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04/08/2024 01:57 AMGirls’ Tennis
The Valley girls’ tennis team kicked off the season at Coginchaug on April 1 and won 5-2. The team had two starters out sick, but the alternates stepped up and helped to secure the victory.
For singles, senior captain Natalie Novak won 6-4, 6-3 and senior Clara Shea won 6-3, 6-0.
All three doubles pairings claimed victories, which included sophomores Ella Smith and Hannah Smith ( 6-1, 6-1), juniors Sophia Bonanno and Hannah Faucher (6-0, 6-3), and sophomores Ella Martinez and Sydney Liggett (6-1, 6-1).
“We've also lost two key players this season so far to serious injury which proved challenging early on in our lineup,” said Head Coach Sage Novak. “But we have depth on our roster this season, and the girls have all showed tremendous determination, athleticism, and sportsmanship.”
On April 5, the team hosted Morgan and won 6-1. Senior captain Joanna Petrone won at No. 1 singles (6-3, 6-2), and Novak won at No. 2 singles (6-4, 6-3). Additionally, Shea picked up a singles win (6-3, 6), as did freshman Riley Russell (6-2, 6-2).
On the doubles side, senior Regan Grow and sophomore Hannah Smith won 6-1, 6-1. Sophomores Ella Smith and Alana Martinez won 6-2, 6-0.
“The weather was barely 40 degrees, and it was quite windy. Not great tennis weather, but the girls were able to persevere,” said Coach Novak after the match. “Two of our starters were away on the school foreign language trip, but our alternates stepped up and helped secure the victory once again.”
Boys’ Tennis
The Valley boys’ tennis team had its first match of the season at home on April 1, defeating Coginchaug 7-0.
Baseball
Valley Regional/Westbrook baseball started the season at East Hampton on April 1 and won 14-0.
The team then hosted Cromwell on April 5 and won 8-7.
Softball
The Valley softball team hosted Somers on March 30 and lost 10-1. Elleigh Ortola drove in the lone run for the Warriors. Kellyn Kolber also drilled a triple in the game and stole a base. Additionally, Kolber took the mound and pitched 5.1 innings. She gave up nine hits and two earned runs, while striking out three batters.
The squad then traveled to East Hampton on April 1 and won 15-5. Riley Soares went 2-for-6 with a triple and four RBIs. Nataly Pavon-Avila and Helen Manco drove in two runs each, and Ortola, Kolber, and Amelia Giantonio drove in one each. Kolber pitched six innings, giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out nine hitters. Megan Dugan took over for the seventh and gave up two earned runs.
On April 5, Valley hosted Cromwell and lost 12-9.
Boys’ Lacrosse
Valley boys’ lacrosse traveled to North Branford on April 4 and lost 11-1. Michael Lelyo scored the Warriors’ lone goal, and Noah Santangelo recorded seven saves in net.
On April 6, the team traveled to Cromwell and earned a big 16-1 victory.
Girls’ Lacrosse
The Valley girls’ lacrosse team hosted North Branford on April 5 and fell 19-4. Rowan Pilon scored two goals, and Belle Rice and Emily Atwood each scored one. Lucy Resnisky recorded 21 saves in goal.