GIRLS TENNIS: Molly Petrilla at first singles claimed the Rams’ only points of the week in 4-1 losses to Steinert and Hopewell Valley.
By: Neil Hay
Molly Petrilla accounted for her side’s only points last week as the Hightstown girls tennis team lost its first two matches of the season by the same 1-4 score.
On Thursday Petrilla, playing first singles, defeated Laura Giuliari 6-2 ,6-2 as the Rams were defeated by Steinert at Veterans Park. The next day, against visiting Hopewell Valley, Petrilla outplayed Linzy Drewry 6-3, 6-1.
"Molly had two big wins," said coach Al Lozier. "She played very well. She beat two players projected to be stronger than her. She is off to a good start. I am pleased. But our inexperience showed at the other flights."
In other results against Steinert, Megan Morrill at second singles lost to Meg Tyson 0-6, 1-6, and number three Keren Levine bowed 1-6, 6-7 (2-7 tiebreaker) to Stephanie Yu. Also, in doubles play, Hightstown’s number one of Linda Magee and Jessica Lewis lost 3-6, 2-6 to Arpna Patel and Jennifer Hicks, and number two Mindy Rosso and Heather Hummel were defeated 4-6, 6-7 (3-7) by Lily Chandrasehker and Melinda Raynor.
In the Hopewell match Morrill lost 0-6, 1-6 to Danielle Morse, Levine was stopped 2-6, 1-6 by Katie Deutsch, Magee and Lewis fell 4-6, 3-6 to Sissy Qyang and Jessica Ofner, and Rosso and Hummel were tripped 1-6, 0-6 by Ashley Burrell and Kristy Cramp.
"Megan got off to a slow start," said Lozier of his number two singles player. "She was subpar. Levine is making progress at third singles. She was competitive against more experienced players.
"Magee and Lewis were stronger against Hopewell Valley than Steinert. Rosso and Hummel hung in there. I’m pleased with the fight they’ve shown."
Levine was the day’s bright spot in Wednesday’s 0-5 loss at Princeton, a match that dropped Hightstown to 0-3 on the season.
"Levine played her best match of the year at third singles," said Lozier afterwards. "For a rookie at third singles she showed some confidence. I can look forward to continued improvement from her."
Levine extended Cheryl Lau to three sets, two determined by a tiebreaker, before losing 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (7-9).
"Lau is a much more experienced player than Keren. She pushed Lau to the limit. When Keren left the court she was exhausted. Keren will have to get in better physical shape. But her match was a positive," said Lozier.
The rest of the match was all Princeton. At first singles Petrilla lost for the first time this season, falling 1-6, 2-6 to Alicia Ling, a player about equal in ability to Petrilla’s first two opponents.
"Molly was not as sharp. She did not have her ‘A’ game. She was guilty of too many unforced errors."
Of Morrill’s 0-6, 0-6 loss to Claire Mulvey, Lozier said, "She is struggling with her game at the moment. We’ll need to do some work on her strokes. She is not hitting the ball with the pace she is capable of."
In doubles play Magee and Lewis lost 2-6, 0-6 to Laura Pine and Joyce Driscoll, and Rosso and Hummel were defeated 2-6, 1-6 by Garima Bahtt and Nina Dauspeckgarber.
"The doubles teams are making progress. They are playing with more confidence, even if the scores don’t indicate it."
With matches against Allentown and Hamilton approaching, Lozier is hoping his squad can break into the win column soon.
"I expect to see some growth in the next three matches. They are working hard."

