Naugatuck
2019 results: 18-1; defeated Watertown to win NVL championship
Graduated: Brielle Behuniak, Hailey Russell, Christina Rego, Yahna Ancheta, Abby Lariccia
Seniors: Ashley Antunes, Rebecca Carney, Trinity Crisanti, Kasia Deptula, Danna Dominguez, Allyson LaBarre, Hope Pecor, Diana Rebelo
Season opener: April 10 vs. Holy Cross
Naugatuck’s roster has many new players from the team that won the Naugatuck Valley League championship in 2019.
Ashley Antunes is the only experienced player, but coach Jose Sendra is impressed with how the team is stepping up so far.
“Along with our seniors, we have a very talented junior class with Mia Grella, Shravani Daptadar, Tiffany Nguyen and Alena Rotatori,” Sendra said. “They are all showing impressive skills, despite not having a season last year. Probably because they don’t have to unlearn any mistakes I might have taught them.”
“We are going to work on improving our strokes each and every practice,” Sendra added. “The hope is to be peaking as a team at the NVLs. Our juniors are showing tremendous promise, and it’s just good to have the team out there together after losing last season.”
Woodland
2019 results: 10-5; lost to St. Paul in NVL quarterfinals
Graduated: Casey Brooks, Paige Resnick, Theresa Sherwood, Morgan Swift
Seniors: Samantha Erickson (captain), Olivia Vallejo (captain), Kayleigh Huk, Autym Dahlman
Season opener: April 10 vs. Wolcott
Woodland graduated seven starters from the 2019 season, the last time the Hawks took the court, so coach Jessica DeGennaro is looking to rebuild and provide plenty of opportunities for younger players to step up.
Junior Brooke Reilly will play No. 1 singles, and the team’s four seniors will lead this group of 15 players.
“With only two returning seniors that have match experience and a junior who will be our top player, a majority of our first-year players will see time in the lineup,” DeGennaro said. “Usually with a much larger squad, players don’t see much playing time until their junior or senior year. But we have a much smaller team and plenty of opportunities for players to step into the lineup.”
