Perfect start for Greyhounds

0
71

NAUGATUCK — The Greyhounds are off to a perfect start to the season and have passed several stiff tests along the way.

Naugatuck’s 9-0 start includes a pair of 4-3 wins over Watertown and another 4-3 victory against Wolcott.

“We are doing OK,” Naugatuck head coach Jose Sendra said. “Wolcott was a tough match and Watertown has won four of the last six NVLs. So we have been playing well.”

The Greyhounds began the week on Monday with their second win over Watertown this season. Gina Greco and Kelly Redmond earned 8-3 wins in singles play.

The Greyhounds secured the match with the doubles teams of Brielle Behuniak and Hailey Russell winning 8-3 and Catarina Rego and Amaya Jackson taking an 8-6 decision.

Naugy continued its winning ways with a 7-0 sweep of Crosby on Tuesday.

The Greyhounds were tested last Wednesday but pulled out a 4-3 win over Wolcott, before making quick work of Seymour in a 6-1 win last Friday.

Kelly Carr (8-2), Patricia Escaleira (8-4) and Redmond (8-3) set the tone in the win over Wolcott by winning singles matches. Behuniak and Russell won their doubles match, 8-2, the secure the victory.

Sendra said the team is getting balanced play.

“Usually we have relied on our doubles in the past,” Sendra said. “But this year it seems like we have a balance getting two out of the singles and two out of the doubles.”

“We’ve had a couple of our sophomores step up to be assets,” Sendra added. “Brielle and Hailey have really come on and helped us to where we are. This is their first year competing and they are on a tear.”

It was a total team effort in the win over Seymour. Carr (8-3), Escaleira (8-4) and Redmond (8-0) again set the tone giving the Greyhounds a 3-1 advantage going into the doubles.

Naugy swept the doubles matches with the teams of Behuniak and Russell (8-1), Sabrah Cegielski and Catarina Rego (8-3), and Christina Rego and Adrianna Moreno (8-4) picking up wins.

“We are getting strong play from Gina Greco and Kelly Redmond in our singles foursome,” Sendra said. “In doubles, Catarina Rego and Cegielski are a solid team, and Catarina never played tennis before.”

Although the team has started 9-0, Sendra knows there are more tests that lie ahead.

“We are hoping to peak at the right time,” Sendra said. “There is a lot of competition at the top of the league between Wolcott, Watertown, St. Paul, Sacred Heart, and you can never count out Woodland.”

The Greyhounds will play Wilby on Thursday. Next week, Naugatuck will head to Woodland on Tuesday.