Girls tennis advanced to the semifinals in the playoffs after a hard-fought quarterfinal match, where the Vineyard prevailed 4-1 over Wilmington. 

“I’m so proud of the girls, a tremendous effort,” said head coach Bill Rigali. 

First doubles won 6-2, 6-4. — Hailey McLaughlin

Friends and family turned out for the undefeated team Friday afternoon at the regional high school courts. The Vineyard had never faced the eighth seeded Wilmington before, and Coach Rigali predicted it would be a tough match. 

He was right. Doubles teams and second singles player Charlotte Marshard traded games with Wilmington right off the bat while third singles Josie Johns quickly picked up momentum.

Both doubles teams eventually claimed their first sets, chipping away at their wins while Marshard and Johns fought to hold off their opponents. Marshard lost an early lead and struggled to regain control of the set. 

But assistant coach Eddie Stahl told Marshard to be patient and play longer points, relying on her ground game to carry her through. 

“That was the critical moment, Charlotte was ahead and then she fell back, she was losing a bit of confidence and the other girl was gaining it,” said Coach Stahl. 

Marshard held the line, eventually taking the first set 7-5. 

Fans turned out for the final home match. — Hailey McLaughlin

“The first set, I was really just trying to stay calm and not overthink much, just play my game and take deep breaths,” Marshard told the Gazette. 

First doubles team Zoe Treitman and Leah Thomson cleaned up 6-2, 6-4, and second doubles Tessa Shultz and Gabriella Schilling followed them 6-3, 6-2. First singles player Laina Dubin lost to her opponent 0-6, 1-6. 

With two matches won and two matches still in play, the crowd gathered downhill to keep eyes on the remaining contests. Marshard quickly pulled away from her opponent, turning on offense as Wilmington made more errors. She took the match in a clean-swept second set, 6-0. 

“For Charlotte, once she won the first set, I knew she was gonna cruise through the second,” said Coach Stahl. 

“I kind of got in this zone of just playing my game, just reflexes, back and forth, back and forth,” said Marshard. “I just trusted myself and got the outcome.” 

Coach Rigali commended Marshard’s play, especially after facing migraines the day before. 

“Charlotte stepped up big time…and really showed a lot of courage and fight,” he said. 

The cherry on top of the afternoon was Johns’ 6-3, 6-3 win after many long, patient points in the heat. 

“Josie is just steady as the day is long,” said Coach Stahl of Johns’ gameplay. 

The Vineyard will play its semifinals match on a neutral court next week, against the winner of Ursuline Academy or Weston, to be decided tomorrow.