Hawks advance, Greyhounds fall

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One local team moved on to Wednesday’s Naugatuck Valley League girls tennis tournament semifinals. One team didn’t.

Woodland, the defending league champion, squeaked past Watertown, 4-3, while Naugatuck fell to Wolcott, 6-1, in Tuesday’s team tournament quarterfinals.

The Hawks seemed to right the ship quickly in Watertown after losing their final five matches of the regular season but had to rally in the later matches to overcome a strong Indians squad.

Woodland’s top three singles players—Megan Wester, Lauren Tremaglio, and Liz Martin—all lost to put the pressure on No. 4 Julia Lawton and the doubles teams.

Wester lost to Kelly Lewis, 8-6, while Tremaglio fell to Gabby Rinaldi, 8-2, and Martin was defeated by Alyssa Mucciaro, 8-6.
But Lawton salvaged an important win at No. 4 singles by beating Lindsey Parenteau, 8-4, to keep the Hawks in the match.
Woodland fairly easily swept the doubles matches to complete the comeback and move on to the semifinals.

No. 1 Angela Vallillo-Avery Gartman beat Megan LaPorta-Emily Smith, 8-2, while No. 2 Brooke Dragon-Eileen Hurley defeated Kelly Marcal-Miranda Squillace, 8-0. No. 3 Amanda Olivera-Rachel Mariano clinched the victory by beating Taylor Bugryn-Elizabeth Mendes, 8-5.

In Wolcott, Naugatuck couldn’t keep up with the Eagles, earning just one victory on the day.

No. 2 Kaitlin Carter beat Christina Santos, 8-6, to earn the lone victory for the ‘Hounds. No. 1 Miranda Jang fell to Jessica McHugh, 8-2, while No. 3 Katie Bottinick lost to Mackenzie Miller, 8-6, and No. 4 Andrea Jiminez was defeated by Natalie Pagano, 8-6.

The doubles matches were also swept by Wolcott. No. 1 Alexa Ramos-Jess Buckley fell to Pam McWaid-Tayler Mazurski, 8-4, while No. 2 Lani Chucta-Megan Wilson lost to Cara Nelson-Alaysia Trotman, 8-1, and No. 3 Abigail Janneke-Kristen Cuzzi fell to India Trotman-Alexa Harrison, 8-2.

Woodland was set to continue its attempt to defend the NVL championship on Wednesday afternoon, after press time, against Wolcott in the semifinals in Beacon Falls. The winner was scheduled to face either St. Paul or Seymour in the finals on Wednesday afternoon.

Naugatuck will compete in the Class L team state tournament while Woodland will compete in the Class S team state tournament. Both tourneys start Tuesday.