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08/03/2022 10:35 AMChemistry is important when it comes to bonding with your doubles partner on the tennis court. For recent North Haven graduate Noelle Carmody, forming a strong relationship with teammate Zeena Mohamed at the No. 1 doubles position helped her achieve success and enjoy her experience as a member of the program.
Noelle played a crucial role while forming one half of a No. 1 doubles duo that guided the Nighthawks to a solid spring season in 2022. North Haven finished its season with 15 victories to go along with appearances in the SCC Tournament and the Class L State Tournament.
Noelle’s chemistry with Mohamed sparked the tandem’s success on the court. After playing No. 3 doubles last year, the pairing stuck together and competed at the top of lineup as they solidified their bond this year.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. I probably wouldn’t have been playing in the varsity lineup if I wasn’t playing with her,” says Noelle of Mohamed. “She was able to read the other players really well, which is something I initially struggled with, but she really helped me to teach me how to read how the other players play.”
Noelle’s favorite moment of the 2022 campaign came when North Haven faced Cheshire on April 5. The Nighthawks defeated the Rams by a 6-1 score to earn their first victory of the season. Noelle and Mohamed did their part by winning their match to spur North Haven to a statement victory.
“It was the first time we were playing them. It made me feel very proud of myself and Zeena,” Noelle says. “Honestly, I just kept thinking about the team, because they were all around and cheering us on that whole time. A lot of girls didn’t really leave our side during that match, which definitely is the reason behind winning that match.”
Noelle’s love for tennis started developing in middle school, and she wanted to carry her passion for the sport to the program at the high school. After trying lacrosse as a freshman and then seeing the 2020 season get canceled, Noelle made her debut with the North Haven girls’ tennis squad as a junior last spring. Noelle was intrigued by how Nighthawks bonded cohesively as a team while playing an individually based sport.
“I feel like it’s a very different sport, because it’s so individual, but that team chemistry is kind of where the team aspect of tennis comes in,” says Noelle. “The way the North Haven team was able to actually make it feel like a team, even though all individual matches were going on, was pretty impressive and amazing. It’s why girls that aren’t in the varsity lineup continue to play. They love the team aspect.”
Noelle played an integral role in North Haven’s success while competing at No. 1 doubles in her senior season. Noelle knew that she and Mohamed had a responsibility to set an example for their teammates. Head Coach Bob Migliorini looked to Noelle as a leader and counted on her to be a role model for the Nighthawks.
“Noelle was definitely a role model for the girls on the team. The other girls looked up to her. She wasn’t a captain, but at the same time, she possessed really good leadership skills,” Coach Migliorini says. “She’s really a team player. She was a core contributor at the highest doubles spot in our lineup.”
Noelle and Mohamed finished their farewell season with 8 victories for a North Haven team that posted an overall record of 15-7. The Nighthawks qualified for the postseason and claimed a victory in both tournaments, advancing to the semifinals of SCCs and the quarterfinal round in states.
On the heels of a solid season last year, Noelle knew that North Haven would be in good shape to make another deep playoff run in 2022. Noelle took her senior season seriously and wanted to help her squad achieve the best results possible.
“My mindset was taking this season a bit more serious. In the previous season, we went pretty far, but we didn’t expect it. During the preseason and going into this season, we knew we had a chance to go pretty far and make it into the playoffs,” says Noelle. “There was definitely more of that serious mindset, actually keeping your head in the game and focusing on the sport. That was the goal, because sometimes tennis can be more fun than serious.”
While the Nighthawks saw their fair share of success during her tenure, Noelle took away much more from her experience with the program than any positive outcomes. Along with the accomplishments on the court, Noelle formed friendships with a group of teammates whom she deeply cares about.
“My friends on the team motivate me. When I’m playing, I like to think about them and how my match will affect them,” Noelle says. “Obviously, every match is important, so I would never want to not try as hard and affect the results, which would then affect how my friends play the next match.”
In addition to playing tennis, Noelle also served as a captain for North Haven field hockey team during her senior year. The next step of Noelle’s journey will take her to Quinnipiac University. Noelle, who served as vice president of North Haven’s National Honor Society, will work toward her master’s in occupational therapy at Quinnipiac.
Noelle learned many valuable lessons while making a plethora of memories as a North Haven tennis player. Noelle helped the Nighthawks maintain their reputation as a top team in the SCC while participating in a sport that she loves.
“I learned that at the end of the day, just do what you love, no matter what anyone else thinks,” says Noelle. “Tennis at North Haven was never taken really serious. Tennis was always under-looked. I would never had made so many friendships if I decided to not play the sport that I truly wanted to.”