The Andover Girls Tennis squad pummeled Andover High School last Friday in an all-doubles match in preparation for next week’s New England tournament. The team was slated to square off against archrival Phillips Exeter Academy Wednesday, bu the match was cancelled due to rain. Fay Feghali ’12 teamed up with Katherine Lee ’13 in the number one doubles position, fighting to come from behind for a win in a tiebreaker. “I think Katherine and I were expecting an easier match, and we let our guard down a little bit, but luckily we pulled through and got the win,” said Feghali. The duo won the tie-breaker 7-5 for a final set score of 8-7. Lee and Feghali stayed mentally tough through their opponents’ multiple match points. “Match points can be really scary, especially in a tiebreaker, so we had to have confidence in each other to pull ourselves through,” said Lee. Midori Ishizuka ’11 and Mackenzie Strabla ’13 also fought back in a tiebreaker in the last doubles position. Ishizuka said that she was impressed by her opponents’ sportsmanlike conduct on the court. “They were probably the most gracious players I’ve ever met; they would say ‘nice shot’ after every well-played point, and were just very friendly,” said Ishizuka. Looking toward the tournament, number two singles player Feghali hopes to focus on the mental aspect of the game. “I’m personally going to try and be more patient. As a singles player, it’s important to wait for the right opportunity and go for the win, and I know I need to work on that.” With strength all throughout the ladder, the team aims for a championship finish in the upcoming New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) tournament. After playing together all season, Elizabeth Kelly ’11 will team up with Co-Captain Stacia Vladimirova ’11 in the first doubles position. With a proven record of persistence and success this season, Borkeny Sambou ’12 and MJ Engel ’13 will take the second doubles position. Lee will start the tournament in the first singles position. She said, “It’s a little bit daunting playing in the first position, but I’m honored.” After finishing as the runner-up last year in the tournament, Andover Tennis will take the court with added determination this year.
