The girls’ varsity tennis team kept their undefeated record alive with a 7-2 win against Drake on Tuesday.
Redwood has had little trouble with Drake in the past, but they tried hard not to be overconfident, according to team captain Natalie Epstein.
“Even when we don’t think a team will be super competitive, they can always pose a challenge,” Epstein said.
The doubles teams were particularly strong, maintaining a clean sweep across the board. Redwood’s new doubles strategy has helped develop effective teams, according to head coach Marlies Ziesler.
“This year was the first year we decided we would be doing doubles teams and trying to keep them together,” Zeisler said. “I think there’s a lot of confidence when you play with the same person all the time. You get to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and habits, and how your personalities work together.”
The doubles team of juniors Ella Ong Bamola and Devon Cusack won their match quickly, only losing two games. Even though Ong Bamola was not playing with her usual doubles partner, junior Christine Watridge, she still emerged with an easy win.
“Before the match starts, we compare notes, and form our strategy from there,” said Ong Bamola. “Having a teammate there in doubles is really helpful because if you make a bad shot or make a mistake, there’s someone to cheer you on.”
Redwood’s next match of the season is against San Marin on Thursday, Oct. 6th.
Match Results
Singles:
#1 – Quinn Perozzi 6-2, 6-2 Win
#2 – Christine Watridge 6-1, 6-2 Win
#3 – Chloe Willson 6-1, 6-2 Win
#4 – Sophia Gazor 6-2, 6-3 Win
#5 – Nicole Fuches 6-3, 6-1 Loss
#6 – Rachel Nielsen 6-3, 6-1 Loss
Doubles:
#1 – Devon Cusack and Ella Ong Bamola 6-1, 6-1 Win
#2 – Lilly Blanadet and Lindsay Dubin 6-4, 6-0 Win
#3 – Ella Flax and Sarah Fraschetti 6-4, 6-1 Win