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By Stephen Press
Hometown Weekly Staff
The Needham girls tennis team made a valiant playoff run over the weekend, winning their preliminary round on Friday before dropping a difficult road match in Barnstable to end their season on Sunday.
Despite the team's seniors having prom the night before, the Rockets were able to take care of business at home against Natick. In the 4-1 victory - an improvement over the 3-2 mark they'd won by only a month earlier - the seniors maintained impressive focus despite their tired legs.
"I chalk that up to their experience and desire to compete," remarked Coach Christian Leger. "I think our mantra was to stay relaxed, but focused. We have done a fair amount of work on the mental aspect of the game and staying relaxed and in the moment - never dwelling on a bad shot or a tough game but playing one point at a time."
Leger's work on his team's mental toughness seemed to pay dividends as first singles Julia Doroshenko (Sr.) rallied to come back in her second set for a 6-1, 7-5 victory.
Meanwhile, first doubles (and senior co-captains) Caroline Sumner and Kaitlyn Lew owned their match, taking their Natick opponents in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
Coach Leger also noted freshman Ali Resnick's strong performance at third singles. "She has the ability to play her aggressive style against everyone," he said, "regardless of the scenario or opponent."
The Rockets' strong victory filled the Needham girls with aspirations of a deep tournament run. Those hopes were dashed, however, with a difficult 5-0 Sunday loss in Barnstable.
"Barnstable was a really well balanced team from first singles to second doubles with no soft spot to highlight," said Coach Leger. "On another day, we could have won a match or perhaps two. They are very tough and I think they will give undefeated Wellesley a really great match if they meet in the semis."
The fifth-seeded Red Raiders have yet to lose at home on the season. The Rockets, meanwhile, will be hoping to repeat their tournament bid in 2017, led by a new crop of seniors.
