The Northampton girls tennis team celebrated Senior Day during their final home match of the season on Saturday against Freedom. Although the Patriots left town as 6-1 winners, it was fitting that senior Leah Jenkins and her partner Ava Grell scored the only team point, a 6-4, 6-2 win at fourth doubles.

Jenkins described the emotions of the day.

“It’s kind of sad. It’s a nice moment to say goodbye to everyone and spend the last home game together,” she said.

In singles play, Rachel Zeitner fell to Devon Ulmer 4-6, 2-6, Izzy Sawarynski lost to Navya Manne 2-6, 0-6, and Ava Aulisio dropped a 2-6, 2-6 decision to Liyana Parker.

In the other doubles matches, Zeitner and Sawarynski were beaten by Ulmer and Manne 8-4 in a pro set, Gianna Lorenz and Mya Cruz fell to Samantha Torok and Kate Twiggar 0-6, 0-6, and Toni Bubier and Kaci Howe, lost to Arleen Nagra and Sofia Nabyt 2-6, 5-7.

Zeitner, a 4-year varsity player, described her experience playing for Northampton.

“The team is the most fun. I love all of the girls who play and every year I make new friends on the tennis team. Even when people graduate, we still keep in touch,” she said.

Sawarynski spoke about the positive impact that tennis has had on her life.

“With tennis I can let loose, be myself, and have fun with it and just go out there and do my best,” she said. “This sport really helped me to have clarity and push myself to do the best I could possibly do.”

First-year girls head coach Danielle Bowman reflected on her three seniors, “Even though I only had them for one year, they were a big help throughout the season getting me started. Even though Rachel was our captain, all three of them stepped up and took the underclassmen under their wings and showed them the ropes. They were like big sisters to the up-and-coming players.”

The Kids finished the season by claiming a Cement Belt Challenge point over Whitehall in a 4-3 match to finish the season 4-12 overall, 4-11 in the EPC.