By Kim J. Harmon

MONROE – Coach Jean Kunkel is thrilled.

Seven matches into the 2003 season and the Newtown High School girls’ tennis team has lost just once – to a powerhouse Weston team – so why wouldn’t the first-year coach be thrilled about that?

The latest conquest was Masuk.

On Monday afternoon at Wolfe Park in Monroe, the Lady Nighthawks dispatched the Lady Panthers, 5-2. Caroline Kunkel, Tara Ryan and Michelle Serock won their singles matches while the tandems of Christina Andrews/Kim Allen and Jill Tanner/Ashley Gabor won their doubles matches.

“Masuk may have thought we were a team that could be vulnerable,” said coach Kunkel, “but we proved them wrong.”

Kunkel defeated Ryan Caulfield 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, Ryan defeated Maggie Becker 6-0, 6-2 at No. 3 singles, and Serock defeated Amanda Benson 6-1, 6-3 at No. 4 singles.

“Caroline’s game strategy and execution is improving with each match,” said coach Kunkel. “I love to see her confidence; she really believes in herself now. And Tara and Michelle once again won in a deciding manner. These girls own their singles positions.”

Andrews and Allen defeated Lauren Pavia and Amy Riber 6-2, 6-2 at No. 1 doubles and Tanner and Gabor defeated Sara Peck and Lauren Foster 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) at No. 2 doubles.

“I love how Christina and Kim play doubles,” said coach Kunkel. “They communicate constantly, seizing the net, and ending the point at every opportunity. I expect them to go far in the SWC and state tournaments this year.”

The only losses on the day came at No. 2 singles, where Brittany Meier was forced to default to Leslie Peterson, and at No. 3 doubles, where freshmen Emily Fields and Sarah Salbu were locked into a tough match with Amanda Kelley and Michelle Woitouit.

“Brit had the match in hand when she started complaining about back pain,” said coach Kunkel. “Since we had the match in hand, it made no sense for her to risk injury when we need her later this week. And Emily and Sarah had a good learning experience, a tough three-set match. I believe that they could have won, but the other team’s experience was the deciding factor.”

The ‘Hawks hosted Immaculate on Wednesday and were ready to travel to New Milford on Friday.