Stoughton High Girls’ Tennis Team Splits First Two Matches

Kicking off their this past week, the Stoughton High girls’ tennis team split their first two matches by identical 3-2 scores, beating Norwood on Wednesday and losing to Foxborough on Thursday.

Valerie Szeto (6-1, 6-3) at second singles, Kara Morse (6-0, 6-0) at third singles and Vicki Tran and Danielle Durham (6-3, 6-4) at second doubles, each pulled out wins in straight sets against Norwood, giving Stoughton the victory.

Stoughton was without some of their usual starters against Norwood, but coach Bill Donovan gave credit to Durham, Olivia Panacy and Morgan Ayers for filling in. “[They] all gave great efforts and we managed to pull one out,” he said.

Against Foxborough, Stoughton was unable to crack the Warriors’ three singles players, Alana Prinos, Emma Prinos and Hallie Young. But, both doubles teams came up with wins for the Black Knights. The first doubles tandem of Szeto and Panacy won 7-5, 6-3, and the lefty duo of Tran and Taylor Goodrich won 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 at second doubles.

“I told the girls there are bad losses and good losses. I thought that was the best result we could have asked for,” Donovan said. “Foxborough has tremendous singles [players] and will be difficult to beat this year. I thought going into the match we could win both doubles, which we did.  A 3-2 result to Foxboro is a small win; many teams will lose at least 3-2 to them this year.”

Donovan said the team returns all of its key starters from a year ago. After going winless in 2009, the team won three matches last year (and lost six matches 3-2) and Donovan is looking to improve upon that win total this season.

“We had a very young team last year. Other league coaches mentioned to me we have a lot of promise going forward,” Donovan said.

Szeto, a junior, and Morse, a senior, are co-captains this season. Kiana Kountze-Lee and Ally Cohen will also be playing key roles on the team.

Donovan included six freshmen on the roster this season as well. He said he was impressed with their athleticism and potential.

This upcoming week, Stoughton (1-1) travels to Franklin on Tuesday, Oliver Ames on Wednesday and Randolph on Thursday.