Avon girls prevail in close race for NCCC Tournament title

written by Gerry deSimas, Jr., Collinsville Press | May 30, 2014

Tennis graphicSUFFIELD, May 29 – The Avon High girls tennis team reclaimed the NCCC championship this spring, going 17-1 in the league finishing one game ahead of Suffield, which finished 16-2.

The Wildcats made the race for the league championship a competitive one with a 4-3 win over Avon in mid-May. But the Falcons (17-2, 17-1 NCCC) won their remaining two league matches against Granby and Windsor Locks to bring home the pennant.

It wasn’t easy at the NCCC Tournament, either. Avon’s No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams had to beat their respective Suffield opponents to enable the Falcons to win the NCCC Tournament championship for the third consecutive year with a one-point victory, 21-20. 

At No. 2 doubles, Avon’s Sarah Chow and Tait Becker beat Suffield’s Ashley Prince and Holly Vynar. It was even closer at the No. 3 doubles but Avon’s Shayna Aronson and Shan Morel outlasted Suffield’s Apurva Gangked and Michaela Bouchard, 6-4, 6-4 to help the Falcons win the tournament.

Avon also won two titles in singles. Hannah Dahlem didn’t lose a game in winning the No. 1 singles title with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Kristine Goulin of Ellington/Somers. Avon’s Pam Fetzer won the No. 2 singles title for the second straight year with a convincing 6-0, 6-0 win over Maria Porcello of Suffield.

Avon opens play in the Class M tournament on Monday when they host the winner of the Woodstock Academy and RHAM match at Avon Middle School at 3 p.m. A win by Avon in match will advance them to the quarterfinals.

2014 NCCC girls tennis
At Suffield
Team results – 1. Avon 21, 2. Suffield 20, 3. Ellington/Somers 16, 4. East Granby 12, 5. Granby 10, 6. (tie) Coventry and Windsor Locks 8, 8. Bolton 5, 9. Canton 3, 10. Enfield 2
Singles finals
No. 1: Hannah Dahlem, Avon def. Kristine Goulin, Ellington/Somers, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2: Pam Fetzer, Avon def. Maria Porcello, Suffield, 6-0, 6-0
No. 3: Sarah Fall, Suffield def. Paula Aksenoff, East Granby, 6-1, 6-3
No. 4: Jillian Jenkins, Suffield de. Goose McGloin, Windsor Locks 3-6, 6-3, 7-5

Doubles finals
No. 1: Maddie Dixon/Alanna Bergman, Granby def. Courtney Binkowski/Ashley Thomas, Ellington/Somers, 6-2, 7-6 (7)
No. 2: Sarah Chow/Tait Becker, Avon def. Ashley Prince/Holly Vynar, Suffield, 6-3, 6-2
No. 3: Shayna Aronson/Shan Morel, Avon def. Apurva Gangked/Michela Bouchard, Suffield, 6-4, 6-4

Final league standings: Avon 17-2, 17-1 NCCC, Suffield 17-2, 16-2 NCCC, Ellington/Somers 15-3, 15-3, East Granby 12-6, 12-6, Granby 9-9, 9-9, Coventry 8-10, 8-10, Windsor Locks 7-11, 7-11, Bolton 4-14, 4-14, Canton 1-17, 1-17; Enfield 1-17, 1-17