Carolyn Brown ’09 came within one point of victory against Deerfield Academy on Saturday, but failed to nail down the final game. She ultimately lost in a hard-fought, five-game match that characterized her team’s 5-2 loss. On Wednesday, Groton trounced Andover 7-0 on the road. Captain Ali Zindman ’07 started Saturday’s match on a high note as number one, cruising to a dominant three game victory. Executing her shots with authority, she allowed only two points in her 9-1, 9-1, 9-0 win. Diana Willson ’07 was less successful at the second position. Her match was also decided in straight games, but her Deerfield opponent came out on top 9-6, 9-2, 9-0. Pawina Jiramongkolchai ’06 was equally overmatched at number three and lost 9-0, 9-1, 9-0. Contrasting with these clear-cut upper lineup outcomes, the bottom four matches were highly competitive. The matches hinged on narrow Deerfield victories, and its win was by no means consummate. “Despite the score, the match could have gone either way. We played well and everyone gave a strong effort,” said Captain Zindman. Stephanie Marton ’07, playing at number seven, pulled out a four game win. Recently having moved down the ladder from number six, she faced a somewhat weaker opponent than she might have been used to. This, however, is not to simplify her effort, which pulled her through the tight contest. This win leveled the score at two, leaving positions four through six to determine the outcome. Lucretia Witte ’06 was in an opposite situation to that of Marton, having just moved up to number six. Usually able to overpower opponents at number seven, Witte encountered a challenge at the higher spot. She got off to a slow start, losing the first two games 9-5 and 9-4. But she made a fierce comeback and evened the match with two consecutive 9-1 victories. Her opponent persisted, however, and Witte lost 10-8 in the fifth game. At number five, Lydia Smith ’09 started strong. She battled her way through the first two games but lost them both 10-8. Perhaps worn out, she went down 9-2 in the third and took the 3-0 loss. At the fourth position, Brown had the closest match of the day. She won the first game 9-5, but her resilient opponent countered with a 10-9 win in the second and a 10-8 win in the third. Down 2-1, Brown shifted the momentum and grabbed the fourth game 9-7. The fifth game again went deep. At 9-9, Brown had the winning shot on her racquet but barely missed. Her opponent assumed the serve and went on to win 10-9. “The match [against Deerfield] ended up being decided by one inch and a few points,” said Coach Tom Hodgson. Andover’s fortune did not improve Wednesday in its visit to powerhouse Groton. Andover lost 7-0 and was swept 3-0 at every position. The Groton squad was seasoned and talented throughout its lineup and took advantage of Andover’s relative inexperience. Zindman and Brown had the most competitive matches, playing numbers one and four respectively. Though losing in three games, both took their opponents to 10-8 in individual games. Girls Squash prepares to face Brooks, Middlesex and rival Exeter this coming week. Then the season will close with the interscholastic championships.
