Tuesday was a big day for the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) girls varsity tennis team. The girls edged out Barnstable High School 3-2. Samantha Potter pulled out the win at first singles in a fight-to-the-finish third-set tiebreaker to change the 2-2 score.
Sam won the first set 7-5, lost the second set 3-6, and won the tiebreak 10-8 on her second match point.
Freshman pair Kat Roberts, daughter of coach Liz Roberts, and Lizzie Williamson knocked it out of the park with their decisive wins. Kat played second singles, winning handily, 6-0, 6-0.
“She played a very good competitor but totally dominated her,” coach Nina Bramhall told The Times Wednesday.
Lizzie Williamson also won at third singles, beating her opponent 6-1, 6-1. “Again, a very good opponent; Lizzie just played better,” said Ms. Bramhall. “In fact, their whole team was very strong, they really did not have a weak court out there.”
Coach Bramhall was very impressed with Kat’s and Lizzie’s first match on the high school squad. “It was phenomenal for both of them that they played as well as they did and held their nerve.”
Both Vineyard doubles teams lost. Josie Iadicicco and Charlotte Potter played first doubles (4-6, 1-6). Avery Hazel and Madison McBride played second doubles (5-7, 2-6).
All of the second-line girls were able to play after the initial lineup was completed.
Sam’s match was only about half-over when the other four courts were finished. “We were all watching the end of her second set, and the tiebreak, which was nail-biting,” said Ms. Bramhall. “She was down 2-5 in the tiebreak, brought it up to 5-5, and then they just kept going 6-all, 7-all, and finally she got ahead at 7-9. Her opponent got it to 8-9, but then in the final point the opponent served and they probably had a 20-point rally. Sam just hung in there, and forced the girl into a situation that forced the girl to make an error.”
Both teams were on the side of the court cheering. Since the current seniors have been together, the team has never beaten Barnstable, who were gracious opponents.
“It was a great moment,” said Ms. Bramhall. “It was a fantastic way to start the season.”
Girls varsity tennis played again Wednesday away at Falmouth High School and on Saturday travel to take on Pope John Paul II. The first home match is Sunday, April 12, at 11:30 am, versus Triton High School of Byfield.
