Hawks make deep run in NVL tennis tourney

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Woodland senior Meg Webster reached the semi-finals of the NVL singles tournament. FILE PHOTO
Several Woodland girls tennis players had a strong end to the 2011 spring season.

Meg Wester, the Hawks’ top seed, reached the semi-finals of the NVL singles tournament, while the double combination of Angela Vallillo and Avery Gartman advanced the conference championship match.

As a team, the Hawks finished NVL play at 9-8 overall and lost in the first round of the Class S state tournament to Litchfield. Liz Martin won a singles match, while Brooke Dragon and Eileen Hurley won in doubles against Litchfield in a 5-2 loss.

Head coach Mike Magas said the team performed well considering it lost three top players last season and played the entire season with the label of defending league champs.

Wester made a run for an NVL crown, and had a successful season against the league’s best players. In addition, Wester had a penchant for coming from behind.

“She had a great ability to fight back when she was down,” Magas said. “Megan had that inner-drive to turn the game around.”

Wester’s most notable wins came against Angela Pecci of Holy Cross, the eventual winner of the NVL singles tournament, and
Miranda Jang, Naugy’s top seed, who led by four games in the match. Wester, the only Woodland player to qualify for the state open, came back to win 9-7.

Lauren Tremaglio, the team’s No.2 seed, almost qualified for the states. Magas commended Tregmaglio on her day-to-day contributions throughout the season.

“She was like our anchor out there,” Magas said of Tremaglio.

Magas was also impressed with Julia Lawton, a freshman, who has all the makings of a future impact player.

“Julia was phenomenal,” Magas said. “She won more matches than she lost, and she was able to pull out matches that helped us win as a team. She’s a star in the making.”

Martin was a duel threat for the Hawks, playing singles and doubles.

“Liz is an athlete and is still learning the game,” Magas said. “She won some big matches and contributed to the well-being of the team.”

On the doubles side, Vallillo and Gartman lost in the finals of the NVL tournament, and it was the second year the duo had advanced to at least the semis.

“They are like Miss Octobers,” Magas said. “They were fairly consistent all year, but they really stepped up their game late in the season.”

Dragon and Hurley teamed up after the season started and finished the season with a 10-5 record.

“The decision to put them together paid off,” Magas said.

Rachel Mariano played with Martin late in the season. Mariano, a freshman, and Lawton have lots of upside.

“They have tremendous futures in front of them,” Magas said.