The Martha's Vineyard Times

Martha's Vineyard girls edge Cohasset in tennis playoff opener

By Ralph Stewart
June 7, 2011

Photo by Ralph Stewart

Annabelle Hackney stretches to make a volley in the first doubles match against Cohasset. [More Photos]

The Martha's Vineyard girls' tennis team opened MIAA state tournament play with a thrilling 3-2, division three south sectional quarter-final victory over visiting Cohasset Monday afternoon.

The win was sweet revenge for the 16-3 Vineyarders, who lost to the Skippers earlier in the season.

The teams were tied at 2-2, with the first singles match hanging in the balance. Annie Burton of Martha's Vineyard and Hannah Rawson of Cohasset battled for over two hours. Burton won the first set 6-4. The players were tied 6-6 in the second set and 6-6 in the ensuing tie-breaker. The final two points lasted nearly four minutes, but Burton claimed them both for an 8-6 win and the deciding third point in the match.

The third-seeded Vineyarders ended up winning all the singles matches, while sixth-seeded Cohasset won the doubles matches.

Dylan Brockmeyer defeated Gabrielle LeMoine in the second singles match 6-2, 6-4.

Alyssa Adler beat Ericka Betts 6-3, 6-4 in third singles to remain undefeated in match play this season.

In doubles play, Kate Sookiasian and Meredith Spofford outlasted the Vineyard team of Julia Cooper and Annabelle Hackney 2-6, 6-2, 7-5, while Caitlin DeAngelis and Emma Smith prevailed over Wendy Wen and Michaella Gaines 7-5, 6-4.

Vineyard coach Connie McHugh continues to be impressed by Wen, who moved up to the varsity team in mid-season and has played in five straight second doubles matches.

Next up for the Vineyarders is a semi-final match in Norwell against the second-seeded Clippers, Wednesday at 4 pm.