NHS Girls’ Tennis Rolling—

Freshmen Are Aces On The Court

By Andy Hutchison

Maureen Maher, Newtown High School’s girls’ tennis coach, had a good feeling about her team as preseason unfolded — thanks, in part, to the talent she saw among her newcomers. Freshmen Caroline Kelly, Caroline Tanner, Aimee Alexander, Emily Jerris, and Alyssa Ruefenacht bolstered an already talented returning core.

So far, so good for unbeaten Nighthawks (5-0 following a 6-1 win over visiting Joel Barlow of Redding on Tuesday). Kelly, in fact, stepped right into the No. 1 singles slot, and has performed at a high level, despite facing some of the best players opposing teams have to offer, right from the beginning of her high school career. She’s won each of her first five matches — all in the minimum two sets.

“It’s awesome to start off my freshman year starting,” said Kelly, who has played competitive tennis for only three years. “I really enjoy it. The team is just like a family for me,” she added.

Kelly has high hopes for success this spring, noting that the Nighthawks are aiming for deep run — perhaps a championship — in the state tournament. “I really think we can do it. Our team is really determined.”

“I think we’ve got a pretty good chance they way we’ve been playing,” added Alexander, who has earned early-season doubles victories with partner Meghan Logan, a junior.

Maher has been given plenty of reasons to believe the team can at least threaten to win South-West Conference and state titles, especially after Newtown won three straight matches, over Lauralton Hall of Milford, Stratford, and Notre Dame-Fairfield, by 7-0 scores after topping Pomperaug of Southbury 6-1 in the opener, then toppling a typically strong Barlow squad with ease. “We’re going to be a contender,” the coach said. “I love what I’ve seen and they’re hungry.”

Part of the reason for the success on the court may be attributed to the attitude of players off the court. “I love all of the girls. They’re so funny — they’re hilarious,” Alexander said.

Maher said having a small roster of 16 players makes for good team bonding and believes their off-court togetherness has a nice carryover into match play.

“We have a nice solid group of girls who like to play,” Maher said. “I’m lucky. I have really nice girls — really strong players.”

The team will soon welcome back junior Grace Winans, a key player a year ago who was sidelined at the start of the campaign and will add depth to an already deep and talented lineup, Maher said.

Ruefenacht has earned wins in both singles and doubles play, and Tanner and Jerris have contributed with doubles victories — including once together, in the win over Stratford.

Lauren Frazzetta, a junior, has been locked into the No. 2 singles slot, and has won all of her matches. Sophomores Mia Terracino, Stephanie Roman, Julia Frattaroli, Stephanie Roman, Maggie Kost, and Annie Beier, along with junior Rachel Durno, have all contributed to the team’s early winning ways.