The girls tennis team passed its first state playoff test with a resounding victory Saturday over Pope Francis Preparatory School of Springfield.
The sixth-seeded Vineyarders beat the 27th-ranked Cardinals 5-0. The girls team won in straight sets all around, hardly dropping a game. The first round win comes on the heels of a strong regular season which resulted in a 17-1 record.
For second-year head coach Bill Rigali, Saturday’s match was about sticking to the same approach the team has taken all season.
“They had a very good regular season and we want to continue trying to play tennis the way we did in the regular season,” Coach Rigali said after the match. “Keep to the fundamentals, keep to the basics, stay focused and stay together.”
At first singles sophomore Hunter Tompkins defeated Katelyn Horky 6-1, 6-3; at second singles Junior Cali Giglio defeated Paige Cook 6-0, 6-0; at third singles senior Kavinne Nivala defeated Emma Cassell 6-0, 6-0.
The Vineyard also dominated the two doubles matches in similar fashion. Senior Tessa Hammond and junior Evelyn Brewer cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 victory while junior Alana Nevin and sophomore Sofia Balsas-Fuentes also won 6-0, 6-0.
After her win, Cali Giglio said every match is a chance to get better.
“Every match that I play, even if it’s 6-0, 6-0, I’m learning, improving every shot,” she said. “Just being consistent is really key. As my coach says, first serves in, always.”
Coach Rigali concurred, breaking down the game into simple terms.
“Get your first serve in, get that return. Get the first serve back and get ready for the next ball,” he said.
Now the team awaits the winner of Hanover and Old Rochester for its next match in the round of 16.
“With tournament play, as always, the next round is going to be harder,” Coach Rigali said. “But I like our chances.”
