Growing Pains for Finley Tennis
Growing pains are never very pleasant but they are often necessary. So it was for the J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls’ tennis team, which finished the season with a 2-8 mark under first year coach Marissa Bergmann.
The 16-player Falcon squad was captained by Hailey Giordano, McKenna Duffy and Christine Simpson. The team consisted of 14 seventh graders and just two eighth graders, only one of which was returning from last year.
“This was a very young team,” Bergmann said. “They were able to come together and learn about what it means to be on a school team. Everything was new and they tackled each task together, putting in 100 percent effort. Every player grew individually and we grew as a team.”
Christine Simpson and Lana Ziegler were the Falcons’ top singles players. “Both were strong competitors,” Bergmann said. “Christine displayed great leadership.” In doubles, Madeline Riggs and Nicole Russo and Hailey Giordano and Suzanne Petryk were tops.
Bergmann said Finley’s most improved players were Kristin Walsh and Hanna Murphy. “Each girl came with a smile everyday, ready to work hard to help the team,” the coach said.
Victories over Northport and East Northport were the highlights of the season. The 4-3 victory over Northport came at just the right time, when the Falcons needed a morale boost. The 6-1 win over East Northport in the last meet of the year allowed players to walk away on a high note.
With 14 players eligible to return, there are high hopes for a significantly more competitive team. “Next season our team goal is to continue to improve as individuals, as well as a team,” Bergmann said. She hopes to improve the team’s won-loss record and work more closely with the high school coaching staff.
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