WHS varsity girls’ tennis falls in indoor match against Cheverus

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham varsity girls’ tennis team left it all on the court during an indoor match at Foreside Fitness in Falmouth on Friday, May 23, but fell to Cheverus High School, 4-1.

Windham sophomore  Denali Momot focuses on the ball 
before returning a serve during a girls' prep tennis match
against Cheverus on May 23.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“Our match went really good,” said Windham senior and doubles player Afomiya Timerga. “Our placement was the best part of playing; we kept hitting it down the alleys, so it was just picking up our feet and hitting it right where it needs to be. Playing with Callie was really good; our communication was really good. Whenever I called a switch or she called a switch, our dynamic was really good. I’m glad I was able to play with her today. You don’t have to hit strong balls as long as where you place it is good. Getting to the ball and our mindset on the game (needs work). Tennis is a lot of mindset and focusing; I think that just needs a little bit more work.”

In the singles matches, Windham junior Jasmine Lucas lost her match, 6-0 and 6-0; senior Katelyn Cotter lost 6-2, 6-1, sophomore Denali Momot lost 6-3 and 6-2.

“Today was not my best match,” said Momot. “I think I played well, but the score says something else. My opponent had really good skills, nice hits and I’m proud of how I played. Mentally I stayed positive and that’s a big part of singles tennis, you’re the only one on the court ... and I was just telling myself to stay with it. Placement (needs work) because sometimes I hit right to my opponent, and it gives them an advantage.”

In the doubles matches, senior Zoe Dries, and junior Sydney Harmon lost their match 6-4 and 6-2. Timerga and senior Callie Barber won their match, 6-1 and 6-3.

Windham had had several matches during the week, so it was impressive to see them give such a strong effort, even if the result wasn’t what they hoped for.

“It’s been a really busy week,” said Windham girls’ tennis coach Katy Dresnok. “The weather hasn’t helped, we haven’t had many practices, but it’s the same all around. The girls played really well today for the competition; I’m really pleased with every single match I watched. I’m super happy for my second doubles who won, Callie has been swinging junior varsity to varsity, and she’s a senior just graduating, so it’s great to see her finish the season with a win. I thought my singles players ... had super long matches, lots went to deuce. They really got some good practice in with hard heavy hitters, and in front of my eyes I watched them improve. I’m happy with the results even though it was a loss; I’m leaving the court today really proud of my girls.” <

WHS girls’ tennis win streak continues after sweeping Biddeford

By Matt Pascarella

Windham girls’ tennis went into a home match against Biddeford after winning two matches in a row and they made it three straight by defeating the Tigers 5-0 at Windham High School on Monday, May 5.

Windham senior Afomiya Timerga returns a shot by her
Biddeford opponent during a girls' prep tennis match on
Monday, May 2 at Windham High School.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“The team is off to a great start,” said Windham girls’ tennis coach Katy Dresnok. “Our team is growing and rising up to more challenging matches. My goals for the doubles is to really work with strategy and to encourage proper placement and communication among the partners and really, really focus on placement over power. With my singles we’ve been working really hard on serving and recovering, and foot work; if they can get the fundamentals down, they seem to improve at a much faster speed. Tennis is a very mental game, so if the player can stay calm and just take it one point at a time, with a good strong mindset that’s going to overpower anything. Today wasn’t our normal ladder ... today was a really great win considering people played in different positions, showing team versatility.”

In the singles matches, Windham junior Jasmine Lucas won her sets 6-4 and 6-2; sophomore Denali Momot won her sets 6-2 and 6-0 and senior Afomiya Timerga won her matches, 6-4 and 6-2.

“At first the wind wasn’t great, but as I got into it, it was a good match,” said Lucas. “I think my ground strokes were pretty strong, my serve wasn’t as consistent as I’d like it to be, but towards the end it got good. I’ve definitely gotten more consistent, this is my first year being first singles, so that was kind of intimidating at first, but now I’m in a good rhythm.”

Lucas enjoys being in the first singles position for WHS and says it makes her play harder.

In the doubles matches, Windham senior Zoe Dries, and junior Sydney Harmon won 6-2 and 6-1. Junior Ellise Gallop and Grace Hansen won 6-1 and 6-1.

“We did pretty good,” said Dries. “We tried to play our game most of the time, we pulled through, we won; we were really good on net both of us; we had some really good long balls.”

Dries said that she feels communication needs improvement and making good solid contact on the ball, not wonky hits.

Harmon and Dries said they understand each other’s play a lot better, they know where each other’s going to be.

“Our serves were pretty good and consistent throughout the whole game and kind of reading where they were,” said Harmon. “If they were on one side making sure we go to the other side and finishing the point. Definitely the newer players have gotten more experience, and rallies have been longer from three or four weeks ago. Consistency with placement is a whole lot better and stronger now.” <

Windham varsity volleyball ends season with win over Massabesic

By Matt Pascarella

It was senior night on Monday, Oct. 16 and before the start of Windham’s varsity volleyball match, seniors Rachelle Cloutier, Madeline Dumont, Lilly McLean and Savannah Heanssler were all presented with a small gift to thank them and their parents for their years of dedication to Windham sports. Windham’s varsity volleyball team then capped off the event by beating Massabesic, 3-0, after rallying in the third set to seal their win and end the regular season showing how strong a team they are.

