By LUCIA QUESADA NYLEN and KAYLA BRAMANTE
Now that the season has ended , the Malden High School’s girls tennis team has definitely made an impact with a record of 10 wins to 3 losses. With help from coach and statistics teacher Marie Diaz and assistant coach and guidance counselor Susan Lessard, and seniors captains Lisa DeLacey and Blue and Gold member Natalie Fallano, both the varsity and junior varsity teams have definitely improved since the beginning of the season. DeLacey commented on the overall season by expressing that “with each practice and match, every player gains more confidence and experience,” which helps the team grow.
After a victory against Boston Latin School where the team played at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge, Fallano and DeLacey, along with junior Christine Le, all qualified for the Individual State Tournament. DeLacey was able to win in her first ever tie break.
Fallano and DeLacey competed in the Individual State Tournament, which was held on May 11, 2013 with an outstanding outcome from their matches. DeLacey won in a tie break against a Medfield player. Reflecting on the game, DeLacey stated that “advancing [during the match] was an indication that [she] can compete with those top in [the] state. [She’s] determined to push [her]self as hard as humanly possible to get the most out of [her] last high school tennis season.” Other team members also reflected on highlights throughout the season, not only from a team perspective, but also on a more personal note, as Le expressed that “[competing in the] Individual State Tournament was [her] most memorable moment of [her] season and it was a great opportunity and lots of fun to see tennis players from all over the state.”
The seniors have had a great impact on the team this past season, and although the team consists of mainly sophomores and juniors, they will still be affected by the loss of two graduating senior players. DeLacey hopes to end the season by trying to “continue advancing in the Individual State Tournament and to qualify in the Team State Tournament.” Although the seniors will be greatly missed, the team has “a lot of potential for next year” and can work off of what was taught this season from both coaches and fellow teammates as Le explains that although “it won’t be the same without [the seniors] next season, [the team] has learned a lot from them and wish them good luck in the future.”
Hoping to end the season with yet another Greater Boston League title, the team had various games and plenty of time to bring home some more wins. During the week of May 13, the team won all four matches Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, against Everett and Cambridge Rindge and Latin.
Both captains Fallano and DeLacey, along with Le moved onto states Saturday June 1, 2013, in Marblehead, MA. They lost in the first round against Marblehead.
