Girls’ Tennis Team Readies For Rematches

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s girls’ tennis players heated up just in time to be on their game for apparently the toughest portion of the schedule with matches against South-West Conference rivals Joel Barlow, Lauralton Hall and Weston — in succession — this week.

After dropping their first two matches of the season, 5-2 to Barlow and 4-3 to Hall, Newtown has won four straight. Those two losses were considered nonconference matches so that won’t hurt the Hawks in the SWC standings. Head Coach Maureen Maher is confident her team will be sharper in the rematches (which will count in the SWC standings) with Barlow and Hall and for the clash with defending SWC and Class S champion Weston. Those teams, in all likelihood, are also going to be that much sharper, so these matches surely will be tough.

The Nighthawks do have some newfound confidence, though, having reeled off wins over New Milford, Pomperaug, Notre Dame-Fairfield, and Stratford. Each victory was by a 6-1 margin with exception of a 5-2 triumph over ND.

“We just have to put our minds to it,” No. 1 doubles player Charlotte Manos said of her team’s efforts to overcome those SWC rivals.

Her partner, Maxx Zimmer, added that being in the right state of mind will also be key. A string of wins should go a long way toward helping with that mindset.

Many players have adjusted well to shifts in the lineup from a year ago. Christina Ciamarra, who was the No. 2 singles player a year ago, has performed well in the top spot. Katie Serock, who previously played doubles, stepped into the No. 2 singles slot and has also succeeded. After her No. 1 doubles partner Jenna Moser graduated, Serock wanted to try her hand at singles play.

“It’s a lot more running and a lot less volleying,” said Serock, adding that she is looking forward to seeing how well she will do against the best of the best.

“She’s a really solid, steady player and she’s great at the net,” Maher said. “She’s adjusted really well. She worked on it all summer.”

Jenna Himmelfarb returns to the singles lineup and moved up from the No. 4 to 3. Freshman Caitlin O’Mahoney has earned the No. 4 position.

Zimmer and Manos, both seniors, are each experienced but a new doubles tandem. Serock and Moser earned All-State accolades and the new top duo is shooting for the same recognition.

“Our goal is to get our names on the All-State banner,” Zimmer said.

“They gel really well together. They’re both hard, heavy hitters — they’ve both got great serves,” Maher said.

Erin Nemeth, who was paired with Manos last spring, is now playing with team newcomer and sophomore Ashley Cech in the No. 2 position. This tandem is also hard-hitting, the coach said.

The No. 3 doubles duo comprises sophomore Kristen Tanner and freshman Meghan Loose. They were undefeated through the middle of the week and were given a day off on Monday against Stratford. The keys to the success of the No. 3 doubles partners is that they have found a way to overcome their mistakes with ease and communication.

“We have rules. We’re not allowed to say ‘sorry’ if we mess up on a point,” Tanner said. “We talk between almost every point.”

The importance of the “no sorry” rule is that it keeps the players focused and doesn’t allow them to dwell on mistakes that can pile up during any match.

New to high school tennis, Loose is enjoying the team camaraderie. “It’s a lot of fun and everyone’s really nice,” Loose said.

The Hawks seemed to be heating up along with the weather in the past week-plus, but Maher knows the players will have to keep working hard to be at their best throughout the season. The coach has put a lot of emphasis on fitness, which she believe will pay off as the season grows older and the players have to battle through long matches.

“They’ll be in better shape,” Maher said.