The girls tennis team won a close but emphatic victory in the second round of the state playoffs Wednesday, defeating Old Rochester Regional High School of Mattapoisett.

Ranked sixth in the state tournament, the Vineyarders defeated eleventh seeded Old Rochester 3-2. The team won all three singles matches while dropping both doubles matches. The close win comes after a dominant start to the tournament last weekend, when the Vineyarders beat the Cardinals of Springfield in straight sets.

Late Wednesday afternoon the match was tied 2-2, and all eyes were on third singles senior Karinne Nivala as she closed out her final set, clinching the team’s win.

“It was a tight match, riveting with all the other games being so close,” Nivala said after the match. “The pressure of closing it out made me tense up during the last set, but going up towards the end [of the set] gave me the confidence to close it out.”

From left: Andrea Morse and Tessa Hammond at first singles. — Mark Alan

At first singles, sophomore Hunter Tompkins defeated Emily Murphy 6-2, 6-4; at second singles junior Cali Giglio defeated Molly Dupre 6-3, 6-0; and at third singles Nivala defeated Gabby Berg 6-3, 6-4.

Coach Rigali praised his team for a gutsy win over a formidable opponent, specifically giving a shout out to the singles players for securing the win.

“Special props to our three [singles players]. They have led us all year and they closed out the match strong,” Coach Rigali said.

At first doubles, Andrea Morse and Tessa Hammond mounted a strong comeback after losing the first set 3-6, but ultimately lost in a tiebreaker in the second set to Mack Wilson and Erin Besancon. At second doubles, Evelyn Brewer and Alana Nevin lost to Macy Ingham and Charlotte Sisson in straight sets.

Despite the loss, Brewer was optimistic about the Vineyarders going forward.

“It’s exciting to be a part of the tournament and I’m really glad to be a part of it,” Brewer said. “It’s all about keeping a positive attitude, even if you’re losing. If you stay positive, you can always try and fight back.”

The boys tennis team is up next, playing their second playoff match on Friday at 3 p.m. Their opponent is yet to be determined.