Pilgrim tops Vets for first victory

William Geoghegan
Posted 10/9/14

The Pilgrim and Warwick Vets tennis teams have been fighting the same uphill battle this season. Most of their players are brand new to the sport – and most of their opponents are not.

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Pilgrim tops Vets for first victory

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The Pilgrim and Warwick Vets tennis teams have been fighting the same uphill battle this season. Most of their players are brand new to the sport – and most of their opponents are not.

On Tuesday afternoon, the battle ground was finally level as the Warwick squads played each other for the only time this season. Both teams came away with some positive results, with Pilgrim winning three of the five contested matches and picking up two forfeits for a 5-2 victory.

“As the season has gone on, we’ve progressed,” said Pilgrim head coach Shon Campbell. “We’ve been improving. So this was perfect timing for us, to meet someone around the same skill level, with the progression we’ve had.”

It was the first win of the season for the Pats, who moved to 1-10. Vets dropped to 0-11.

Pilgrim got victories from Abby Small at No. 3 singles, Zoe Vigeant at No. 4 singles and Brigh Finnegan and Vanessa Escamila at No. 1 doubles.

The ’Canes were hoping for a better showing, but had four players out of action and could only fill five spots in the lineup. Corinne Gregoire at No. 1 singles and Olivia Murray at No. 2 singles picked up the Vets victories.

“I think we would have done well, but we didn’t have the whole lineup today,” said Vets head coach Tamra Gallo. “Some of our girls were a little off today, but our No. 1 and No. 2 played very well.”

Pilgrim lost the opening game in three of the four singles matches, but Small and Vigeant regrouped and were rarely behind again. Small won the first set over Mackenzie Mills 6-3 then rolled to a 6-1 win in the second set, taking the final four games to finish it off.

Vigeant was locked in a 4-4 tie with Phone Htoo in the first set before breaking Htoo to go up 5-4 and serving out the set to win 6-4. In the second set, she stormed to a 6-0 victory.

“Those girls, Abby and Zoe, have been playing excellent,” Campbell said. “Every single match, they’ve improved with their technique and their footwork. It just all worked out today. It was coming. You could see it coming from them.”

With two forfeits already in the books, the singles victories clinched the match for Pilgrim. The Pats added a doubles victory from Finnegan and Escamila, who beat Alyssa Flanagan and Stephanie Racca.

“They had some good rallies today,” Campbell said. “They’ve faced some really good competition and they’ve held their own.”

For Vets, Gregoire posted the best performance of the day, beating Pilgrim’s Drisanna Watson 6-0, 6-0. The sophomore improved to 6-5 on the season. She’s been a major bright spot in a building year.

“Corinne played a great match today,” Gallo said. “She’s 6-5 for the season, so she’s done well. She’s just a solid player in all aspects of her game. She’s got a strong serve, her forehand and backhand are always good, she’s been playing well at the net.”

At No. 2 singles, Murray lost the first set 6-4 to Pilgrim’s Kayla Moorby, but battled back to take the next two. She broke a 2-2 tie in the second set by winning four consecutive games to finish off a 6-2 victory. In the third set, she won four of the last five games to win 6-3.

It was the second straight victory for Murray, who also rallied from a first-set loss on Monday.

“Olivia had a great match yesterday and a great match today,” Gallo said. “In both matches, she lost the first set. What I like is that she doesn’t get riled and she can settle down and get it back.”

Vets was set to be back in action Wednesday against Hope, with results unavailable at press time. The ’Canes will close out the regular season today with a home match against Middletown.

Pilgrim was scheduled to host North Smithfield on Wednesday and will finish up against Tolman today.

“I’m proud of the girls,” Campbell said. “It’s nice to get a win. When you know you’re in a tough situation in a complete rebuild, even getting one win is good. The girls are happy.”

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