By Steve Bigham

The Newtown High School girls’ tennis team has taken on a whole new look this week following some clever tinkering of the lineup by Coach Kathy Davey. Looking to add a spark to her squad, Davey began a bit of experimentation this week and she’s hoping the end result will be better overall tennis.

Sophomore Caroline Kunkel will remain in the number one spot, but junior captain Caitlyn Martin has moved from her first doubles position up to second singles. On Monday, Martin made her first appearance at singles and pulled out an impressive 7-5, 6-1 victory over Bethel’s Brianna Quindazzi.

“It was a great match to watch. She totally psyched the girl out. Caitlyn used an array of back spin shots and drop shots,” said Davey, who had to talk Martin into moving up from doubles. Martin prefers the team game, but as Newtown struggles with a 1-5 record, it became clear that the team needed her skills in singles.

“She had to move up. She just had to,” Davey said. “I felt she had to accept the responsibility as a captain. She’s a smart player. She tries to move her opponent around. She sees the whole court, she likes those angled shots and manages to get the other person off their game.”

Maria Pavelo will remain in the third slot, while Sloane Schnell will take over the fourth singles position. Brittany Meier will also see time at singles.

Moving up from second doubles to first doubles is the tandem of Naomi Kim and Rachel Stern. They too won an impressive match against Bethel at their new position, beating the team of Danielle Imwalle and Beth Sottosanti, 2-6, 6-1, 7-5.

Kali Santarpia and Jackie Alpert will move up from third doubles to second doubles. Taking their place at third doubles will be Kim Allen and Christina Andrews.

Overall, Newtown lost the Bethel match, 5-2. However, last Friday the Nighthawks pulled out their first win of the year, a 4-2 decision over Stratford. In that match, Kunkel earned her first win of the season, a 7-5, 6-1 decision over Kate Cottrell.

Freshman Kim Allen was also victorious, winning at fourth singles 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 over April Kay.

Both doubles teams also won. At first doubles, Martin and Andrews defeated Stacey Bufalini and Kelly Powers, 6-0, 6-0, while Kim and Stern beat Judy Casteneda and Jessica Hurley, 6-1, 6-1.