Girls’ Tennis

The Valley girls’ tennis team hosted Cromwell on April 15 and won 6-1 in dominant fashion. Senior captain Joanna Petrone took her opponent in two sets, 6-1, 6-2, in the first singles spot. Senior captain Natalie Novak also took her opponent in two sets, 6-1, 6-1, in the No. 2 singles position. Senior Clara Shea won in two sets (6-2, 6-0). Freshman alternate Scout Kornacki was in her first outing due to the No. 4 singles player being on vacation, and she bravely took the loss 0-6, 1-6.

The No. 1 doubles pairing of junior Regan Grow and her partner, sophomore Hannah Smith, won easily in two sets (6-0, 6-1). At No. 2 doubles, sophomore Ella Smith and junior Sophia Bonanno swept all games in two sets (6-0, 6-0). The third doubles team won by forfeit, as Cromwell couldn't field a third duo.

On April 16, the team played host to East Hampton and won 6-1. Petrone won 6-0, 6-1 in the first singles spot. Novak earned a win at No. 2 singles (6-1, 6-1), and Shea won in two sets (6-4, 6-1) at No. 3 singles. In her debut, freshman Talia Shanker lost 2-5, 2-5.

Doubles swept in a commanding way with a combined total of 36-2 games. Grow and Bonanno won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles. Sophomore Alana Martinez and junior Hannah Faucher won 6-0, 6-0. Finally, sophomores Ella Martinez and Sydney Liggett won 6-0, 6-1.

Head Coach Sage Novak was proud of the way the girls went out and dominated in all facets of the game, despite being down some key players.

“Once again, we had holes in our line-up with two starters out sick and one still on spring break,” Novak said. “Nevertheless, we easily secured the victory. The depth of our team this year is terrific, and the girls continue to amaze me with their ability to roll with unexpected changes on a regular basis. It was an absolutely gorgeous day on the hill.”

The Warriors played host to North Branford on April 17 and earned a 7-0 victory. North Branford could only travel with five players, so they forfeited fourth singles, and second and third doubles. Valley won by a commanding game count of 48-2.

Senior captain Joanna Petrone won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, and senior captain Natalie Novak won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2 singles. Senior Clara Shea won 6-0, 6-1 at third singles, while junior Regan Grow and sophomore Hannah Smith won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles.

Valley closed out a busy week at Old Saybrook on April 19 and earned a 7-0 victory. No. 1 singles had Petrone win against her opponent 7-5, 6-3.

“She had lost to this same girl the prior year, so she should be super proud of her efforts and development as a player with the victory,” said Novak.

At No. 2 singles, Novak took total charge of her opponent by winning 6-0, 6-0. Shea, a senior at No. 3 singles, also dominated her match by taking the win 6-0, 6-0. Freshman Riley Russell at No. 4 singles had a great game and won 6-2, 6-0.

“Riley has shown great improvement since taking over our 4th singles position,” mentioned Novak.

The doubles teams were all victorious once again and combined for a winning total of 36 games to just five for Old Saybrook.

To date this season, Valley girls’ tennis has combined to earn 424 points, with their opponents earning only 135 combined.

Golf

On April 17, Valley boys golf traveled to Morgan and fell 184-216. Tyler Ruel recorded a 42 on the course, while Braeden Nunes scored a 52. Owen Gallagher followed with a 55, Riley Diglio earned a 67, and Luke Beighau scored an 80.