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05/05/2024 09:38 PMWith a new mentor in its sted, along with a good amount of fresh-faced athletes, the East Haven girls’ tennis team appears to be well on its way of shedding any long, slow rebuild tag. The Yellowjackets have amassed a solid core of veterans to complement a bunch of prodigious youngsters who have accelerated past any learning curve.
After earning only seven wins in 2022, East Haven rebounded and the Yellowjackets surpassed that triumph total for the 2023 slate by going 9-11 for the regular season. Those efforts netted East Haven a spot in the Class L State Tournament as the No. 21 seed, where it took a 6-1 qualifying-round defeat at No. 12 seed Windsor on May 26 to conclude the season 9-12 overall.
Thus far, the Yellowjackets are out to a 2-10 record on the spring slate with a new leader at the helm in Head Coach Ellyn DiVerniero. Despite the mark, she recollected that East Haven had to sort of assimilate the depth of the squad via recruitment. Still, the Yellowjackets moved swiftly and are continuing to form a foundation for future success.
“This tennis season was a large rebuild for the team. At the start, we only had the returning juniors and seniors and had to recruit to have enough players to be able to compete. We quickly got enough students and started working hard to prepare for the season,” said DiVerniero. “Our goals for the season and moving forward are to rebuild the team, build on our skills, and foster a positive community.”
Seniors Melania Korenovsky and Alyson Alberino are serving as captains for the squad. Both are out of the singles section with Korenovsky at the No. 2 slot and Alberino at No. 3. Korenovsky brings about an infectious optimistic spirit to her court cohorts daily, while Alberino has served an instrumental role in getting the rookies acclimated to the sport.
“Melania and Alyson lead the team with their positive attitude and outlook through the team's wins and losses,” said DiVerniero. “Melania is a dedicated player who is always giving her all on the court, learning from our losses, and helping teammates build their tennis skills. Her positivity is contagious; you cannot have a bad practice or bad match if Melania is there. Alyson is a key player who is also always helping her newer teammates get comfortable playing tennis. She plays tough and with tons of passion in every match.”
At the top of the singles roster is another newcomer to the program in junior Dolores Robles. Yet she has picked up the game rather quickly and makes it look effortless while garnering key victories along the way.
“New to the team this year, Dolores has been a tremendous asset to the girls’ tennis team,” DiVerniero said. “Dolores has amazing talent as a tennis player, almost making it look easy. Playing in our No. 1 singles spot, she won against Hamden [7-5, 7-5] [6-0, 6-1], against Hill Regional Career High School [6-4, 6-0], versus Lyman Hall [6-1, 6-0], and Wilcox Tech [6-0, 6-0].”
Regardless of how the decision plays out for the final weeks of the regular season, DiVerniero can look back upon things with a grand sense of pride and satisfaction. Mastering the tennis courts takes a great deal of time, along with the quintessential amount of mental and physical temerity and tenacity. She noted that all of the girls, regardless of tenure or prior background, have truly grown and gained strength through hardships.
“At the start, a lot of girls struggle with having power and control in the sport. Each player has worked hard to perfect their backhands, forehands, and serves,” said DiVerniero. “Many players have never picked up a racquet before joining, so the progress made by senior year is truly extraordinary. The sport requires players to maintain not only physical but mental strength, which many girls develop through perseverance in overcoming obstacles in matches.”
The Yellowjackets’ 2024 roster is comprised of seniors Hailey Ahumada, Alberino, Isabella Katynski, Korenovsky, Alexis Lampera, Samantha Thy; junior Brianna Casner, Robles; sophomores with Diana Melnyk; plus freshmen Kayla Federico and Madison Moody.
2024 East Haven Girls’ Tennis Team Regular Season Results and Schedule
April 1: Hand 7, East Haven 0
April 5: Hamden 6, East Haven 1
April 10: Sacred Heart Academy 7, East Haven 0
April 15: West Haven 6, East Haven 1
April 17: Foran 6, East Haven 1
April 19: East Haven 6, Career 1
April 22: Lyman Hall 5, East Haven 2
April 23: Sacred Heart Academy 7, East Haven 0
April 24: Hand 7, East Haven 0
April 29: Hamden 6, East Haven 1
May 1: Wilcox Tech 5, East Haven 2
May 4: East Haven 4, North Branford 3
Monday, May 6: at Wilcox Tech at 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, May 7: at Sheehan at 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8: at West Haven at 3:45 p.m.
Friday, May 10: vs. Foran at 3:45 p.m.
Monday, May 13: vs. Career at 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday May 14: vs. Sheehan at 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15: at Lyman Hall at 3:45 p.m.