Windham senior Madeline Dumont hit the ball over the net
during a varsity volleyball match against Massabesic at
Windham High School on Monday, Oct. 16.
PHOTO By MATT PASCARELLA  

“That third [set] was a comeback,” said Windham varsity volleyball coach Chuck Fleck. “I would say determination and focus led to the win. “There was a good chemistry on the court; a good way to end the season.”

Windham scored a couple points right away in the first set; they soon had a 5-1 lead over the Mustangs. Libero Heanssler’s serving earned several points to widen their lead. Windham had great teamwork and kept up their momentum as they pulled away from Massabesic. Windham was smart with the ball and made it hard for Massabesic to return serves. In a short time, Windham was up by 10 points. While Massabesic caught up a little, Windham couldn’t be stopped and took this set 25-17. Windham sophomore Sydney Harmon had four kills; an offensive attack unreturnable by the opponent.

That momentum for the Lady Eagles did not lessen for the remainder of the match. They scored immediately in the second set. There were excellent volleys and soon the game was tied at nine. Massabesic was only two points away from a tied set. Windham wasn’t about to let that happen and began to pull ahead. Sophomore Jezabelle Pinto had three kills. Windham won this set, 25-16.

“It was a lot,” said Heanssler. “We worked as a team and pulled it together – I didn’t want this season to end. It shows how much our team has grown throughout the season and we’ve come together. Our communication and really just trusting each other [went well]; end on a good note and do it for the team.”

The third set really showcased the skill Windham has. Massabesic jumped to a 5-0 lead. The Mustangs pulled away while Windham only had a couple points on the scoreboard. Windham did not get down on each other or stop persevering and began to mount a comeback. The cheers from the crowd echoed throughout the gymnasium as Windham turned the tables and was only down by three. Heanssler tied the game at 18. Windham soon took a 23-19 lead. With Windham sophomore Lauren Neal serving, it was quickly match point for the Lady Eagles. After a few tense moments, with Windham working hard to earn the win, this set was theirs, 25-19.

“It was definitely a difficult [third] set and we’ve always struggled with mental toughness, but ... we were really able to push through, and it was really awesome to watch it all come together,” said Neal. “We have a system of coming together and talking about what we can change, what we can do differently and just executing it and I think that’s really awesome. Knowing you have the support of your teammates, your coaches and everyone in the student section is just amazing. Communication and coverage have really improved over the course of the season.”

Overall, McLean scored eight points throughout the match, Harmon had 5.5, Pinto and Heannsler each had 4. <

Windham varsity volleyball earns first win of season over Noble

By Matt Pascarella

The Windham High varsity volleyball team earned its first win of the season at home when they swept Noble 3-0 on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Windham sophomore Rowan Cummings serves the ball and
scores the final point needed for Windham's first varsity
volleyball win of the season on Wednesday, Sept. 13 during
a home match against Noble.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA

“It felt exciting to get the first win,” said Windham varsity senior Lilly McLean. “It definitely was a really positive environment tonight. It was nice to see. We showed how much we wanted it.”

McLean said that communication and positive feedback were exceptional on the court against Noble and every Windham player was very supportive of one another.

Varsity volleyball matches are determined by best-of-three sets with each set going to 25 points. In the first set, Noble took a small lead early on. However, once Windham was on the scoreboard, it did not take them long to tie the game and then take the lead. Windham sophomore Sydney Harmon’s serving, coupled with Windham’s teamwork and smart playing abilities added several points to the scoreboard in the first set. At one point Windham had a 10-point lead and went on to take the first set, 25-11.

The gym was electric and roared with cheers every time the Lady Eagles scored, which was frequently.

In the second set, Noble jumped out to an early lead. This was short-lived again as Windham’s strong communication helped them score. A hit from sophomore Oakley McLeod and Windham was back in charge. In no time, the team was just two points off the lead. This close set was tied at 15, but Windham edged out ahead and took this set, 25-22.

“As a team I think we managed to cover the ball a bit better,” said Harmon. “We have been working super hard and have been very diligent about how we practice that.”

Harmon said Windham set up their hitters more frequently and to make sure it wasn’t just for power. Harmon said they got this win because they stayed positive, and they focused more on how to fix mistakes during play.

Set three began with Noble taking the lead, but Windham soon tied the game. The Lady Eagles remained intense and had solid volleys and attacks. This was another close set. Sophomore Lauren Neal served up a handful of points for Windham. Noble was not far behind. It was Windham sophomore Rowan Cummings who got the winning point and the Lady Eagles took this set, 25-20.

Cummings said although she may have scored the winning point, this was really a team win. She said Windham took the time in practice to go over what they needed to work on and they brought those skills to this game. Windham was a cohesive team, and everyone brought the energy needed.

“All year we’ve had really good energy and I think today is just the culmination of it,” said Windham varsity volleyball coach Chuck Fleck. “Once it clicked, they rolled right through. We’re executing well – our offense is starting to click, our defense is covering well, serves were phenomenal; so now everything is starting to fit into place.” <