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Ready
Woodstock Academy freshman Adeline Smith gets ready to return serve against Nonnewaug. Photos by Marc Allard.
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Going Back
Woodstock Academy sophomore Hannah Darigan goes to the back hand in a win over Nonnewaug.
Spring break is much anticipated by those who have vacation plans.
It’s not so much fun for coaches.
That was especially true for the Woodstock Academy tennis teams.
“It’s terrible and it’s getting worse,” Centaurs boys’ and girls’ tennis head coach Ann Rathbone said.
Between the two varsity programs and the girls’ JV team, Rathbone has 42 student-athletes.
In a practice last week, 10 were in attendance.
“I’m really seriously considering not scheduling matches any more during spring break,” Rathbone said.
The Centaurs girls’ team did get one meet in April 16 and did well.
Nonnewaug Regional High School was suffering from the same spring break flu and also had an improvised lineup.
The Centaurs took advantage and scored a 6-1 victory in a match played at the Pomfret School.
It was a bit different from the last regular season match from last year where Nonnewaug gave Woodstock Academy a scare, before the Centaurs pulled out a 4-3 victory.
“It was a very good win,” Rathbone said. “The experience that the girls who were there got was great.”
For example, Logan Reynolds made her varsity debut at third doubles and teamed with Emma Hovestadt for a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Haley Gonzales and Rachel Pieger.
“You have to start somewhere with the young ones,” Rathbone said.
The Centaurs were also missing their No. 1 player. Mari Ruggieri.
Senior Morgan Bassett stepped into that role and handed Sophia Cenatiempo, Nonnewaug’s top singles player, a 6-1, 6-2 defeat.
“She is one of our captains so that was huge and she played very well,” Rathbone said.
Hannah Darigan had a bit more of a battle at No. 2 singles where she held off Mariah Hubert, 6-2, 7-5.
Adeline Smith was also a winner at No. 4 singles over Kate Greene, 6-2, 6-0.
“That was the most impressive match to me. Adeline is only a freshman and, quite frankly, their No. 4 player looked better than their No. 1,” Rathbone said.
“She’s scrappy, a fighter. You know what you’re getting when you put (Smith) out there, someone who is going to battle.”
Annabelle Bastura and Caitlin Sroczenski scored a 6-0, 6-3 win over Stephanie DiSarro and Yasmene Tyles at No. 1 doubles.
The second doubles match went to the Centaurs’ duo of Rachel Lambert and Jackie Trudeau who downed Sarah Blackburn and Kate Pagnamenta 6-0, 6-1.
The win raised the Centaurs record to 3-1.
“I really thought we could have done better against Joel Barlow (a season-opening loss), we, hopefully, will get another crack at them in the state tournament. We’ve seen what they have (Barlow is the defending Class M champion) and they’re not better than us, just the score (1-6) didn’t reflect it.”
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
The Woodstock Academy
.