STAMFORD, Conn. -- The Newfield junior tennis team saved one of its best performances for the finale of the 2011 season against Middlesex, claiming a 17-5 win and it's third division title.
The boys played decisive tennis, setting the tempo early en route to their 8-3 win. Nick Morelli, playing in his last match for Newfield, remained unbeaten on the season with his 10-3 win. Sam Sterman and Brandon Temple raced off to a great start before eventually securing victory, 10-6, sweeping the U17 category. Jack Ogilve won his second straight match, 10-6, playing some solid tennis midway through the pro set. Peter Grant earned his first victory on the season with a convincing 10-4 win. In U14 doubles, Liam Gorey and Lucas Fee played nip-and-tuck tennis against Middlesex, but their opponents nudged out the win, 10-8.
In U12 action, Aditya Krishnamachar and Nick Elwell played well, but were eventually knocked off by their Middlesex counterpart. Jack Piazza came through his match, converting on his 9th match point, to get a solid 10-5 victory. Paul Hager and David Kristof made a furious comeback, winning the match of the day for the boys, 10-9, on a tie breaker. In the U10 division, Rex Elwell remained undefeated, winning 6-2, and Charlie O'Connor won his first match, 6-3, to round out the scoring.
The Newfield girls won a season-high nine matches against Middlesex. Laura Schwartzman played the longest match this season, nearly 90 minutes. When her opponent hit a backhand into the net at 9-10, it gave Laura the win, 10-9, 11-9 in the breaker. Annie Morelli and Katarina Cucullo secured the U14 sweep for Newfield with their convincing 8-1 win in doubles action.
In U12 competition, Cucullo also won her singles match, 8-3. Christina Molkenthin roared back from an early deficit to keep her record unblemished, with an 8-3 win. Nicole Welsh and Emily Schwartzman put in a great effort, but came up short against their opponents, 8-2. In U10, Madison Ogilve won in a tie-breaker, 6-5 (7-4). Jenna Handali completed the scoring with a steady performance throughout, wearing her opponent down, 6-3.
The Newfield junior team amassed 60 points this season, secured its second title in three years and will move up into the FCJTL Championship Division in 2012.
Robin Wexler contributed to this article.
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