Published in the June 2, 2017 edition
MELROSE SENIORS and their family members on Senior Day (from left to right): Yasmin Kasbi, Sydney Hy, Diantha Coke, Captain Olivia Zibatis, Captain Julia McLaughlin, Erin Bright, Bethany Morris, Bella Federico, Megan Feeney, Colleen Denning, Nicole Adrian, Olivia Sampson and Isabel Bates. (Donna Larsson photo)
MELROSE—”How do you say goodbye to fourteen seniors?” asks Melrose girl’s tennis coach Deb Deacon as she reflects on the team’s spring season.
“As they say, ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’ but what a group!”
Departing this year for the Melrose Lady Raiders were Yasmin Kasbi, Sydney Hy, Diantha Coke, Captain Olivia Zibatis, Captain Julia McLaughlin, Erin Bright, Bethany Morris, Bella Federico, Megan Feeney, Colleen Denning, Nicole Adrian, Olivia Sampson and Isabel Bates.
“This group has come a long way,” says Deacon. “From freshmen year with some not being able to hit the ball over the net, score a match or play in a match to now playing in Varsity matches.”
Melrose’s highlight of the season was their 3-2 victory over Stoneham on April 28 behind the efforts of Olivia Zbatis, Julia McLaughlin, Isabel Bates, Catherine Denning, Colleen Denning, Maeve McGillicuddy and Annie Kavanaugh.
Beyond the win & loss columns, Deacon treasures something the girls gained over the season. “They developed life long friendships and a love and learning of a life long sport—tennis!”
