(May 1, 2015) The Worcester Prep girls’ tennis team won six of the seven matches against the Parkside Rams in Salisbury on Tuesday.
Senior Tatjana Kondraschow (8-1), junior Isabel Carulli (8-1), senior Fiona Reid (8-4) and freshman Anchita Batra (8-3) earned victories at first, second, third and fifth singles, respectively.
Senior Natalie Twilley and junior Erika Smith outscored their first doubles competition 8-3.
Sophomores Eva Parks and Stormy McGuiness took their second doubles match 8-2.
“With Mattie out, Nos. 2-5 stepped up to play. I was really happy with their performance,” Prep Coach Cyndee Hudson said.
Senior Mattie Maull was still recovering from having her wisdom teeth taken out a few days earlier.
The boys’ team lost to Parkside 4-3.
Senior Quinn Lukas avenged his only loss of the season, defeating Parkside’s Connor Hautman 8-3 at first singles.
“Quinn played a very smart tactical approach to his opponent,” Prep Coach Terry Underkoffler said. “The first time he played him earlier in the season, he tried to overpower him. This second time, he changed his approach and was more patient, more crafty, made his opponent move, and waited for attacking shots.”
Senior Erik Zorn battled back from down 7-6 to win his second singles match 8-7.
“Erik played in a very intense back-and-forth match. Early in the match Erik had a 6-4 lead and seemed to be in control. His opponent began to play defensively and waited Erik out, and he missed some attacking shots in the rally,” Underkoffler said.
Trailing 7-6, Underkoffler said Zorn dug in, came back to his game and was more aggressive.
“Erik is a battler, has been all season, and was not going down easily,” Underkoffler said.
Kyle Chandler, a senior, won his third singles match 8-3.
“Kyle Chandler took his powerful serving game and patient approach to his opponent with his usual success,” Underkoffler said.
Worcester will join the other Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference teams–Gunston Day, Salisbury School and Saints Peter and Paul–for a championship meet today, Friday, at Gunston in Centreville.
“The ESIAC tournament gives our boys an opportunity to showcase the hard work and great results they have had all season,” Underkoffler said. “They need to be calculating with their approach and be willing to change tactics when needed.”
Hudson said the Lady Mallards are eager to compete in the conference tournament after their 6-1 victory Wednesday over the James M. Bennett Clippers in Salisbury.
“We played really well versus the best competition all season,” Hudson said.
