WESTFIELD – No. 28 Westfield held serve in the first round of the state Division II girls tennis tournament Wednesday, winning at home over No. 37 South High Community School in a 3-2 thriller. The Bombers won three matches in two straight sets, taking both doubles matches.
“I’m very proud of this team,” Westfield girls tennis coach Umberto Rovetto said. “Many of them had never played tennis before last year, and they’ve come a long way.”
Mirabella Prefontaine defeated South High’s Camilla Snyder at third singles, 6-1, 6-2.
“Mirabella has been an outstanding singles player for us at third singles this year,” coach Rovetto said in describing Prefontaine.
Last season, Prefontaine only played doubles. But, this year, when Westfield needed her to play singles, she delivered.
“Mirabella has come through more often than not,” coach Rovetto said. “She’s secured that third point in nearly even match we’ve won.”
Westfield freshman Kendall O’Brien and Lilyana Vaddy toppled Lila Tallagnon and Phoebe McDermott, at first doubles, 6-4, 6-2. The Bombers’ second doubles pair, Sania Bhujel and Phebe Von Stange beat Kayla Doan and Colleen Dennehy, 6-0, 7-5.
It was the seventh victory of the season for O’Brien, who has played out of the first doubles spot all season with different partners.
“I’m especially proud of our doubles play this year,” Rovetto said. “The girls have really stepped up and given us one or two points in nearly every match we played.”
For Westfield, it was their first-ever state tournament appearance.
“We have a lot of developing young players that will only improve our success in the coming years,” said Rovetto, noting that Westfield loses just three graduating seniors. “We should be even stronger next year.”
The Bombers head coach is committed to building the program.
“I’m trying to build this program into one of the best in Western Mass,” Rovetto said. “Hopefully our brand-new tennis courts will draw more students to give tennis a shot. It’s a wonderful sport and was recently dubbed ‘the healthiest sport.’”
D-II STATE TOURNAMENT
PRELIMINARY ROUND
No. 29 Auburn 5, No. 36 St. Mary’s 0
Auburn eliminated St. Mary’s from the Division II girls tennis opening round. The Saints officially finish the season 9-10.
GIRLS LACROSSE
D-II STATE TOURNAMENT
No. 33 Westfield 16, No. 32 Sharon 14
Kara Racicot (six goals, two assists) and Kayli Bush (five goals, assist) combined for 11 of Westfield’s 16 goals to advance Thursday in the MIAA D-II Girls Lacrosse Tournament.
Milana Shuman recorded a hat trick for Westfield. The Bombers’ Ellie Adams (assist) and Kirsten Czarnecki each also scored a goal. Kiera St. Peter had two assists.
Westfield goalie Leena Azam made 15 saves.
