NHS Girls’ Tennis—

Hawks Overcome Non-Conference Setback, Top Weston

By Andy Hutchison

Newtown High School’s girls’ tennis team saw its season-long 11-match winning streak get snapped in a 5-2 loss at non-conference opponent Fairfield Ludlowe on May 4. The Nighthawks, however, rebounded with a key 6-1 win over Weston on Monday to stay unbeaten in the South-West Conference with just three matches left on the schedule.

Newtown’s top singles player, freshman Caroline Kelley, dropped her first high school match after an amazing start, falling 6-1, 6-1 to Weston junior Kimmy Guerin, the top player in the state and a New England standout.

Lauren Frazetta and Mia Terracino, at second and third singles, respectively, won two-set matches. Newtown also claimed a victory via Weston forfeit at fourth singles. Each of Newtown’s three doubles teams won in two sets: Julia Frattaroli and Stephanie Roman at first doubles, Maggie Kost and Annie Beier at second doubles, and Meghan Logan and Aimee Alexander in the third slot.

The Nighthawks are scheduled to close out the regular season with three matches in as many days, May 14-16, against Masuk of Monroe, Joel Barlow of Redding, and Pomperaug of Southbury — all on the road. The biggest match appears to be the May 15 clash with Barlow, which has only two losses — one to Newtown, and the other to the only team to knock off Newtown, Ludlowe. The Nighthawks defeated Barlow 6-1 in a non-conference match earlier this spring. This one counts toward the conference standings and the top seed and chance to host the SWC championship match may be at stake.

Newtown Coach Maureen Maher notes that Barlow was not at full strength when the teams met earlier, and she expects a closer match this time around.

Maher has been pleased with the play of all of her team members — across the board — and is enthusiastic about the upcoming postseason. The SWC semifinals are scheduled for May 17 with the championship match on May 21. The conference’s individual tourney will be held May 23 and 24.