ISABELLA COTTRELL has been among the many winners for the MHS girls’ tennis team this early spring. (Jennifer Gentile photo)
4-1 Melrose enjoys a winning streak
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Melrose High girls’ tennis team is riding an official winning streak after earning some key league wins over rivals Wakefield and Burlington last week to improve to 4-1 on the season.
Melrose hosted the Warriors on Thursday, April 14 and beat Wakefield, 4-1, in and warm day that saw four of the five matches going into three sets. “It was a great day to play tennis,” says head coach Lydia Mays. “Everyone on the team fought until the very end. The mental toughness was on full display.” One Melrose player, Isabella Cottrell, won in straight sets. Overall, winners included: 1st singles: Ruby Robicheau; 2nd singles: Ava Picone; 3rd singles: Isabella Cottrell and 2nd doubles: Anna Wong and Mackenzie Donovan. Falling just shy were the 1st doubles team of Ava McSorley and Saoirse Stallings.
Coach Mays felt especially proud of the work of Robicheau. “Ruby was down 2-6 and 1-4 and found a way to come back to win it. Very hard thing to do in tennis.”
Melrose picked up another win when they traveled to Burlington to face the Red Devils and beat them 4-1. “This win showed the hard work my girls have put in this season so far. After a long hard fought battle against Wakefield they did not let their fatigue show. They pushed their opponents to three sets and ended up with the win.”
Winners included 2nd singles: Ava Picone; 3rd singles: Isabella Cottrell and 1st Doubles: Ava McSorley and Saoirse Stallings and the 2nd doubles team of Anna Wong and Mackenzie Donovan. Coach Mays tips her cap to the work of her singles players who prevailed, Ava Picone and Isabella Cottrell. “Never count these two out. They figured out their opponents and did what they had to do to win.”
After the break, Melrose will continue play against Middlesex Freedom teams, which includes Wilmington home on Tuesday and Stoneham at home on Wednesday. They will travel to Winchester on Friday. With their success against ML small schools so far, could we be looking at a Freedom League title?
Stay tuned.
