Westerly's Relentless Pursuit of Glory
A Seasoned Squad with Unfinished Business
Westerly's girls tennis program had been knocking on the door of a championship for years, but the 21-year drought had become a source of frustration and motivation. This year, the team was determined to end the drought and cement their legacy. With a majority of seniors on the roster, the Bulldogs knew this was their best chance to capture the elusive title.Throughout the season, Westerly's players and coaches remained focused on their ultimate goal. "We have a majority of seniors and it feels nice that we won," said Westerly's top singles player, Virginia Royce. "This is probably the last year we might have a chance at it, so I'm really happy that we won this. We've worked really hard all season."
The Bulldogs' experience and dedication paid off, as they navigated their way through the regular season undefeated in league play, with their only loss coming against a Division I powerhouse, Narragansett.
Overcoming the Crusaders' Challenge
In the Division II championship match, Westerly faced off against a formidable opponent in Prout. The Crusaders had proven to be a tough challenge earlier in the season, but the Bulldogs were determined to come out on top.Westerly wasted no time in asserting their dominance, storming to a 2-0 lead in the match. Royce, the team's top singles player, sealed the victory with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win. The Bulldogs' doubles teams also shone, with Margaret Scanapieco and Simone Hackett cruising to a 6-1, 6-1 triumph, and Katelyn Arnold and Macey Garafola securing a 6-0, 6-4 victory.
Despite Prout's efforts to mount a comeback, Westerly's depth and experience proved too much to overcome. Addison Serra's 6-1, 6-2 win in the No. 4 singles match put the Bulldogs firmly in control, and although Prout managed to win the second doubles match, it was too little, too late.
A Triumphant Celebration and a Lasting Legacy
As the final point was played, the Westerly players erupted in celebration, realizing that their hard work and dedication had finally paid off. "I didn't even realize," Royce said. "I heard a stampede coming my way and it hit me that we just won the whole thing."The Bulldogs' victory was a testament to their resilience and the unwavering belief of their coaches. "I remember the first day four years ago, I told these kids that I was going to see them at their best and their worst," Westerly coach Terence McAndrew said. "It's only fitting in their last go that I saw them at their best."
The championship triumph will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the Westerly community. "It feels great. It's going to be so good to go back to school Monday. All the teachers are going to be cheering us on and we're going to have a banner in the gym forever," Royce expressed with excitement.
The Westerly Bulldogs' journey to the Division II title was a story of perseverance, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of a dream. After 21 years of waiting, the girls tennis program can finally celebrate a well-deserved championship, cementing their place in the school's history and inspiring future generations of athletes to strive for greatness.