Martha’s Vineyard clinches share of EAC title in girls tennis

0
Julia Cooper stretches to make a winning volley in the first doubles match against Bishop Feehan Monday at MVRHS. — Photo by Ralph Stewart

The Vineyard girls varsity tennis team clinched at least a share of a third consecutive Eastern Athletic Conference title, following league wins over Coyle Cassidy, Somerset Berkley and Bishop Feehan. Coach Connie McHugh’s Vineyarders (10-3, 7-1 EAC) currently are tied for the conference lead with Bishop Feehan who also have one loss. The teams split the season series.

The Vineyarders overwhemled guest Coyle Cassidy Wednesday afternoon, 5-0. Sam Potter and Annie Burton both won 6-0, 6-0. Josie Iadicicco won at third singles 6-0, 6-1. Diamond Araujo and Avery Hazell won at first doubles 6-0, 6-2. Olivia Jacobs and Mia Arenburg took the second doubles match 6-2, 6-0.

In Somerset on Tuesday, the Vineyarders edged the Lady Raiders, 3-2. The Purple had to overcome the absence of first doubles players Annabelle Hackney and Julia Cooper, who stayed on-Island to take AP tests.

The second doubles duo of Diamond Araujo and Avery Hazell clinched the win with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Emma Luke and Rachel Santos. Samantha Potter won at first singles over Kelsey Duff, 6-0, 6-1, and Annie Burton blanked Bo Roman, 6-0, 6-0, at second singles. Kelsey Gray outlasted the Vineyard’s Katherine Donegan at third singles, 7-5, 6-4. Lady Raiders Kendra Ford and Jess Wilding rallied to beat Charlotte Potter and Josie Iadicicco, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4

Monday at MVRHS, the girls atoned for their lone league defeat this season (3-2 on April 24) by downing Bishop Feehan 4-1.

Samantha Potter was unstoppable in a 6-0, 6-0 win over Margaret DePonte at first singles. Annie Burton rallied from a 6-1 loss in set one to take the next two sets, 6-2, 6-0, and defeat Kayla Anghinetti at second singles. Feehan’s Katie McNulty got the Shamrocks on the board with a third singles win over Katherine Donegan. Julia Cooper and Annabelle Hackney rolled to a 6-1, 6-4 win at first doubles against Katie McCourt and Becky Laliberte. Josie Iadicicco and Charlotte Potter closed out a satisfying Vineyard win by defeating Ariana Grande and Cara Lavallee at second doubles, 7-5, 6-3.