Prep Tennis: Patriots keep rolling
Published: May 1, 2008
Over the past few years, the Albemarle girls tennis team has established itself as a perennial power in the Commonwealth district.
In 2007 the Patriots won the district before going on to claim the Northwest Region championship and hope to replicate last year’s success.
“We were really proud of last season,” said Albemarle coach Rich Lindsay. “But these girls have the challenge of keeping that going forward.”
So far, so good. Coming into the first round of the district tournament today, the Patriots remain unbeaten, and have already wrapped up a Northwest Region tournament bid.
Led by seniors Kelly Anderson and Morgan Watt, Albemarle has won 16 consecutive matches to maintain their reputation as the district’s top team.
“This is the most talented team I’ve ever coached,” Lindsay said. “In terms of the ladder, we are pretty deep.”
That depth has been a source of relief for Albemarle as a nagging wrist injury has sidelined Anderson, the team’s number one player, from a number of matches.
“It’s been a really interesting season,” Anderson said. “The matches I have played in, I’ve really enjoyed. But it’s also been really great to sit back and watch the other girls play. I think I appreciate the game a lot more.”
When Anderson has been forced to give her wrist a break, freshman Megan Napolitano has stepped up in her place.
“Our young kids are really stepping up early in their careers as players,” Lindsay said. “We’ve got eight new players on the squad. The challenge for us is taking those new girls in and teaching them about how hard we work.”
Last Wednesday against then-unbeaten Western Albemarle, Napolitano filled in for Anderson and won her match playing in the one spot.
The Patriots’ depth showed against the Warriors, as Napolitano, Watt and Angell each won their individual matches by at least six points.
“We leave nothing on the court,” said Watt. “We give it our all and never give up, and that’s why we’ve been as good we have.”
Albemarle, the top seed, hosts North Stafford today in the first round of the Commonwealth District Tournament at 5 p.m.
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Reader Reactions
Ryan, I believe you missed some major points in your story yesterday about Albemarle girls tennis.
1. You said Napolitano filled in at the #1 tennis position. In fact, she has been the #1 positioned player for the entire year. She earned that position by playing the girls on the squad during pre-season practice and was selected by the coach.
2. Megan has won all her matches as the #1 positioned player and also won her matches against the two players that were county all star players last year, she is only a freshman. She missed one match because of injury.
3. Megan has received a host of recruiting letters from college coaches including WEST POINT.
4. I think you should have highlighted the records of each of the single players. Even thou they play their matches as individuals, team play is essential because they need at least 5 indivual wins to win a match.
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