Rams Girls Tennis Enters FCIAC Final Undefeated

One week ago the Rams beat Fairfield Warde in an abbreviated match (4-1) that was moved indoors because of the rain. On Tuesday the two teams met again in the FCIAC Tournament semis, this time outdoors under sunny skies at the NCHS courts. Same results—the Rams, the top seed won six of the seven matches and advanced to the championship match against No. 2 seed Greenwich to be played at Wilton High School today at 4p.m.

The Rams enter the championship contest with a 19-0 record. Greenwich comes in with a 16-1 record, their only loss was to New Canaan, 4-3, 12 days ago.

Although the Rams won 6-1 against Warde Tuesday, the matches were much closer than the score would show.

"Warde adjusted very well after we won last week. They were stronger today from top to bottom and our team had their hands full, but fortunately the girls came through," said Rams Coach Gail Overbeck.

Kate Mannelly played No.1 singles on Tuesday and beat Christie Schneider in a three-setter, 1-6, 6-0, 6-1. Mannelly, said she told herself after the first set, "to really bear down to get it done." Mannelly won 12 of the next 13 games.

Caitlin Gallagher at No. 2 singles beat Hayley Wolf, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Courtney Gallagher was a straight set winner over Marysa Walsh at No. 3, 6-2, 7-6 (5).

Jensen Lee won in three sets over Caroline Gallucci, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

In doubles, last year's FCIAC MVPs—Alyssa Baker and Kimmy Glerum—were 6-3, 6-1 winners over Tara Babushkin and Hayley Smola.

The No. 2 doubles team of Emily and Sara Greene beat Jen Weiss and Emily Weiner, 6-1, 7-6 (4). The Greenes agreed that, "we had to really plan our strategy sometimes point to point because our opponents played so well.

In Warde's only win, Maggie Glambaloo and Lauren Wroblewski beat Amanda Merjian and Phoebe Wilks in three tough sets, 5-7, 7-5 and 10-7 in a super tiebreak.