Update post publication:
North Reading falls to Wayland 5-0 in the Elite 8 (June 8)

 

Published June 8, 2023

LUDLOW — On Tuesday afternoon, the North Reading High girls tennis team traveled to the Ludlow Tennis Club to take on host Belchertown for the Division 3 Round of 16 state tournament match-up.

The Hornets ended up winning a thrilling, 3-2, decision to move on to the state quarterfinals

With that victory, the 13th-seeded Hornets improved to 12-10. Meanwhile, 4th-seeded Belchertown ended the season at 16-4.

“That was a great win for our program,” stated Hornets head coach Matt Tiberii. “I was a little worried about the long trip and we did come out slow. However, we were able to bounce back.”

Althea Bradley beat Ava Shea, 1-6, 6-1, 6-1 at first singles while her sister, Alyssa, defeated Amber Drummond, 6-1, 6-4, at second singles.

Third singles player, Vanessa Wright, lost, 3-6, 6-4, 1-6, to Anna Stamp.

In doubles action, the first team of Chloe Florez and Katherine Hoadley won in three sets over Kasey Gibbons and Amanda Murray in three sets. They won the first one, 6-2, but lost the second one, 6-3. They then won the rubber set, 6-2 which clinched the match.

The second team of Mary Bonzagni and Bhagi Bandara lost in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, to Emalee Chaissen and Mia Corish.

In the first round, the Hornets edged Boston Latin Academy, 3-2, at home on June 1 on a hot, humid day. With the loss, the 20th-seeded Dragons ended the year at 13-2.

Althea Bradley lost to Jhianna Barnes at first singles, 2-6, 7-5 (10-2 in the tiebreaker), 10-2 as they played a ten-game pro set in the third set. Alyssa Bradley also lost as she fell to Erica Galloway, by matching 6-4 scores.

Wright won at third singles defeating Michelle Nina, 6-1, 6-1.

Florez and Hoadley won at first doubles, 6-2, 6-1, over Isra English and Susana Alverez. Bonzagni and Bandara won, 6-2, 6-4, over Sophie Van Horn and Shy Impert to clinch that match.

“The senior leadership at doubles came through,” said Tiberii as Bonzagni, Hoadley and Florez are 12th-graders.

The Hornets will now go to Wayland for the Round of 8 match on June 8 at 4:30 p.m. The 5th-seeded Warriors will enter the match with a record of 6-10.

“That is going to be a tough match for us,” admitted Tiberii. “The Dual County league is the best league in the state by far.”