The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School girls tennis team had a showdown with the Boston Latin Academy Dragons on the Island’s Fennessy courts Tuesday afternoon in the round of 16.
In a fiery clash, the Vineyarders triumphed in a match that came down to the final singles set.
“The team is comfortable in tight situations,” head coach Bill Rigali said after the win.“They find a way to win every step of the way. We never know where that third point is going to come from. We’re not a power house team; each position has taken their turn at winning that third point.”
The Vineyarders now advance to the quarter finals, alongside the boys tennis team.
On Tuesday, the Island’s doubles teams set the tone with strong performances. Sophomore duo Leah Thomson and Zoe Treitman dominated first doubles, cruising to a 6-0, 6-1 victory. In second doubles, seniors Ella Moran and Clementine Zeender battled to a 6-1, 6-4 win, giving the Vineyards a 2-0 lead early.
With doubles finished, it was up to the Dragons to win all three final singles matches in order to advance. Third singles senior Ellie Pennington fell in a close match, 2-6, 4-6. Freshman Charlotte Marchard, playing second singles, lost her first set but showed grit and responded with a win of her own. But she ultimately lost the third and final set 2-6.
The final match came down to sophomore captain Laina Dubin at first singles, the match of the day, where the fate of the Vineyarders rested. In a grueling three-hour match, Dubin faced a formidable Boston Latin Academy opponent. After taking victory in the first set 6-3, Dubin broke a string and had to borrow her brother’s racket in the second. She then dropped the set in a close 4-6 finish. Undeterred, Dubin rallied in the third set, clinching a 6-4 win with all the pressure on to secure victory for the Vineyarders.
“It was a lot of pressure but I think that’s what motivated me to win, knowing that we needed one more point to advance to the next round,” said Dubin. “It felt really great to be able to make my team and coaches proud and win the match.”
Rigali said he was proud of the team, and specifically Dubin for pulling out the win.
“It was an amazing high school competition and that’s what you hope for,” Rigali said. “Our captain, Laina Dubin played great, that’s what you want from your best player — strength, determination, smarts, and a refuse-to-lose attitude. That’s what she showed out there today.”
Coach Rigali said the girls are used to the pressure and these high-stakes moments. He said that in the later stages, it’s about being ready mentally, emotionally, and believing in yourself.
“We control our attitude, how we prepare, and how much we want to believe in ourselves,” said Rigali. “When you get into the latter stages of a tournament, belief plays a huge role in your confidence.
“I’m very proud of the team, and thankful to the parents and tennis community for coming out to support us,” Rigali added.
Next on the girls tennis team’s agenda is the Newburyport High School Clippers, at home on the Island’s Fennessy Courts at 5 pm on Sunday.
