The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) girls varsity tennis team crushed it again on Monday, beating eighth seed Norwell High School 4-1 in the division three south quarterfinals at home.

The Vineyarders were 17-0 in regular season and entered the tournament as the number one seed.  They now move into the sectional semifinals at 3 pm, Wednesday against number four seed Cohasset High School at home.

The Vineyard girls had a ‘bye’ in the first round and are therefore able to host both the quarterfinals and semifinals due to their high ranking. The girls have never before been ranked the number one seed.

It was an extremely windy day for tennis with bright cloud cover.  Fans were somewhat bundled up despite the June date.

“We’ve got to be the team to beat,” said MVRHS Athletic Director Mark McCarthy. “Let’s just hope we can take care of business now. From now on it happens on the court – you have to beat the team you are playing — records don’t count.”

The three ladies at first singles knocked it out of the park, again. Senior Samantha Potter at first singles and freshman Kat Roberts at second singles both won in double donuts 6-0, 6-0. Freshman Lizzie Williamson at third singles finished nearly as clean winning 6-0, 6-1.

The girls only needed to win three of five courts to advance. Contributing to the win, however, senior Charlotte Potter (twin sister of Samantha) and senior Josie Iadicicco won in a hard fought match 6-3, 6-4.  Charlotte had several down-the-line winners and Josie smacked many overheads for the clean putaway.  Josie also had a mean drop shot.

There was some pre-match drama at second doubles. During warm up Avery Hazel literally threw out her shoulder and sophomore Alison Daigle was luckily on hand and in uniform to step in and play the match with junior Amadine Muniz.

Amadine was already playing for Madison McBride, who has had a leg injury.  Luckily the girls had not yet started to play, otherwise they would have been required to forfeit the match.  Alison and Amadine lost in a tiebreaker 6-4, 5-7, 9-11.

Samantha Potter is not only the first singles player but is also first in her high school class and is this year’s MVRHS valedictorian. Sister Charlotte is third in her class. Samantha’s game was not one of smacking power but one of extremely high clearance over the net with major topspin – keeping the ball out of her opponent’s wheelhouse. She also was skilled at slicing and dicing the ball and had a nasty kick serve.

“It was really windy,” Samantha told The Times postgame. “I think all of us just had to really play our game, even with the conditions.  I thought I played really well and consistent.”

Kat Roberts agreed.  “With the conditions it was hard but I think I played aggressive.”

“There is definitely a home court advantage.  With wind like this our girls are sort of used to it,” said head coach Nina Bramhall.

Lizzie Williamson only dropped one game in her match.  “It really shows you that once you start playing to their game, it really throws you off playing your own.  The weather just wasn’t helping so you’ve just got to keep your head in it.  Yesterday we had a great practice and I feel we all got into the game set to come out here today and give it our all.  It worked out well.”

“It has been a phenomenal season,” Ms. Bramhall told The Times.  “All of the league wins were 5-0, we never lost – everybody won.  The only losses were in non-league matches and they were basically just to Barnstable and Nauset, where Sam lost one time but then she avenged her loss at Nauset last week so that was nice.”

“It was great for everybody, but for the seniors after their fourth year to have such a great year has been really special,” said Ms. Bramhall.

“I loved it, I really really loved it,” Ms. Bramhall told The Times when asked if she enjoyed her first year coaching.  “It was a totally great experience and I wouldn’t have even known how much I would like it.  It’s nice to have surprises in life – to try it and to actually love it.”-

The Vineyarders play the sectional semifinal at home on Wednesday, June 10 against Cohasset High School at 3 pm.  Cohasset’s Emma Davis at first singles has not dropped a single set in four years of high school and has been the first girl to win three consecutive individual state championships – and going for a fourth this month.

Should the Vineyarders win, they will likely play this weekend at a yet to be determined time and location against either number two seed Dover-Sherborn or number six seed Ursuline.