MVRHS girls tennis team remains undefeated, wins Division 3 South title

The Vineyarders play Division 3 north winners Lynnfield High School on Wednesday, in the state semifinals.

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The 2015 Division 3 South champions. — Photo by Edie Prescott

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) girls varsity tennis team won the MIAA division three south sectional championship Friday afternoon after beating Dover-Sherborn High School 3-2 on a perfect 75-degree day at the Old Rochester Regional High School courts in Mattapoisett. It is the first time in the school’s history it has advanced this far in post-season play and caps a perfect season.

In true championship fashion, the number one seed beat the number two seed.  The win advances the Vineyarders to the state semifinals.

The Vineyarders next play the Division three north winners, Lynnfield High School, on Wednesday, June 17 at Newton South High School 2:30pm.  If the Vineyard wins the state semifinals, they will advance to the state finals on Wednesday, June 17 at Saint John Shrewsbury High School at 4:15pm.  The winner of The Vineyard versus Lynnfield Monday will play the winner of Hopedale High School (central section champions) versus Lenox High School (west section champions) Wednesday afternoon.

Singles lead the way

Samantha Potter was first off the courts, handily beating her first singles opponent 6-0, 6-2.  Samantha played smart and strong. At 4-2 in the second set she brilliantly executed a flawless drop shot that won the seventh game and brought her lead to 5-2. Given that momentum, her opponent was derailed and Samantha quickly closed out the final game to end the second set.

“She was really good,” Samantha told The Times after her win. “She hit the ball really hard so I just had to keep it in play one ball longer and make sure I didn’t make a mistake. It was a good match.”

On the doubles courts the Vineyard ladies fought hard but lost to their opponents. At that point Dover-Sherborn was ahead 2-1.

Charlotte Potter and Josie Iadicicco at first doubles lost 3-6, 3-6 but had a multitude of outstanding points. The competition was tough and the sun was getting hot.

“We didn’t end up winning, but it was a really great match,” said Charlotte. “We battled back from 5-0, 5-0 both times to get 3-and-3.”

Alison Daigle and Madison McBride at second doubles also lost 2-6, 3-6.

It then came down to the remaining two singles matches. All Vineyard eyes were on Kat Roberts and Lizzie Williamson at second and third singles, respectively.

Lizzie finished first, winning 6-4, 6-0.

“She was unbelievable,” Lizzie told The Times about her opponent. “She was the best person I’ve played this year.”

Kat, Kat, Kat

Soon after Kat Roberts also pulled out the win 6-4, 6-1 and then the team, coaches, and parents jubilantly ran onto the court to celebrate chanting, “Kat, Kat, Kat, Kat!”

“Oh my Gosh,” said head coach Nina Bramhall, who got a bit emotional after the team victory was clinched. “We all got on great, they are a fabulous group of girls, and they rose to a lot of challenges. I never really doubted it. We’re thrilled.”

“They’ve never gone this far,” Samantha and Charlotte’s father Robert Potter said. “So it’s really special with the girls going to college.”

Mr. Potter said both of his girls will try to play tennis in college. “Samantha is headed to the Air Force Academy and is there for academics, but she is going to try and walk on.  And Charlotte is going to try and walk on at Stonehill College.”

Unlike the quarter-final game Wednesday against  Cohasset High School that was marked by a display of poor sportsmanship when many of  the opposing team members refused to shake hands, the Dover-Sherborn players and coaches were gracious in defeat.