Autumn leaves touched down on the blue hard courts of Tamaques Park as Westfield and J.P. Stevens prepared to square off in the North 2, Group 4 sectional final for the third time in three years. Despite the two schools being familiar foes on the court, a new face would make its mark on this edition of the rivalry. First-year head coach Samantha Nichols, a former Westfield tennis player herself, was leading the girls as they looked to add to their back-to-back sectional championships. This anticipation, however, would have to wait a little longer as traffic caused the visiting Hawks to arrive 30 minutes after the designated match time.
Five matches. Best of three sets. Winner takes all. As good as it gets.
To begin, first singles player sophomore Savannah Cohen claimed the first set 6-0. Behind a crushing serve and an ability to track down seemingly every ball, Cohen meticulously dismantled her opponent. After what can only be described as a dominant first set, Cohen’s focus did not waver. She maintained her pressure, breaking her opponent’s first service game of the second set and ultimately going on to secure a 6-0, 6-1 victory.
“I thought I really played a strong match today. I know how dangerous my opponent can be with a lead, so a strong start really helped calm my nerves,” said Cohen. “My ability to get to the extra ball just really wore her down.”
Cohen’s success did not surprise her teammates who have come to expect this level of perfection from their ace. “Every day at practice she is always the hardest worker, always paying attention to details,” said junior teammate Lola Geoghan. She added, “Her footwork is unmatched.” These nuances, subtle as they seemed, made their presence known on the scoreboard.
On the first doubles court, senior Madison Wright and sophomore Bianca Vesuna were crucial to head coach Nichols’s anticipated path to victory. “They have strong singles. I think we need to look to win both of our doubles and steal singles matches wherever we can to give ourselves a shot,” said Nichols.
After a strong 6-2 first set, Wright and Vesuna looked to close out what they had started. Leading 5-3 in the second set, Wright blistered a serve to the backhand with Vesuna anticipating a volley after a soft return. The ball, however, never made it back over the net. Game. Set. Match. Suddenly, Westfield found itself one match away from completing the three-peat.
J.P. Stevens would not go out without a valiant effort. Singles wins from second singles junior Manasi Vartak and third singles senior Emily Hsieh applied pressure to the lone doubles match remaining on the courts. “I just wanted to give us a chance to win,” Vartak said. “It’s difficult to not look around at the scores of the other court, but I knew I had to take care of business if we wanted any chance.”
The stage was set. Second doubles, an unlikely hero, to determine everything. After a 6-2 first set, Westfield was on the brink of something special. In the second set, the tension became palpable as Westfield led just 5-4, one game away from securing the title. Senior Emmy Stoller hit a solid backhand before ripping a forehand down the line. “In” was the call. It was over. Westfield did what few groups have ever done. Not one, not two, but three consecutive sectional championships.
“I’m really proud of them. I know how much work goes into this and how much it means to them, it’s just a special moment for all of us,” said Nichols.
When asked about the Group 4 semifinals and final that lie on the horizon, Nichols was not fazed by the magnitude. “I think you need to take it one match at a time. I don’t look past any one match.”
Nichols was, however, not willing to dismiss the possibility of capturing the ultimate title. “I’m confident in the group of girls we have. We definitely have a good chance.”
For now, the team must settle for an accomplishment that will stand the test of time. The three-peat is complete.
