By Kim J. Harmon

It may be the right time for someone to start using the word juggernaut when talking about the Newtown High School girls’ tennis team. And why not? The Lady Nighthawks improved to 10-1 this week with a 6-1 win over Bunnell on Tuesday.

“The team is really believing in itself now,” said head coach Jean Kunkel.

The latest stage of this impressive run included wins over New Milford (6-1), Jonathan Law (6-1) and Bunnell (6-1). The girls – facing a real test of their stamina – have Lauralton Hall (Wednesday), Brookfield (Thursday), Pomperaug (Saturday) and Joel Barlow (Monday) to look forward to as the regular season winds up.

The South-West Conference team tournament starts on Tuesday, May 20. The individual tournament will follow on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 27 and 28, at the home of Lauralton Hall (Eisenhower Park) in Milford.

In the win over Bunnell, Caroline Kunkel defeated Dina Cyfeku 6-2, 6-1 at No. 1 singles, Brittany Meier defeated Allison Faustini 6-2, 7-5 at No. 2 singles, Tara Ryan defeated Emily Bajko 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 at No. 3 singles and Michelle Serock defeated Amanda Poniatowski 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4 singles.

“Brittany has been having a strong year at No. 2 singles,” said coach Kunkel. “She rarely gets a weak opponent and has been developing a very consistent, smart game as the season progresses. All my singles players started the season with strong games, but each has added elements to their game to make themselves a tougher player to beat.”

Christina Andrews and Kim Allen defeated Allison Orpilla and Erica Lecount 6-2, 6-2 at No. 1 doubles and Stephanie Greenfield and Emily Fields defeated Alex Pancak and Amy Anzaldi 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 at No. 3 doubles. But Jill Tanner and Ashley Gabor dropped a 6-7 (9-11), 5-7 decision to Christina Jelenik and Kristin Gaypa at No. 2 doubles.

“I love watching Christina and Kim play,” said coach Kunkel. “They do everything right. They rush the net, poach, smash volleys, lob, place their shots and communicate beautifully.”

In the win over New Milford, Kunkel defeated Anja Vujinic 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, Ryan defeated Amanda Durno 6-4, 6-2 at No. 3 singles, and Serock defeated Luciana Quinones 6-0, 6-1 at No. 4 singles. Meier suffered a 6-1, 6-3 loss to Alexandra Karadimas at No. 2 singles, though.

Andrews and Allen secured a 6-1, 6-1 win over Bethany Neill and Marissa Natale at No. 1 doubles while Tanner and Gabor earned a 6-1, 6-1 win over Alison Maeng and Kaytee Lozier at No. 2 doubles. Fields and Sarah Salbu finished off the win with a 6-1, 6-1 decision over Fei Li and Tiffany Yum at No. 3 doubles.

And in the win over Jonathan Law, Kunkel defeated Amy Wilhelm 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, Meier defeated Katrin Mardiola 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2 singles, Ryan defeated Kelly Chevett 6-1, 6-0 at No. 3 singles, and Serock defeated Heather Firn 6-2, 7-5 at No. 4 singles.

Andrews and Allen defeated Caitlyn Cianciolo 6-3, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles while Tanner and Gabor defeated Becky Maurer and Michelle Matthies 6-3, 7-5 at No. 2 doubles. Stephanie Corleto and Christina Elsenhans lost a 7-5, 0-6, 1-6 decision to Katie Pinto and Amanda Wilkinson at No. 3 doubles.

“I think the reason we have done so well this year is that so many of my players are such good athletes,” said coach Kunkel. “The girls who play soccer are benefiting from the conditioning and footwork and the girls who play team sports are bringing the team concept to tennis.”