Windham girls’ tennis team shuts out Sanford

Windham senior Lauren DeLuca focuses on returning the ball
during a girls' prep tennis match against Sanford at Windham
High School on Monday, May 9.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

By Matt Pascarella

In their second shutout victory of the season, the Windham High girls’ tennis team defeated Sanford 5-0 and earned their fifth win of the season to bring their record to a sparkling 5-1 overall.

Earlier this month, Windham shut out Westbrook 5-0 as well.

During this match against Sanford at home on Monday, May 9, Windham had to adjust its playing style mid-match in order to defeat the Spartans.

The Lady Eagles persevered, then adjusted when they were down, as they played a different style of play, to come back and secure the win.

“It was rough at first, off to a slow start, but after I got into it, it went well,” said Windham sophomore Alyssa Conley. “I wasn’t in a very good spot at the beginning. [Later on] I got more aggressive with my shots and took more chances.”

Conley won her matches 6-3 and 6-0 and said her placement was good. She got her opponent to move around the court, which made it more difficult for Sanford. She hopes Windham has a good rest of the season.

Windham’s doubles team of junior Sarah Bell and sophomore Madeline Dumont won their matches, 6-2 and 6-0.

“Things went well,” said Windham girls’ tennis coach Katy Dresnok. “[Windham] started off a little shaky, took a little time to warm up. They are smart players, they take instruction really well, they think about their placement and are enthusiastic along with some natural athletic abilities.”

Windham singles junior Grace Paiement won her matches, 6-2 and 6-2.

Windham’s doubles team of sophomore Samantha Bell and freshman Katelyn Cotter beat their opponents, 7-6 and 6-1.

Windham senior Lauren DeLuca said she thought the match went very well. She was having a bit of a hard time in the beginning, but said it was a mental game. DeLuca had to pull it together and dig deep down to believe she was going to win and in the end, she got by with 6-2 and 6-4 victories.

“I had to take some deep breaths and couldn’t overthink it, because overthinking it is going to make it worse,” DeLuca said.

She took simple shots, placement, with no need to overdo it or try to go overboard. She said her placement and cross-court shots helped her get the win.<