Martlets Place 8th at New Englands

The team had an early start Saturday traveling to Berkshire for New Englands this weekend. We were set to match up against Berkshire first. The Martlets played them earlier in the season and won 4-3. We knew that it would most likely be the same outcome either way; us winning again 4-3 or them beating us 4-3. The top three spots we knew would be difficult to get a win because they have a very very strong top three. Ours fought hard and improved how they played against them the first time making Berskire’s top three work for every point. Elle Wilson ‘26 playing #2 had a huge improvement since the last match, losing to her opponent by only two points in the first game. She fought harder than she ever has and the grit was something to rave about. Emily Fonner ‘26 was the star of the match as #4 going up against an opponent we all knew would be tough. Emily was down the first game but with some advice reminder her of where her strengths are as a player she was able to take the second game and then they battled it out to the fifth where Emily used her incredible low drives and serves to secure the win. The bottom of the ladder battled it out as well. Chase Hager ‘26 and Nora Davis ‘24 playing at #6 and #8 were the only two able to win in 3 games using great serves and drop shots to win their matches, while Natasha Johnson ‘27 and Alice Tao playing at #7 and #5 went to five games. Natasha was up the first game but lost her edge the next two and was able to take the advice from her coach and teammates to be able to pull out an impressive win in the fourth and fifth games. Alice had the toughest match of the weekend. Her and her opponent were very evenly matched and had very different strengths. Alice fought hard to the end but her opponent was able to snatch the win in the fifth game giving them the overall win of 4-3. Later that same day The Martlets had to up against Green Farms where Sophia Lazor ‘27 playing #1 and Elle Wilson ‘26 playing #2, were able to win their matches in 3 quick games. The rest of the ladder either had games that went to three but were only about 2 points of a loss or had games to four and five that were also only separated by a couple points. No matter if they were down or up the girls didn’t give up and showed grit until the very end. If they were not playing they were cheering for their teammates loudly and proudly. The Martlets readied themselves to play their final match Sunday morning against Hopkins after a very long and impressive Saturday. We knew going in this would be another close one where we would win 4-3 or they would. The top three were able to secure their wins using simple and well executed squash. Sophia Lazor ‘27 showed an impressive defensive game during her match lobbing to remove pressure from her so that she can either end the point and or set herself up for a great kill shot which is something she has been working on and it paid off. Margaret Dilks ‘24 playing at #3 showed great grit and skill listening to her teammate’s advice to slow down her game and use drives to her advantage. Emily Fonner ‘26 played another amazingly close match to five and even though she lost, she played so well and had a lot to be proud of. The way she plays the game was complimented many times over the weekend. Even though #4-#8 lost, most went to four and five games. The Martlets fought hard the entire weekend and even though we didn’t win, we showed great improvement of skill and showed pride and grit the entire way through. We were moved up to class C last minute so we knew it wouldn’t be easy. Everyone had something to be happy about and now we know what it takes to win at Nationals and The Martlets are ready to keep fighting. Later that same day The Martlets had to up against Green Farms where Sophia Lazor playing #1 and Elle Wilson playing #2, were able to win their matches in 3 quick games. The rest of the ladder either had games that went to three but were only about 2 points of a loss or had games to four and five that were also only separated by a couple points. No matter if they were down or up the girls didn't give up and showed grit until the very end. If they were not playing they were cheering for their teammates loudly and proudly. The Martlets readied themselves to play their final match Sunday morning against Hopkins after a very long and impressive Saturday. We knew going in this would be another close one where we would win 4-3 or they would. The top three were able to secure their wins using simple and well executed squash. Sophia Lazor showed an impressive defensive game during her match lobbing to remove pressure from her so that she can either end the point and or set herself up for a great kill shot which is something she has been working on and it paid off. Margaret Dilks playing at #3 showed great grit and skill listening to her teammates advice to slow down her game and use drives to her advantage. Emily Fonner played another amazingly close match to five and even though she lost, she played so well and had a lot to be proud of. The way she plays the game was complimented many times over the weekend. Even though #4-#8 lost, most went to four and five games.  The Martlets fought hard the entire weekend and even though we didn’t win, we showed great improvement of skill and showed pride and grit the entire way through. We were moved up to class C last minute so we knew it wouldn't be easy. Everyone had something to be happy about and now we know what it takes to win at Nationals and The Martlets are ready to keep fighting.