By Steve Bigham

The Newtown High School girls’ tennis team opened its 2001 season Monday afternoon, and for some of the players, it was their first experience ever in a high school match.

When it was over, the Nighthawks fell to Bunnell, 4-3, on the NHS tennis courts. Many of the players blamed their shaky performances on a case of the jitters.

“They are young and immature in their play. They’ll only get better with experience. They were nervous,” said Coach Kathy Davey, whose team is made up mainly of freshmen and sophomores, with just a smattering of juniors and seniors.

And many of those youngsters play singles where Newtown lost all four matches. All three wins came in doubles where the Nighthawks have at least some experience.

Against Bunnell, NHS teacher Dan Winsett ably filled in as coach after Davey was unexpectedly called out of town.

Newtown was slated to travel to New Fairfield on Wednesday before traveling to Lauralton Hall in Milford next Monday.

Bunnell 4, Newtown 3

 

Singles: Natalie Komcroski (B) def. Caroline Kunkel, 6-4, 6-1; Katie Tensley (B) def. Maria Pavelo, 6-0 6-1; Katie Sutyak (B) def. Brittany Meier, 6-2 6-3; Amy Ponialowski (B) def. Jessica Nicolosi, 6-1 6-0. Doubles: Caitlin Martin/Christina Andrews (N) def. Maria Murello/Adrienne Zaleski, 6-1 6-1; Naoimi Kim/Rachel Stern (N) def. Emily Bajko/Rachel Boulton 3-6, 6-1, 6-2; Jackie Alpert/Kali Santarpia (N) def. Amy Green/Christina Jelenik 6-4, 6-2.