches. The Eagle was at the first of those matches, which was the only one they lost 5 – 2 to Jonathan Law. Later that week, they defeated Career, 6 – 1, and Shelton, 4 – 3. Here, sophomore Jamie Fappianos concentrates on her return shot.

Here Senior Carol Frye gets her teammates pumped up before the Law match.

The two wins in the Law match were in singles by co-captains, junior Lauren Elmsary playing at no. 1, and senior Jen Hwang playing at no. 2. Elmsary beat her counterpart, Victoria Contaxis, 6 – 3, 6 – 2 , and Hwang defeated Clarissa Sawatzky, 6 – 3, 6 – 1. Lauren Elmsary returns a shot in her win against Victoria Contaxis.

Here Coach Jim Cole checks out his players during the match.

In the two other singles matches, no. 3 senior Carol Frye was defeated, 6 – 0, 6 – 2, and playing at #4 Jamie Fappianos lost 6 – 3, 6 – 1. Here Frye hits a hard shot in her match.

The three doubles teams also lost. No. 1 doubles Keeley LePre and Tory Rudden both juniors, who coach Cole referred to as ​“anchors of the doubles squad,” fell to Law’s no. 1 team 6 – 1, 6 – 0. LePre and Rudden (pictured) are juniors.

Freshman Julianna Pegnataro and Amanda Gage played at no. 2 doubles and were defeated 6 – 0, 6 – 1. Cole added, ​“I am pleased with the progress made by each player on our roster especially our freshmen.”

In the finals doubles match, freshman Ellie Bartlett and junior Libby Keyes (pictured) lost 6 – 0, 6 – 3. 

On Monday, Branford lost to Foran 5 – 2 and are now 1 – 8. They have two remaining matches left this week, at Lyman Hall on Wednesday and at home against Hand on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. Here Co-captains Jen Hwang (L) and Lauren Elmsary pose with coach Cole.
 
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