Victory over Wakefield always fun

Published May 24, 2019

By JENNIFER GENTILE

WAKEFIELD—It was a week of celebration for the Melrose High girl’s tennis team, who enjoyed an early banquet and picked up a key league win over Wakefield on the road on Tuesday, 4-1. 

Melrose saw victories from Grace Sanderson (first singles, 6-1, 6-2) MacKenzie Donovan (second singles, 6-2, 6-4) Emma Miller & Haley Smith (first doubles, 6-0, 6-2) and Maeve McGillicuddy & Annie Kavanaugh (second singles, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1). 

It was Melrose’s second straight win over the Warriors this season. 

GIRLS VARSITY tennis captains: outgoing senior Maeve McGillicuddy, incoming Christina Csisek, Janice Tang, Amber Chow and outgoing outgoing senior Annie Kavanaugh. (courtesy photo)

Melrose coach Deb Deacon noted some recent efforts from her players. “Grace Sanderson is playing well, learning to strategize and winning some match play games. Christiana Csisek at 2nd is playing some incredible matches, battling at every turn and playing well.”

She also credited Mackenzie Donovan in 3rd singles. “She’s playing well and frustrating her opponents,” she said. “She is lobbing, has some great cross court shots, she never gives up and as a freshmen, she is coming to love the game of tennis and she is playing well. Once we get her serve to be a bit more of a threat, she will be a force to be reckoned with.”

Melrose has shown a huge amount of improvement since the start of the season. Says Deacon, “The girls are learning fun skills that they have used during match play. We’ve been working on our net game and becoming more aggressive. We’re hitting angled shots that make it impossible for their opponents to return. It’s fun to when they look at me as if to say ‘coach, it works!’ They are truly learning to strategize to win and not just return the ball to their opponent.”

Melrose will no doubt aim to pick up more wins before the end of the season. “We’re going to work on being aggressive with our serve and our net game, and to become more comfortable using drop shots and lobs appropriately during a match. We try to always stay positive as that has a huge impact on our mental game. Staying positive until the final ball drops!”