The Martha’s Vineyard girls tennis team cruised to its third straight Division 3 state championship on Wednesday, defeating Monument Mountain in straight sets, 5-0.
The match was played at Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury on the same courts as last year’s state championship win. But this year featured a new opponent — the Vineyard girls had never played Monument Mountain, a team from Great Barrington.
On an 80-degree day, the Vineyarders didn’t need long to warm up even after the two hour drive from the ferry to the courts. Team captain and first singles player Kat Roberts used an aggressive style to take down a consistent player, 6-0, 6-2.
At second singles Kelly Klaren struggled a bit at first but went on to win her match 6-2, 6-1.
“I’ve had better days,” she said after the match.
Hannah Rabasca calmly fought her way to the top at third singles, finishing her match 6-1, 6-0 amidst praise from coach Nina Bramhall.
“For the freshmen on our team, this is a great experience,” Coach Bramhall said.
The team is made up entirely of underclassmen.
“We’re just going to be that much stronger next year,” said Kat Roberts.
Lizzie Williamson and Victoria Scott played a stellar game at first doubles, defeating their opponents 6-0, 6-0. But still, the girls saw room for improvement. Scott said her serve “wasn’t at its best today, but I stayed in my own zone and focused.”
“We were meant to play together,” added Williamson, referring to the doubles team's remarkable success together over the past two years. They are undefeated for two years running and are the reigning state champions in the individual state tournament which includes players from all divisions in Massachusetts. The duo will compete again on Saturday, June 17 in this year’s individual state tournament.
With the first three singles and first doubles matches complete, Molly and Paige Pogue were the last ones battling it out on the court. The Pogues are two of three triplets, all of them tennis players. And they play like it too. The freshmen sisters defeated their opponents with consistent play winning their match 6-3, 6-4, to secure the sweep.
This team’s success and closeness is due in part to their early years at the Vineyard Youth Tennis program, where some of the girls began playing at age five. Vineyard Youth Tennis provides free lessons for all Island kids, thanks to the generosity of Gerry DeBlois, who in 2002 permanently endowed the year-round tennis center, including coaches and lessons.
Although a 5-0 win can’t be beat on the scoreboard, assistant coach Liz Roberts said there is always room for “mental improvement,” a trait she said is strengthened by challenging games.
But that can be worked on next season. For now it’s time to celebrate a remarkable “three-peat” state championship season.
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