Shows plenty of fight in bout with Winchester

Published in the May 11, 2018 edition

BY JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Lady Raider tennis team hosted undefeated Winchester on Thursday, May 3 and though they fell in a 5-0 loss, they performed at a level that impressed. 

“We didn’t win but what a battle that was fought on the court,” says Melrose head coach Deb Deacon. She points to the effort of Emma Bates, who pushed a 3rd set in third singles and fell in a tiebreaker, 6-10. “Winchester will be a team who will go undefeated at 18-0. Emma had a great match in unbelievable heat and humidity on Thursday, just missing the rain and playing her heart out, literally.” 

SENIOR CAPTAIN Emma Bates (pictured) had a standout performance against Winchester on May 3. (Donna Larsson photo)

Bates lost the first set 3-6 in a back-and-forth match. But as her coach pointed out, “Like the Celtics, she didn’t let the fact she was down a set dampen her spirits.” 

She fought hard and beat her opponent, 6-4, in the second set to push the third set tiebreaker. Bates pushed points back and forth with her opponent before falling, 6-10.

“When she came off the court she was elated, as she has never played that tight of a match against the ever-fierce Winchester,” says her coach. “She knew she played well and she was proud of her efforts. We were all proud as she played great.”

Teammate Colleen Denning also had a battle at 2nd singles and showed her best tennis playing of the season. Her battle was a 3-6, 2-6 finish that showed consistency and an improved game.

“Colleen was a bit tentative at the start of the season as playing a singles position can be intimidating,” says Deacon. “However, she has worked so hard and she is simply playing great tennis.” 

Melrose faced an uphill battle against several Liberty teams with losses against Belmont 0-5, Reading 0-5 and Winchester 0-5 to round out the week. But the coach is looking forward to more equitable competition. “We head into next week with some great match play against the likes of the Freedom league with Wilmington on Monday and Stoneham on Wednesday.”

They will host Stoneham on Wednesday (post-deadline) before they host Watertown on Monday at 3:45 p.m.