SOMERS, N.Y. - Somers traveled to Panas on Monday, Sept. 29, and after six singles matches, the teams were deadlocked at three apiece.
The outcome would hinge on the doubles team of Isabella Miele and Lacy Sanders.
“If they win, we win,” said singles player Eve Clark, while a loss would mean the opposite.
As it turned out, there was a third option.
As the sun went down, the doubles match ended in a 3-3 tie—just like the overall day.
The day began with Panas jumping out to a 2-0 lead. “I was definitely trying my best. I was running for every ball. But she was really good,” said Thalia Etelamaki after falling 10-3.
Next up was Julia Greco.
“I did well getting to the ball and hitting it hard. But I could have done better with my serves,” she admitted. Despite a 10-3 loss, the competitive rallies brought a smile to the sophomore’s face. “That means I know I’m getting to the ball and playing well,” she said.
Then Hannah Jeon and Maggie Sun took the court, facing a tough 10-5 loss that made a comeback seem daunting. Still, Jeon saw some bright spots. “I was pretty proud that my partner tried a few lobs,” she said, noting that the strategy could be a game-changer if executed well. She also praised her own backhand, which produced several winning shots.
By the time the next match started, the score was 6-5. Sun admitted fatigue from long baseline rallies, but their partnership remained effective. “She’s at the top, and I’m at the bottom. Whatever she misses, I get, and whatever is short, she gets,” said the sophomore.
The tide began to turn with Alison Cardillo and Chloe Lee’s doubles victory, 10-3. Their dynamic mirrored that of Sun and Jeon.
“Her strength is volleying,” said Cardillo. “That’s good because she can be up, and I can be back.” Both players noted areas for improvement. “I need to get better at volleys, and she can get better at being back,” Cardillo said. Lee added, “We played Panas last week, so we reflected on how we were hitting. Hitting the sweet spot on my returns makes me more accurate with my positioning.”
Somers pulled closer with Eve Clark’s 10-5 singles victory.
“All my shots were pretty much in,” said the junior. “I was pretty consistent.” She credited her backhand as a key strength: “It helps because they expect you not to have a great backhand.”
A tie seemed likely when Elena Kellock and Rachel Ehrmann took the court, quickly jumping to an 8-0 lead. Panas clawed back, winning the next six games and putting the duo under pressure.
“We got a little nervous,” Kellock admitted. But the teammates refocused and rallied. “We focused, and then we just did it,” she said. Kellock’s height helped at the net, while Ehrmann’s returns kept the team in control.
By nightfall, the match ended in a tie, but Somers left with more than just scores—they left with camaraderie.
“We’re like a little tennis family,” Ehrmann said.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here