Greenwich rolls past top-seeded Greenville to claim Section 2 Class C-D tennis title

EAST GREENBUSH – As the Greenwich junior doubles tandem of Avery Ellis and Rylan Wolf closed the gate, left the court and sat down with their teammates Thursday afternoon, the Witches knew they had accomplished what they set out to do at Columbia High School.

Greenwich swept the first three singles matches completed Thursday and the win authored by Ellis and Wolf secured the Section 2 Class C-D team title for the Witches.

“Obviously, I am very happy,” Greenwich first-year coach Maddy Brophy said. “I was a little nervous going into it. I think they were too, but they pulled it together for sure.”

The second-seeded Witches ultimately won 5-2 over top-seeded Greenville. The win marked Greenwich’s second title since 2024. Last fall, second-seeded Voorheesville defeated top-seeded Greenwich 4-3 for the championship.

Brophy, a Greenwich captain during her playing career before competing in college at Oneonta, served as an assistant coach before becoming head coach this season. She was pleased to see her charges prevail after last year’s championship disappointment.

“Losing against a team you think you are pretty even with was tough. We were competitive against Voorheesville. It hurt,” Brophy said. “We were ready this year.”

Greenville, which finished its season 7-4, fielded a roster Thursday with two seniors, six sophomores and three freshmen.

Things got rolling for the Witches as juniors Kyleigh Broadhead and Bella Goodling, playing No. 4 and 5 singles, respectively, quickly won in straight sets in under an hour. Claire Fowler, who played No. 1 singles Thursday after spending most of the season as the No. 2 player, won 6-2, 6-1 over Greenville senior Annie Arvidson.

Greenville’s No. 1 doubles pairing of sophomore Harmony Case and freshman Kaylin Paulsey won their match 6-3, 6-3 to get the Spartans their first win. Greenwich senior Kaitlin Skiff, normally the team’s top singles player, then defeated Greenville senior Jasmine Ellis 6-0, 6-4 at No. 2 singles, putting the Witches up 5-1.

“I had a lot of motivation this year being first singles. I wanted to show up for my team, encourage them and bring it home. We won,” Skiff said.

Skiff trailed 4-3 in the second set before claiming the final three games to secure the victory.

“I am proud. The second set was close, but I was very determined to win,” Skiff said.

The Witches took the court for the final with a lineup featuring two seniors and six juniors among their nine starters. Their experience edge Thursday certainly helped. The final contest came down to No. 3 singles. Greenville’s Lyla Uht, a sophomore, edged Greenwich senior Brooke Conlin 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (8-6).

Before leaving the court, Skiff and Conlin happily posed for photos with the Section 2 banner and team title plaque. Although Brophy hoped Conlin could have won individually, she was proud her two senior leaders helped the team claim the championship.

“We talked about this before that this could be your last match, so give it everything you’ve got. That is really all you can ask as a coach,” Brophy said. “You hope to get the win.”

Greenwich (8-4) returns to action Sunday at Schenectady’s Central Park to face Class B sectional champion Scotia-Glenville in a contest to determine which squad will represent the area in the Division 2 state tournament.

There’s more to Albany with the Times Union. Subscribe today for just 25¢.

This article originally published at Greenwich rolls past top-seeded Greenville to claim Section 2 Class C-D tennis title.

Source link

Spread the love