The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) girls’ varsity tennis team remains undefeated so far this spring season after defeating Falmouth 5-0 on Thursday at the Island’s Ned Fennessy Courts.
The Vineyard tennis team, who finished as Division 3 state runner-ups last year, improved their record to 7-0 this season on Thursday. Despite graduating three key players from last year’s team, including Ellie Pennington, Ella Moran, and Clementine Zander, they have impressive depth in their roster.
Head Coach Bill Rigali praised the team’s performance on Thursday, noting several players had to step into different lineup positions. Junior Leah Thomson delivered a strong showing at third singles, while junior Maple Martone performed well and took the win at first doubles, alongside junior Zoe Treitman. Junior Leela Khelalfa, and freshman Gabriella Schilling in second doubles also took the win, and Laina Dubin battled at first singles for the victory. Freshman standout, Josey Johns, was the final match of the day; she battled for hours but took the win in two, Assistant Coach Ed Stahl praised her steady style of play and fundamental skill.
Rigali described Dubin as the spirit of the Vineyard team. She led the Vineyarders in first singles to a state championship last year as a sophomore.
“She drives it,” said Rigali. “When the kids see her battling out on the courts, whether or not she wins or loses, she’s out there fighting, and that sends a strong message to the other team, and it sends a strong message to our other girls that we’re here and we’re gonna be in a fight.”
Dubin earned a commanding 6-2, 6-0 win over Falmouth’s Maia Ledwell, avenging two losses from the same opponent last season. She said she always enjoys her rivalry matches against Ledwell, but the highlight of her day was seeing her entire team win.
The Vineyarders also avenged last year’s state championship loss, defeating Dover-Sherborn on Saturday last week, 3-2 in a close rematch.
In the match, Dubin pushed Dover-Sherborn’s Leah Hills — who she previously lost to 6-3, 6-2 in the state championship last year — to match point, before Dubin hit the net cord to lose the match as she tried to spike the ball for the win.
Stahl said the coaching staff is already working with Dubin for the next time they meet Dover-Sherborn, though they aren’t scheduled for a rematch in the regular season. But they could see them again in the playoffs.
”It was definitely a lot closer than the finals last year,” said Dubin of the match against Hills. “She kind of changed her game halfway through and started playing long rallies with me. I think just working on finishing the points earlier and coming to the net and putting away my volleys would definitely help me in the next match if we play again.”
Rigali said this season the team is focused on the process, not the prize.
“There’s so many good teams, and things have to line up the right way, but we can’t control all that. What we can control is our attitude, how hard we work in practice. Are we ready to play? Are we taking care of ourselves? And if we do those things, then we’ll get the most out of our season,” he said.
“I like where our girls are right now. I like that we’ve been able to play nine or 10 players for varsity points, and that gives us some depth,” he added.
The Vineyarders are headed into April break this coming week, and the girls will face Monomoy on Wednesday, April 29 away. Rigali said their plan is to have a couple solid practices after vacation before they face their opponents.