Sisters Lauren Wilmarth ’09 and Tori Wilmarth ’09 defeated their doubles opponent 8 – 2 to contribute to Andover’s underdog win against St. Paul’s. Last Wednesday, the Andover team only had five players on the bus—one fewer than the required number of players for a team. Refusing to forfeit its match, the team fortunately found Varsity-B player Emily Kennedy ’07, who subbed in for the number six position. Despite the loss of four good players, the undefeated Andover team conquered St. Paul’s. Captain Julia Watson ’07 and Eliza Flynn ’10 aced their doubles opponents 8-0. Flynn also had a forceful win during her singles match, dominating 6-0 and 6-0. At number two singles, undefeated Lauren Wilmarth ’09 won her match 6-2 and 6-0. Andover continued to prevail and beat St. Pauls with an impressive 14 – 1 win. Saturday, the girls had an away match against Choate Academy. Eliza Flynn ’10 and Rachel Blake ’08 had a tough but potent win at number two doubles, defeating their opponent 8–4. Tori Wilmarth ’09 and Carolyn Brown ’09 also beat their opponent 8–4, at the number three position. The determined Andover team had only a slight 2–1 lead after the three doubles matches. Flynn ’10 started out strong at number one singles, and was able to win 6–1 and 6–2. Lauren Wilmarth ’09 unfortunately lost at number two singles, but Carolyn Brown ’09 had a convincing victory of 6–3 and 6–1. Tori Wilmarth ’09 had a very close match. Coach Martha Grant comments, “She competed until the last set, eventually losing in a third set tiebreak” (6-4; 3-6; 6-10). Despite Choate’s tough competition, Andover prevailed again with a 5-4 victory, keeping the team’s undefeated record of 6–0. The team is encouraged by its winning season, and is continuing to figure out the strengths and weaknesses of both the team, and its individuals. “We’ve had a really successful season,” Lauren Wilmarth ’09 remarked, “In our past couple of matches the team dynamics have been really strong. The team is works together great and supports one another.” Tori Wilmarth ’09 agrees, “We have a very supportive team with great chemistry, which is one of our strengths.” Andover encounters its two biggest games of the season this weekend. Friday, Andover plays BB&N who it defeated earlier in the season, however, are still anticipating an exciting match. On Saturday, the girls faceoff against its rival team: Exeter. Exeter, as always, has a very strong team, and will provide Andover with a lot of solid competition. To prepare for these two matches, the Andover team has been trying to improve its games during practice. Lauren Wilmarth comments, “Although our team always begins strong, we need to learn how to change our games to adapt to the different teams we play.” Tori Wilmarth concludes, “This team has a lot of talent and also the mental game to handle pressure, although our biggest test thus far will definitely be Exeter this weekend.”
