The Verona High School girls tennis team put its tough training in the Super Essex Conference to good use on Monday as it beat top-ranked Pompton Lakes 4-1 in the North Jersey, Section 1 Group 1 sectionals.
Pompton Lakes came into the match-up with a 9-3 record, to Verona’s 8-8. Verona had had a bye in the first round on October 3, then defeated Cedar Grove 5-0 on October 8 and followed that with a 5-0 victory over Park Ridge on October 11. Pompton Lakes also started with a bye, before defeating Emerson Boro and Cresskill.
The first win Monday came on the Doubles 1 court where the Verona team of Caroline Chivily and Briana Tedesco defeated Amanda Egan and Kristen Miragliotta of Pompton Lakes 6-0, 6-1. One court over in Singles 3, VHS sophomore Nell Karpinski powered her way to victory over the Cardinals’ Caroline King 6-2, 6-0.
In Singles 1, Verona senior Ciarra Davison defeated Amanda Pra Sisto 6-0, 6-1 while the VHS Doubles 2 duo of Gabby Brehne and Kelly Hogan defeated Kelly Brennan and Angela Leonte of Pompton Lakes 6-2, 6-3. Verona’s lone loss came in Singles 2, where the Cardinals’ Carolyn Zhang upset Jasmine Okafor 6-3, 6-1.
On Thursday, Verona travels to Mercer County Park in West Windsor for the NJSIAA Group semifinals and finals. The girls’ first match at 11 a.m. will be against South Group 1 champion Pennsville, which has an 18-2 record.
