After nearly two decades of dominating the Big 10 conference, the Amsterdam High School Lady Rams tennis team set their sights on claiming a title in the Foothills Council in 2014. They took a positive step forward by winning their third straight match Friday afternoon with a 6-0 victory over Glens Falls and did so with a familiar competitive attitude.
“Always stay confident,” said AHS senior Caitlin Gannon who was a 6-0, 6-1 winner over Michaela McGivern at No. 4 singles. “And play as hard as you can. Never negative.”
The Lady Rams dominated Glens Falls winning every singles match and the only doubles match contested. Kristie Kaczmarek defeated Jaquelin Mignot 6-0, 6-0. Ella Dybas topped Kit Bruen 6-0, 6-0.
Audrey Flint was a winner 6-0, 6-0 over Kaili Jackson, and Tessa Filiberto won by the same score over Kennedy Harrison.
“We worked hard in the off-season,” AHS senior Audrey Flint said. “We defeated a third team today. It feels good.”
The doubles team of Gianna Quatrini and Gabby Disalvi were straight set winners over Olivia and Maddie Leland. Molly Monge and Prabha Singh won by forfeit. The Lady Rams dealt with a late start and the heat and won for the third time without dropping a set.
“We played really well and the girls worked really hard and it shows,” AHS coach Maura Dargush said. “We won today despite the weather.”
Amsterdam was victorious in the 90 degree heat and carries an unblemished record into Monday’s contest against Queensbury. The match will feature some of the best competition AHS will face in the young season.
“They are one of the deepest teams in the league,” Dargush said of her next opponent. “They are on the same level with us.”
The Lady Rams will also see something they hadn’t seen when they were part of the Big 10; more playing time.
“Everyone has a full team in the Foothills Council,” Dargush said. “We have more league matches than we had in the Big 10. Everyone fields a full team of singles and doubles.”
Amsterdam has already defeated teams from South Glens Falls and Hudson Falls and in addition to Queensbury will take on competition from Johnstown, Gloversville and Scotia -Glenville. The Lady Rams are already starting to see the value of playing more matches and some new teams.
“I think it’s been very good competition,” Gannon said. “If we play like we did today and play our hearts out then we’ll be o-kay.”
Amsterdam continues its quest for a title in a new league Monday at Amsterdam High School. Match time is set for 4:15pm. The Lady Rams will also be home against Johnstown on Friday, September 12th, and then will face Greenwich in a non league match at AHS on Monday, September 15th.
(Photos by Scott Mulford)
