[local /wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Woodland-Tennis.flv]
BEACON FALLS — Woodland used a sweep of the doubles matches to break a singles stalemate and stay undefeated with a 5-2 win over visiting Watertown Monday afternoon.
No. 1 singles player Stephanie Badale continued her domination of all Naugatuck Valley League opponents not named Dre Moschello, with an 8-0 victory over Alyssa Mucciaro. Since the beginning of last season, Badale is 26-1 against everyone but Holy Cross’ Moschello, but 1-3 versus the two-time defending league champion.
“I double faulted every service game,” Badale said Monday, recalling her 8-4 loss to Moschello April 10. “But I’m sure I’ll see her again in the [NVL] tournament.”
Indeed, the two seem destined for a second straight meeting in the league championship.
Against the Indians, No. 2 player Megan Wester improved her season mark to 5-1 with an 8-4 win against Kelly Lewis, but the bottom half of Woodland’s singles roster struggled. With Lauren Tremaglio, the team’s usual No. 3, away on a family trip, junior Brooke Dragon stepped into that slot and played strongly early, taking a 6-3 lead over Megan Laporta. But Laporta rallied to win the match’s final five games, and Nicole Nelson, typically a doubles player, filled the No. 4 singles role and lost to Gabby Rinaldi, 8-0.
Woodland’s doubles teams made sure the Hawks’ record remained unblemished, at 6-0. The unbeaten pair of Jill Pagoni and Samantha Angeloszek defeated Nicolette Marcal and Kate Wilbur, 8-3, Angela Vallillo and Avery Gartman beat Christina Ercoli and Emily Smith by the same score, and Dayna Chucta and Liz Martin topped Alyssa Mirabelli and Paula Silva, 8-4.
“We’re really happy with the progress so far,” said head coach Mike Magas, lauding his team’s ability to withstand not only Tremaglio’s absence but also a season-ending injury to doubles player Erika Barnett. “… We’ve got some girls that have really stepped up and done well.”
