The Middlesex Girls' Varsity Tennis team competed in the Class B NEPSAC Tournament held this past weekend at the Westminster School in Simsbury, Conn. The quarterfinal match was played outdoors with ideal temperatures in the morning. 

We began at 10:30AM  in the quarterfinal against Cheshire Academy. Jessie Andrews '21 and Margaret Rand '19 claimed the first point for the Zebras 8-3 at third doubles. Soon to follow were Neha Kommineni '22 and Marissa Fadely, who won the second point 8-2 at first doubles. Senior captain Maud McCole '19 and Averill Emery '20 secured the third point for MX 8-6 after playing one of the most exciting tennis matches of the season in which rallies averaged 15-17 hits. 

The Zebras moved into their singles matches with Jessie Andrews (5th singles) delivering the fourth point for MX (6-0, 6-2). Maud McCole (3rd singles) delivered the fifth and final point for MX 6-1, 6-0. All other matches were immediately suspended as we won five of the nine possible points. With the victory, we advanced to the semifinals against Westminster at 4:00 PM.

Maud McCole and Averill Emery (2nd doubles) were defeated 2-8 by Clara Eckholm and Ellie Suit. Soon to follow were Jessie Andrews and Margaret Rand (3rd doubles), succumbing 7-9 after a valiant fight to Olivia Zhang and Diana Tsibikova. 

With the score at 0-2, Kommineni and Fadely (1st doubles) defeated Lauren Way and Alex Wolf 9-8 in a heart stopping, 10-8 tie breaker. 

With a score of 1-2, the singles matches began. Averill Emery (4th singles) lost her first set 0-6 to Clara Eckholm. Maud McCole (3rd singles) was defeated in the first set by Alex Wolf 5-7. Jessie Andrews (5th singles) was defeated in her first by Ellie Suit 1-6. The Zebras refused to give up with Kommineni (1st singles) defeating Olivia Zhang 6-3, and Fadely (2nd singles) defeating Lauren Way 6-4. 

As we moved into the second set, the Zebras fought valiantly. Westminster secured point number 4 as McCole was ultimately ousted by Maggie Chaves 3-6. Chaves spoke highly of McCole's fight as well as her sportsmanship. Westminster claimed the 5th and final point with Rand falling to Alex Wolf 2-6. The match was suspended with Kommineni, Fadely and Andews in the lead in their second sets 4-1, 3-2, and 5-4 respectively. 

The team will return to regular season play Wednesday against Governor's.