DHHS Girls Tennis Team wins SCC Tournament Championship!

     In spectacular and dramatic fashion, the Hand Girls Tennis team defeated rival Amity 5-2 to win the 2012 Southern Connecticut Conference Championship. The team cruised by Guilford 7-0 in the semi-finals to have the opportunity to play for the championship.

     The finals, which were played at the indoor courts at Yale, were led by senior co-captain and tournament most outstanding player Taylor Fay. The team, following Taylor’s win at No.1 singles, was determined to finish out an outstanding season with strong performances in all seven matches. Winning their matches were Melissa Parker, in 2 hours and 45 minutes, at No. 3 singles, Claudia Lohn and Gabby Diotalevi in dominating style at No. 1 doubles and senior and co-captain Callie Swiggett and Nicole Cahill overpowering at No. 2 doubles. In the days most dramatic and exciting match No. 3 doubles, Alyssa Fleischman and Chloe Squitiero found ‘a new found cool’ as they avenged their only two losses of the season by defeating their opponents in a 2 ½ hour three set tiebreaker to put Hand over the top. Another strong outing by Rachel Petrini at No. 2 singles and Megan Sosensky at No. 4 singles inspired all the troops.  

     Led by veteran Coach Kitty Palmer, the girls are now ready to go on to the State Tournament next week as a favorite to repeat as State Champs. Taylor, Claudia, Gabby, Callie and Nichole go in to the states with undefeated records. Congratulations to all the girls for a truly outstanding and memorable season.