Hopewell improves to 11-5 with Ewing win

Girls TennisThe Hopewell Valley Central High School girls tennis team continued its stellar season when the Lady Bulldogs defeated Ewing, 5-0, on Monday.

By: Nick Schaefer
   The Lady Bulldogs (11-5) overwhelmed Ewing in every facet of the game. Hopewell lost a total of six games, compared to winning 60.
   Although Ewing only won two out of its fifteen matches, the Lady Bulldogs remained focused, according to head coach Maria Gonzalez.
   "I don’t think the girls take anything for granted," said Gonzalez. "Yes, we have a better record than Ewing, but anyone has the ability to win on any given day.
   "Right from the start we played well," added Gonzalez. "Every single player played hard and didn’t give in on any point."
   Sophomore Lindsey Drewry, Freshman Danielle Morse and senior Katie Deusch all were victorious in singles competition.
   Drewry won 6-1, 6-1 in first singles, while Morse won easily in second singles 6-0, 6-0. Deusch won 6-0, 6-2 in third singles.
   "Lindsey, Danielle and Katie played great," said Gonzalez. "They have played well all year and this was just a continuation of their great play this season."
   The Lady Bulldogs dominated in doubles as well, winning in straight sets in both matches. Juniors Ashley Burrell and Christy Cramp won 6-1, 6-1 in first doubles and freshman Amsi Shah and sophomore Cissy Ouyang won 6-0, 6-0 in second singles.
   Gonzalez said the team has stepped up their play as the season has progressed.
   "We have improved a lot since the season began," said Gonzalez. "Of course, there has been some disappointments, but overall it has been a good season. We have had some big wins this season."
   The score of a contest and wins and losses are not always the most important issue to Gonzalez.
   "Winning is important but it is not the only thing," said Gonzalez. "The girls go out and play extremely hard and that is all that I can really ask from them."
   Hopewell will try and sweep the season series against Princeton when the face the Tigers on Friday.
   The Lady Bulldogs were able to squeeze out a 4-1 victory over the Tigers earlier this month.
   "We won, 4-1, but it could have easily have been closer," Gonzalez said. "Two of the matches went three sets and it could have been anybody’s game."
   The Lady Bulldogs will wrap up their season on Saturday when they face Allentown.
   "We have two matches to go and we want to go out with two wins," said Gonzalez. "More importantly, we want to play our best.
   "I am really proud of the way the girls have played and handled themselves this season."