The Conant High School girls’ tennis team was once again thwarted by the Bow Falcons on Monday, losing each of their doubles sets and all but one of their singles sets.
The Orioles fall to 9-2 on the season, which at this point is likely good enough for a playoff spot, according to head coach Jody Baker. Their other loss on the season also comes from currently undefeated Bow, last year’s Division III state champions.
“They outplayed us today. It’s okay, as long as we learn from it,” said Baker. “If we face them in the playoffs, we are the underdogs. We will have nothing to lose.”
While freshman Kusum Aryal was the only Oriole to win a set Monday, Baker said she liked a lot of what she saw. The result of this match may not be better than their previous bout against Bow – where they lost 3-6 – but Baker said there were a lot of improvements and strides made by each individual.
“I still feel like we had the better serve and backhand,” said Baker. “We need the confidence, we already have the stroke.”
Prior to the match, Baker honored her three co-captains: seniors Lexi Smith, NicciMunroe, and Delaney Hirsch.
“I’m pretty proud of what we accomplished today,” said Smith. “...it’s all a learning experience, especially against Bow.”
The Orioles have been dominant for much of the season thus far, handily defeating every team not from Bow. In their nine victories, they have outscored their opponents 73 sets to four.
“They are the best – it’s good to have competition,” said Aryal. “I think we all played our best. We knew they were going to compete.”
Baker said she was proud that her girls never gave up fighting, as Conant had already lost by the time doubles had rolled around.
“They were all working really hard and digging in to get every point,” said Baker. “They didn’t give up. My girls are not quitters.”
In the last matchup of the day, no. 6 Abigail Wheeler and no. 5 Sarah Smith were down seven games to four at one point, but later battled back to come within one before losing. No. 1 Munroe and No. 2 Lexi Smith also battled hard in their doubles matchup losing seven games to nine.
“We really brought it back in doubles,” said Munroe. “We just tell ourselves one point at a time, you can’t think about the past.”
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com. He is also on Twitter @nhandyMLT.