By Joseph Staszewski
It was all building toward this for Mary Louis.
This group of Hilltoppers has spent the last two seasons inching its way toward a CHSAA girls’ tennis state title. The third time was the charm.
Mary Louis ended St. Francis Prep’s 16-year hold on the crown in the semifinals and bested Archdiocesan champion St. Joseph Hill 5-0 in the final to claim the school’s first championship last Thursday at the Staten Island Community Tennis Courts. The Hilltoppers bested the Terriers 3-2 in the semifinal.
“The girls have been working so hard for this for the last few years,” TMLA coach Kelly Kelley said. “Last year they came so close. This year they worked so hard. It was just a great reward.”
The Hilltoppers don’t start a senior, but each player has plenty of experience in pressure matches. This group lost 4-1 to St. Francis Prep two years ago and fell 3-2 last season as a result of losing a first doubles tie-breaker.
Kelley believes that removed the intimidation factor that can come with playing the Terriers and their streak. Her players knew they were good enough to beat them.
“Everyone on the team has been through this and I think that’s what actually helped us this year,” said first singles star Yuka Lin. “Everyone was more nervous the year before. This year we came in with more experience and more confidence.”
Mary Louis trailed St. Francis Prep 2-1 this time around. It didn’t hurt its confidence.
Victoria Zezula rallied from a set down to win at second singles and Abigail Raphael and Julia Scapp held on at first doubles to seal the match.
“Once the last game was won we all felt complete excitement,” Lin said. “We ran out on to the court. Our entire team, it was the greatest day or our life.”
Kelley made sure to warn her squad not to get too happy. They couldn’t look past St. Joseph Hill. It was up to them if they wanted to just be the team that beat Prep or the one who finally brought home a state crown. TMLA didn’t lose its focus.
Lin won 6-1, 6-0 at first singles. Zezula earned a 6-0, 6-0 victory at second singles and Joanna Latek won 6-1, 4-6, 10-6 at third singles. Raphael and Scapp and Michailah Marshall and Taylor Duval swept the first and second doubles matches, respectively.
The crown brings greater expectations next season with no one being lost to graduation. Kelley knows there will be a target on their backs next year. It’s something Mary Louis has been hoping for and building toward.
“We are all prepared for that,” Lin said. “We are all happy to have that title now.”
