Credit: Grace Zocco

Swinging her racket to hit the ball, senior captian Ava Knourenko hits the ball over the net and earns her team a point against Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.

On Friday, May 1, the girls varsity tennis team beat Cambridge Rindge and Latin 4-1 in a home match. This win improved Wayland’s record to three wins and three losses.

During the first set, in four of the five starting matches, Wayland won 6-0. According to head coach Jason Tassinari, junior Ida Czauderna had a fantastic starting match and worked well with her doubles partner, junior Patara Tezduyar.

“Ida is one of the most improved players on the team and has been improving every season,” Tassinari said. “Not only did she win her doubles match, she and her partner [Tezduyar] really dominated the opponent”

Czauderna won both her sets 6-0 and won the “hammer award,” also known as the player of the game, after the match.

“I think the match was successful because we worked together well and won,” Czauderna said.

During the second set, freshman Yvie Moran scored four points before eventually losing the match. Tassinari said he was impressed with her ability to step into the game and bounce back stronger after losing the first set.

“She regrouped in the second set, hit more aggressively and competed at a much higher level,” Tassinari said. “Her experience playing in the match is far more important than the result of her match.”

Of the other two singles matches, senior Yumi Niimi was able to sweep her opponent with a score of 6-0 in both sets.

“I think I found success in this match by taking advantage of my shots and being able to take advantage of [my opponents] mistakes,” Niimi said.

The first doubles pair, senior Ava Knourenko and freshman Floriane Shadday won both sets, with a score of 6-1 in the second set. According to Knourenko, the communication between her and Shadday helped lead them to success.

“During the second set, we started to get less into a rhythm and started losing some points, but in the end we got it back and won,” Knourenko said.

Wayland is now ranked No. 9 in the state for Division II.

Gallery • 8 Photos

Credit: Grace Zocco

Hitting the ball, junior Patara Tezduyar plays in her doubles match with her teammate junior Ida Czauderna.