Tiverton High School’s girls' tennis edged previously undefeated Coventry 4-3 in a Division 3 home match on Wednesday afternoon. The win improved the Tigers’ record to 9-2 as they grabbed sole possession of third place. Tiverton’s losses were to second place Providence Country Day and Division 2 Middletown.

“All season, the team has been focused on strengthening their mental game,” said head coach Jessica Cullinan. “The whole team enthusiastically committed to playing with a positive mindset and staying focused. That positive attitude was a huge driving factor in the team's performance."

First doubles team finds fire during upset

Tiverton’s first doubles team Caroline Durost and Lia Doster were mired in a tense match during the upset 6-4, 7-5 win over Coventry’s Morgan Lemoi and Alester Davies.

The Tigers’ duo won the first set 6-4, then the fell behind 1-5 in the second set. Head Coach Jessica Cullinan gave the two a quick pep talk during a break in play.

“We don't want a tie breaker, “she told them. “Bring your fire and finish it."

Durost and Doster did just that. The duo clawed their way back and won six-straight games to take the set. 

“Caroline’s unstoppable serve and Lia’s fierce net play carried them to a win,”Coach Cullinan said.

Third, fourth singles also come through

Tigers’ third singles player Courtnie Smith, a junior, co-captain, beat Anna Bryson, Coventry’s heaviest hitter, 6-3 6-3. She played steady and consistent according to assistant coach Sam Rollings.

Fourth singles player Brooke Sowa beat Coventry’s Keely Sullivan 6-4, 6-5. “Brooke moved her opponent from side to side to quickly lock in,” said assistant coach Rollings.

Second doubles team clinches win

Second doubles team Carly Sanna and Angie Cordeiro beat Coventry’s Brooke Roma and Meladi McCue 6-3, 6-4 in a hard fought match.

“They have great communication and aggression,” said assistant coach Rollings.

"It's not easy to find a doubles pairing that works together as well as these two do,” echoed Coach Cullinan. “Carly and Angie instantly clicked on the court early this season and radiate positivity during their matches."

First singles player, Lexi Boissonneau, a senior co-captain, lost to Coventry’s Grace Koszela 6-7 (2-7) 1-6.

“She put up a fight in the first set tie breaker,” said Coach Cullinan.

Second singles player Julia Keating fell to Coventry’s Keelyn Hall in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 2-6 and third doubles pair Sophia Han and Juniper Merkle lost 4-6, 3-6 to Coventry’s Ella Navakauskas and Gia Lovell.

“The entire lineup brought their A-game,” said assistant coach Sam Rollings. “All four singles players battled for every point in their toughest match this season.”