NORWICH – Youngsters Natalie Benenati and Riley Marsh helped finish of the visiting Vestal Golden Bears on Wednesday, handing the visitors a 4-3 loss.
“First doubles team of Natalie Benenati and Riley Marsh, came back from a first set loss to win the fourth point and give Norwich a 4-3 victory over Vestal. They were a bit nervous in the first set, we made a couple adjustments, and they settled in and played set two and three really well winning 6-2 and 6-4,” said Norwich head coach John Stewart. “They came back really strong after that first set and they never let up. It was so much fun watching these two play, just a great win for them both.”
As coach Stewart said, Benenati and Marsh earned the fourth and final point for Norwich when they defeated Eeshah Ahmed and Shreya Nippani of Vestal. After falling to Vestal at 3-6, the Norwich duo ripped their way to a 6-2 and 6-4 win.
Continuing with the trend of solid doubles play from Norwich, Katie Gawronski and Parker Walsh earned a two-set win over Alexa Slyman and Aina Carty at 6-3 and 6-2.
“Our second doubles team of Katie and Parker had another solid performance wining in solid fashion 6-3 and 6-2 to take the third point,” said coach Stewart.
Taking the second point of the match for Norwich was Olivia Granquist, who snagged a win at third singles.
“Getting Norwich’s second point was Olivia Granquist. Olivia has come alive the last two matches playing good mistake free tennis. She has really started playing to her potential,” said coach Stewart.
Norwich took losses at first singles, fourth singles and third doubles. At fourth singles, Ava Granquist fell at 6-2 and 6-0 to Elizabeth Hartley. At fourth doubles, the Tornado duo of Erica Gage and Logan Fredenburg fell to Vestal’s team of Catherine Hampp and Priya Kaneria at 6-3 and 6-2.
“I have to give our third doubles some credit after not playing well yesterday. They came and played a much better match today and it is reflected in the score,” said coach Stewart. “They are first year players getting better every match.”
At second singles, senior Megan Burke went to battle with a familiar foe – Anika Mott.
Megan Burke, at second singles, played a solid match beating the Vestal girl who beat her last year in the semis of last year’s doubles sectional’s,” said coach Stewart. “Megan beat a good player today and played well from all positions of the court. Her playing singles this year is making her a much stronger player.”
However, perhaps the most influential matchup moving forward was one that Norwich ultimately lost – first singles.
Carolina Stewart and Angelique DeRouen – second and first in Section IV Tennis rankings, respectively – faced off in a Class B showdown. Stewart of Norwich fell to DeRouen in two sets at 6-4 and 6-1.
“In the battle of top players, Norwich’s Caroline (Stewart) lost to Angelique in two sets. She played a great first set. With the score tied 4-4 in the first set, we lost the deuce point went down 5-4 and Caroline never really recovered losing the second set at 6-1,” said coach Stewart. “We win that point and it’s a different look from the other side. Angelique seemed to get energized, it had an opposite effect for us.”
Norwich tennis (6-1 overall), will be right back on the courts with another matchup – when they take to the road to head to Susquehanna Valley on Thursday, September 22, at 4 p.m.
“We lost four out of our top six kids last year and we are sitting at 6-1 for the season. That is a great win for Norwich tennis tonight,” said coach Stewart of defeating powerhouse Vestal.