Weston Makes a Statement, Wins 7-0

Going into its match at Lauralton Hall, the Weston High girls tennis team knew it faced its first big test of the season. Weston defeated the Lauralton Hall Crusaders in the SWC finals and Class S semifinals last year before winning the Class S championship and knew its first match against Lauralton Hall wasn't going to be an easy opponent.

Although the Lady Trojans blanked Lauralton Hall 7-0, the match wasn't as easy as the score would indicate. Weston raised its record to 9-0. Lauralton Hall dropped to 9-2.

"It was a great win for us because we faced tough competition," said Lady Trojans coach Mary Ann Vorvis. "The girls really stepped up their game and it was a difficult 7-0 win."

Weston dominated in singles matches, starting with sophomore Marie Gargiulo at first singles in her 6-1, 6-0 victory over Amanda Teplin. Gargiulo's serve was on and she attacked the net well, slamming home many winners with her overhead forehand.

"I just tried to move her around a lot," said Gargiulo.

Lady Trojan senior co-captain Alyssa Schaefer also had a solid serve at second singles and hit many passing shots for winners to the alley in her 6-2, 6-3 victory over Suzanne Fitzpatrick. Schaefer was consistent and forced Fitzpatrick

into hitting many balls into the net.

"I just had to have patience because she's very consistent," said Schaefer.

At third and fourth singles, Weston was especially dominant and sophomore Katie Gross and senior Laura Jaffee needed little time in defeating their opponents. Gross had a killer serve, a successful lob and hit many drop shots for winners in disposing of Alexandra Franchella, 6-1, 6-1 at third singles, and Jaffee forced Sarah Lasher to hit it wide in a 6-1, 6-0, triumph.

For Lady Trojan senior co-captain lefty Liz Palmieri and junior Lindsey Gersh at first doubles, they faced a different Lauralton Hall opponent from last year. Palmieri and Gersh beat then-seniors Maggie Steiner and Katarina Craft in Weston's three matches against the Crusaders with all three matches going three sets.

"We adjusted to the new girls every time we have a new match this year and it wasn't an issue," said Gersh.

Palmier and Gersh more than addjusted in their 6-1, 6-3 victory over Katie Laterza and Meghan Fornshell. Although Laterza and Fornshell were Palmieri's and Gersh's most formidable opponent all year, the Lady Trojan duo was too strong, both hitting passing shots for winners and forcing Lauralton Hall errors.

Weston's duo also served consistently and worked well together. Palmieri had a few overhead forehand slams for winners, one in which she jumped up and slammed it to the open spot.

"The two of us focused and we had a good warmup," said Palmieri. "We know how to play as a team and we know each other's game. It was weird not facing Katarina and Maggie because we faced them all the time. We were able to read their [Laterza's and Fornshell's] game and make adjustments."

Gersh said, "Liz and I benefit from having a lot of experience we have together. We realize we have to come up to net together and go back together and it helped us a lot."

At third doubles, Lady Trojan sophomores Kelly Pierce and Rebecca Zhu outlasted lefty Caroline Belger and righty Emily Devaney in the first set, 7-5 before making easy work of them in the second set for a 7-5, 6-2, victory. Pierce and Zhu forced errors and hit many winners in overcoming the southpaw Belger's killer serve, which helped the Crusaders in this match.

Weston suffered its only blemish at second doubles with freshmen Emma Samson and Zoe Valella losing 6-4 in the first set to Meredith Elia and Elizabeth O' Connell. However, Samson and Valella bounced back, forcing errors and getting in their serves in a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, victory. Samson was especially formidable at the net, hitting a few overhead forehand slams for winners.

"I'm proud of the girls," said Palmieri.

Schaefer said, "I definitely think this win was important because it reinforces what a strong team we have this year."

First place will be at stake Friday when the Lady Trojans host Barlow High. Barlow defeated Lauralton Hall, 6-1 and has a very formidable lineup.

"It will be another tough match, but hopefully, everyone will come to play," said Vorvis. "We have to stay focused and we can't let our guard down."