Naugy at full strength

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Naugatuck’s Floraine Evardo returns a shot versus Watertown April 27 in Naugatuck. Watertown won the match, 6-1. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Floraine Evardo returns a shot versus Watertown April 27 in Naugatuck. Watertown won the match, 6-1. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck girls tennis spent a couple of weeks trying to put all the pieces together while the team was not at full strength. Along the way, several players became battle-tested and the Greyhounds head into the stretch run of the season back in full swing.

“We had several prominent players out of the lineup,” Naugatuck head coach Jose Sendra said. “That allowed us to expand our lineup and get some kids experience. In the long run that will help us to be a more complete team heading into the postseason.

“Floraine (Evardo), Ally (Mezzo) and Kelly (Murphy) have been out due to vacations and field trips. Now they are back and it couldn’t come at a better time.”

Naugatuck picked up wins over Torrington, 5-2, and Kennedy, 6-1, recently.

Kelly Carr was tested picking up an 8-6 win over Torrington and an 8-5 win over Kennedy. Diana Velasco earned 8-4 wins over Torrington and Kennedy to help the Greyhounds establish its singles portion of the lineup.

Evardo was back in the singles lineup in as Naugatuck dropped a 6-1 decision to defending NVL champion Watertown April 27.

The doubles tandem of Nicole Bolduc and Gina Greco got the only victory for Naugatuck (8-2) against the Indians with an 8-3 victory. The Bolduc-Greco team has been the strength of the Greyhounds’ double teams.

Naugatuck’s Kelly Carr returns a shot versus Watertown April 27 in Naugatuck. Watertown won the match, 6-1. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Naugatuck’s Kelly Carr returns a shot versus Watertown April 27 in Naugatuck. Watertown won the match, 6-1. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

As Naugatuck heads into the homestretch of the season the singles foursome will be Sarah Cook at No. 1, Carr at No. 2, Evardo at No. 3 and Velasco at No. 4.

Murphy moves to doubles teaming up with Mezzo. The team of Lori Dietz and Patricia Escaleira will serve as No. 2 with Bolduc and Greco at No. 3 doubles.

“Kelly Redmond did a great job for us when we were shorthanded and will serve as our insurance filling in at singles or doubles,” Sendra said. “Saumya Shah and Sabrah Cegielski also did a good job and will give is some depth down the stretch.

“We have a tough week coming up and it comes down to hitting our peak when it matters the most.”

Naugatuck is scheduled to play Wolcott on Wednesday and Sacred Heart on Thursday. The Greyhounds will finish out a busy week on Friday at Torrington.