Young Girls’ Tennis Team ‘Can Win SWCs’

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s girls’ tennis team, in the eyes of Coach Maureen Maher, can be the best in the South-West Conference this campaign.

“I really think we can win SWCs,” Maher said as her team practiced at Treadwell Park earlier this week. “We’re strong. We have a lot of depth.”

Maher, whose Nighthawks fell in the SWC semifinals a year ago, expects the usual tough foes — Weston and Joel Barlow of Redding — to be among the teams to overcome en route to a championship. “They’re always very strong,” she notes.

But Maher, whose team won the SWC’s Patriot Division a season ago, believes the Hawks have the depth necessary to win the overall crown this time around.

“I’m very excited for this year — we’re so strong. I have so many good players it’s going to be a challenge to try to put them somewhere,” Maher said as the preseason gave way to the start of the regular campaign this week.

“Our level from last year to this year is noticeably higher,” said the coach, adding that many of the team members trained hard in the offseason. “I really think we can do it. The level of play is so high.”

The team lost four seniors to graduation, and retained a bulk of the lineup — and brought in some strong newcomers, Maher said. No matter how far the Nighthawks go this season, the players will have at least one more year to accomplish the goal of winning a conference title. There are no seniors on the roster, which comprises five juniors, five sophomores, and five freshmen this spring.

Junior captains are Maria Biondi and Stephanie Roman. Freshman Caroline Kelly, whose family moved to town from Colorado, is among the strong newcomers, Maher said. Caroline Tanner, Aimee Alexander, Emily Jerris, and Alyssa Ruefenacht are the other first-year high schoolers on the team.

Sophomore Julia Frattaroli, who was an All-State doubles player a year ago, will need a new partner since fellow All-State doubles player Meghan Loose was among the graduates. Other sophomores are Stephanie Roman, Mia Terracino, Maggie Kost, and Annie Beier.

The juniors are Lauren Frazzetta, Rachel Durno, Meghan Logan, and the two captains.

One of the team’s newcomers this year is Assistant Coach Diane Frazzetta. “I’m really excited to be working with Maureen this year with a wonderful group of girls,” she said.

The Nighthawks were scheduled to host Pomperaug of Southbury on Thursday (after The Bee went to press), and will visit Lauralton Hall of Milford on April 9 before returning home to face Stratford on April 11. Newtown will face Barlow twice this year, including a match on April 17, and Weston visits on May 7.