By Kim J. Harmon

WEST HARTFORD – They might have gotten bounced from the CIAC Class L state tournament in the opening round, but all that is going to do is make the Newtown High School girls’ tennis team more anxious to get back.

“Next year our goal will be to earn a higher seed and make it to the quarterfinals at least,” said head coach Jean Kunkel. “I feel confident we can achieve this because we are only losing two seniors – albeit exceptional athletes – in Caroline (Kunkel) and Christina (Andrews).”

The Lady Nighthawks, seeded 13th, were defeated 6-1 by William Hall. Andrews and Kim Allen earned the only Newtown win of the day at No. 1 doubles, defeating the duo of Weiner/Levine 6-3, 6-3.

“Kim and Christina never let the large crowd a chance to get into the match,” said coach Kunkel. “every time the Hall team would make a great shot and the crowd would start to anticipate a point, Christina and Kim would make an even better shot to win that point.”

Although the ‘Hawks were beaten in six other matches, they did not go down easy. Kunkel was defeated by Alli Bacall 7-5, 7-5 at No. 1 singles, Brittany Meier was defeated by Rachel Myers-Weinerman 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2 singles, Tara Ryan was edged by Jessica Friedman 6-4, 1-6, 4-6 at No. 3 singles, and Sarah Salbu was defeated by Stephanie Barrack 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4 singles.

“Caroline and Alli were well-matched,” said coach Kunkel. “Caroline has a high ball toss when serving, and so the wind was especially difficult for her, and her double faults were probably the deciding factor because I think she was out-hitting Alli with a tough game plan.”

Emily Fields and Jill Tanner were stopped 6-0, 7-5 by Fox/Jacobs at No. 2 doubles while Stephanie Corleto and Christina Elsenhans were beaten 6-1, 6-3 by Nadgor/Grados at No. 3 doubles to round out the match. The ‘Hawks fell to 10-5.

“Stephanie and Christina had some great shots,” said coach Kunkel, “but the Hall team was too strong and experienced that day.”

The CIAC girls’ individual tennis tournament will commence Saturday at Yale University in New Haven.