Lady Hounds break through for first win

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NAUGATUCK — After a string of close losses to begin the season, the Greyhounds won their first match of the season on Monday. The Naugatuck girls swept Sacred Heart, 7-0, and improved to 1-5.

Don’t be fooled by Naugy’s poor record. The Greyhounds’ mark could be a lot different—four of the team’s five losses have been by a difference of one match.

Either way, Monday’s win was a step in a positive direction for the Hounds. The idea is to keep improving.

“We have to build on this win and take it to the next day, and the day after that,” first-year Naugy head coach Jose Sendra said.

Despite the slow start as a team, Sendra has said most individual matches have been competitive. While the team has shown toughness, the girls didn’t have anything in the win column to show for it—now they do.

No. 1-seed Miranda Jang, a team captain, led the way with a victory on Monday and has done well, posting a .500 record against other teams’ top players. Junior Kaitlyn Carter, the team’s No. 2 seed, also won on Monday.

In doubles action, Alexa Ramos and Jess Buckley, along with Megan Wilson and Lani Chucta, won matches for the Greyhounds. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the season thus far has been the record of the team’s No. 3 doubles team Kristin Cuzzi and Abigail
Janneke—the duo won three of its first four matches.

Sendra said the goal at the moment is to get back to .500. The coach has no doubt that his players have the right frame of mind to produce more positive results.

“If the girls keep improving and their attitudes stay where they are, we’re going to be OK,” Sendra said.

Despite the slow start, the team’s approach has been good. The team doesn’t get too high or too low.

“They’re very intelligent and level-headed,” Sendra said.

With the first win under their belt, the Greyhounds will look to keep the momentum going. Naugy was set to host Wilby on today before traveling to Holy Cross on Thursday. Then, the Hounds will head to Beacon Falls to face defending Naugatuck Valley League champion Woodland. The Hawks beat Naugy to win last year’s title.