By Sam Rosenblatt
Managing Editor of Sports
As one of the last Newton South athletic teams competing in the postseason, the girls’ tennis team came up short against Andover in the Division 1 North Sectional Final on Friday, ultimately falling 4-1.
Freshmen Kayla Schwartz and Samantha Smith each lost close matches at first and third singles, respectively.
Both Lions’ doubles teams also fell to the Golden Warriors attack. The doubles team of senior captain Asako Takeuchi and sophomore Alexa Wolin lost a competitive match at first doubles, while senior captain Lulu Wan and junior Sasha Badov lost a tight first set 5-7 before losing 2-6 in the next set at second doubles.
“For our match, a lot of games went to deuce and stretched on for a really long time,” Badov said.
“I think the heat also played a big factor because as the matches were stretching into the two hour mark, it got increasingly difficult to just wait out the point and not make mistakes.”
Though the match’s outcome was certain before the conclusion of her match, sophomore Sarah King battled both Andover and painful leg cramps in the heat to earn a tough victory. King won the first set, 7-5, lost the second set, 1-6, and won a third set tiebreaker 10-5 to clinch the only Newton South point on the day.
The loss followed a remarkable 3-2 victory in the Sectional semifinals over Westford Academy, featuring a marathon second doubles match to clinch the victory. Badov and Wan won in a three set thriller for the deciding point in front of a large crowd of parents and players (who watched the conclusion after finishing their own matches).
Despite a tough result to end the season, 2015 was hardly a disappointment for the Newton South girls’ tennis program.
“I really didn’t expect us to go this far,” Takeuchi said. “But I also believed that we can do it if we try our best. Even though we didn’t get the title, I am very proud of my team to get this far.”
According to Takeuchi, the Lions’ tournament success resulted from the hard work that the team has put into practice and matches since March.
“I’ll miss playing tennis with all my teammates and coaches,” she said. “We have worked together toward the same goal for almost three months. That was really enjoyable and precious time for me.”
Badov agreed that the tennis team’s journey and playoff run has been an amazing experience for all.
“Not only have we improved a lot as tennis players individually, we also grew as a team,” she said. “We have always been really supportive and spirited, and getting this far in the tournament has truly let us show that.”
The Lions finish the season with a record of 14-7 and runners-up in the Division 1 North Sectional Tournament.
