Inspired Cech Helps Girls’ Tennis Team Reach Quarterfinal

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s No. 3 singles player, Ashley Cech, won the decisive match in the Nighthawks’ Class L State Tournament’s first round clash with South Windsor on Monday evening, capping what was a long day of tennis for the Hawks ... and a tough couple of days for Cech.

The NHS junior had spent much of the previous night into the morning hours in Danbury Hospital with her father, Michael, who suddenly felt ill and was taken to the hospital on Sunday. Cech’s dad returned home Monday night and was feeling better, Newtown Coach Maureen Maher said.

It was unknown what led to the sudden illness, the coach said, but Cech’s performance may have helped in her father’s quick recovery process.

Michael Cech was in the hospital with his wife, Yvonne, who was getting text message updates on their daughter’s progress in the match.

“It was a particularly proud moment for me. It certainly aided in the recovery,” Michael Cech said.

Maher said her No. 3 player’s dad asked her to go out and win her match. So, after a night of minimal sleep and a long bus ride to South Windsor — followed by a preliminary round match 7-0 victory over Crosby that same afternoon — the 14th-seeded Nighthawks upset No. 3 South Windsor 4-3. The match was even at three wins apiece and Cech’s match was the last one to unfold.

The junior kept focused, despite the distraction of her dad’s hospital stay, to win a three-setter against South Windsor’s Andie Earwaker, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.

“She basically won it for her dad and us,” Maher said.

Newtown’s bus left the school at 10:30 am for the 1 pm match against Crosby.

The South Windsor match began after 3 pm and Cech’s clinching point was not until sometime around 7:30 pm, putting a happy end to a grueling, nerve-wracking afternoon.

Newtown’s top two doubles tandems and fourth singles players also came out on top to help Newtown advance past South Windsor. No. 4 singles player Nicole Vournazos, along with the No. 1 doubles duo of Kristen Tanner and Meghan Loose and the No. 2 tandem of Kristen Tassinari and Ale Fuentes, all won in two sets.

Against Crosby, in addition to those winners, No. 2 singles player Caitlin O’Mahoney and the No. 3 doubles team of Sara Benson and Ayesha Dholakia also came out on top as the Nighthawks’ swept their way into the next round.

The Nighthawks’ tennis marathon of sorts continued — and ended — on Tuesday.

The Hawks trekked to Glastonbury to visit the tournament’s sixth seed in the quarterfinals. NHS was defeated 6-1 as Ciamarra earned the Hawks’ lone win.

Play continues in the State Open this week.