New Canaan's Alyssa Baker and Kimberly Glerum had seen this movie before. They didn't like the ending the first time, or the second. The Rams' pair lost in the State Open doubles final to Weston's Marie Gargiulo and Emma Samson, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) Wednesday at Yale University. Weston also eliminated them in last year's final.
"They're not like any other team that we go up against,'' said Baker, a senior, who made three trips to the State Open in doubles but never walked away with the top prize. "They have so much on their balls. But we gave them a good battle. I think we gave them a run for their money."
New Canaan had opportunities. The Rams led 5-4 and 6-5 in the second set, and were up 4-2 in the tiebreak. Each time, Weston responded. In the tiebreak, Weston rallied for a 5-4 lead on an ace by Gargiulo. After New Canaan tied it at 5-5, Weston won the next two points to take the match. Samson served the final point, and the match ended on a tremendous volley by Gargiulo.
While disappointed with the loss, Baker and Glerum seemed more upset that their career as doubles partners had come to an end. "We were telling ourselves this is the last time we'll play together,'' said Glerum, a junior. "Let's just go out and give it our best."
Gargiulo and Lindsey Gersh defeated Baker and Glerum last year in three sets. Gargiulo and Samson got them this time. "We were the underdogs,'' Baker said. "It was as close as you can get."
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