Printer Friendly Version - Sosensky' Switch Saw More Success for Hand Tennis

After playing singles for three years, Hand senior Megan Sosensky was moved to No. 1 doubles as she and senior partner Gabby Diotalevi went 16-1 in their first regular and SCC campaign together and were named co-Most Outstanding Player for the SCC Division I Tournament, which was won by the Tigers.

In a spring that brought great change for Megan Sosensky, she took to the court in a new setting, yet yielded the same success for both herself and Tigers' tennis.

The senior and four-year varsity starter was previously a soloist for Hand before she was called upon to come over to No. 1 doubles with senior partner Gabby Diotalevi. The move was no issue for Megan as she was on a tandem that went 16-1 through the SCC postseason to help the Tigers three-peat as conference champions in addition to her and Diotalevi being named co-Most Outstanding Players for the SCC Division I Tournament.

"In the beginning it was tough, because singles and doubles are completely different games, but I worked hard to help make the transition," said Megan. "I've worked on going to the net more as well. [Head Coach] Kitty [Palmer] texted me and asked where I wanted to play, and I responded by saying, 'Wherever the team needs me.' Kitty and Gabby have helped me so much, and I'm continuing to learn in each match."

The pair spent their entire winter playing indoors, getting accustomed to each other, and developing court camaraderie, which helped make it all systems go when the campaign began.

"Playing inside with each other during the winter, we learned to play with each other, so we warmed up with working together by the time the season started," Megan says. "During SCCs is when I felt the most comfortable and like a complete doubles player."

Being in the starting lineup each year has given Megan plenty of confidence and experience, including seeing the vast amount of differences between competing alongside a companion and flying solo.

"Starting four years has given me much more confidence in knowing that I've helped the team four years and that my coach has the faith in me," says Megan. "In singles, you have to cover more court, so in doubles, you're mainly hitting the ball cross court and occasionally down the line. You are then covering only half the court, yet there's a lot of communication involved."

Coach Palmer adds that Megan's consistent presence in the Hand lineup is a rare feat and that both she and Gabby refused to fold against the stiffest SCC competition.

"Megan played singles at No. 3 or 4 until this year, and she has started in the varsity lineup for all four years, which is a rarity," says Palmer. "What separates these two is they never give up. They are always trying to win up until the match is over, regardless of the score."

The lone regular season defeat suffered by Megan and Gabby, along with Hand, came on May 21 to Amity during a 4-3 loss. However, the dynamic duo avenged that blemish on May 30 in the SCC DI final when they earned a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory to help the Tigers claim the crown.

"To only have one loss my first year at doubles is certainly an accomplishment. I'm proud of Gabby and I, plus Kitty worked hard to help us get to this spot," says Megan, who thanks parents Mike and Dana, grandparents Roberta and Jerry Pendleton, and Coach Palmer. "I'm so proud of everyone with winning SCCs. We went into this season thinking we wouldn't be as strong, but we definitely were. For us, we knew it would be hard in our match, but we fought through."

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