Colonels crush Cosmos

The Springfield Cosmos got blasted into outer space in their matchup against the Brattleboro girls tennis team on Wednesday.

http://www.reformer.com/ci_18046457

Colonels crush Cosmos
By DOMENIC POLI / Reformer Staff
Posted: 05/12/2011 03:00:00 AM EDT

Thursday May 12, 2011

BRATTLEBORO -- The Springfield Cosmos got blasted into outer space in their matchup against the Brattleboro girls tennis team on Wednesday.

The Colonels defeated the visitors, 7-0, on their home courts for their second-straight win. The victory gives BUHS a 2-4 record heading into their home match against Otter Valley on Friday.

Brattleboro coach Tom Weber said he is happy to get two in a row, especially after playing some of the league’s toughest teams in the first four matchups.

"Springfield is basically loaded with freshmen, so they’re very inexperienced. With the scores, you can see our girls played well enough," he said. "It’s nice to get another win after being 0-4 at one point."

Caroline DiNicola-Fawley made quick work of Springfield’s Erin Chlebak, besting her opponent, 6-0, 6-0.

"I think they’re really good for freshmen," the junior said about the Cosmos. "We started out (the season) kind of rough because we played some of the better teams ... But I think our team did well against them."

Lauren Mabie downed Daniella Burke, 6-1, 6-1, in their first singles match. Usually playing in second singles, the senior switched spots with DiNicola-Fawley against Springfield.

"She always just competes and she’s tough to beat," Weber said. "(Caroline) and Lauren are both very even, so today I flip-flopped them ... just to give them a different look and a change."

Junior Hayley Ryan beat Kylie Bellows in third singles, 6-1, 6-0, and junior Miranda Mosely defeated Kate McGrotty, 6-0, 6-1, in fourth singles. Springfield forfeited the fifth singles match to BUHS.

"The scores show that they weren’t pushed too hard," Weber said. "I’m just pleased with everybody’s play."

Weber was especially excited about his doubles teams. Libby Annis and Carly Emond triumphed over Jaymee Jones and Kiana Nelson, 6-1, 6-4, and Katie Tsukamoto and Aiden Earley beat Kelsie Howard and Victoria Ruzzo, 6-2, 6-2.

"(They’re) starting to come around," the coach mentioned. "Our doubles players are probably our least experienced players. Today we had three freshmen (Tsukamoto, Earley and Annis) playing doubles, so they’re learning the game and every day you can see an improvement in the doubles teams.

"We have 25 players on the team and the doubles teams flip-flop around," he continued, "but these four doubles players are sort of looking like they mat step up and lead the doubles teams."

The Colonels’ match against the Otters is set to start at 4:30 p.m.

Weber said his girls have played well their previous two matches, but that things can always get better.

"As a tennis player, there’s always something to improve on. All the kids can improve as well as the coaches," he said. "We’re a good team and we’ll give some teams a hard time."