Hopedale Girls Tennis Team Keeps Building Tradition

The Hopedale High girls tennis team knows how to get results. Consider the last four years.
The Blue Raiders have won the last three Dual Valley Conference championships and have captured the last two Central Mass. titles. They’ve been to the tournament four times and finished as state runners-up the last two years, bowing to Martha’s Vineyard twice.
Last year, the girls finished 13-3 in the regular season, then posted a 4-1 record in the playoffs, ending the 2016 campaign with a 17-4 overall record. What was remarkable about those numbers was the team’s average age. It was 14½ and yet the girls came up one match shy of a state crown.
Amy Wersted, who’s been the Blue Raiders coach during this dynamic four-year run, could be directing another ultra-successful squad because this season’s contingent returns all of last year’s players. And, even more amazing, there are still no seniors on the roster.
Youth usually translates to a lack of experience but in Hopedale’s case it’s a plus.
“We are young but we’ve got players with tourney experience,’’ said Wersted, who works as a tennis instructor. “Many of our girls also play tennis out of season.’’
This year’s team has an array of other strengths. “We’re cohesive,’’ Wersted said. “Team chemistry is fantastic and our style is to play smart, intelligent tennis. We don’t rely on power, we stress good placement. The girls also have talent, utilizing drop shots and good top spin. Our depth is another asset. We have girls who’ve competed in varsity matches as seventh and eighth graders.’’
Consistency is a word Wersted uses often and it’s an area where she continually aims for improvement. Another element that she emphasizes is footwork. “Footwork is very important,’’ she noted. “Players should always be moving. I don’t want my players competing as if they’re stuck in cement.’’
This season, opponents will discover they’re in for some tough sledding when they face Hopedale’s first and second singles players. Sophomore Aimee Figgins plays No. 1 and junior Megan McLellan is in the second slot. Both were DVC all-stars last year and Figgins was voted the circuit’s No. 1 singles players while McLellan got the nod for the No. 2 ranking. Figgins is a four-year varsity player while McLellan is a five-year veteran.
“Aimee is like a backboard,’’ said Wersted. “Whatever shots come at her get returned. She’s smart, covers the court well and uses top spin. Her patience is excellent and she’s got great mental toughness.’’
McLellan is a co-captain and Wersted not only likes her leadership style, but also her ability. “Megan has a very welcoming style and she leads by example and also by being vocal,’’ Wersted said. “She’s another smart player who competes very well at the net. She’s patient and has a winning mentality. She could also play first singles.’’
Junior Brittany Dupuis, a four-year veteran, will see action at third singles. “Brittany is consistent, good at the net and has power,’’ Wersted said. “And, she’s excellent at wearing down her opponent and she could also play second singles.
Junior co-captain Jennie Holland and freshman Maddie Laprade will compete at first doubles. “Jennie is a perky and spunky leader who keeps team morale high,’’ Wersted emphasized. “She’s phenomenal at the net, uses power, has a great slice serve and is a fine all-around player. Maddie played volleyball and she’s good a spiking the ball. Her serve is excellent and at the net she’s a force to be reckoned with. She has a very calming disposition.’’
The second doubles team will feature juniors Missy Davis and Rachel Szemethy. “Missy hits with power and is an animal at the net,’’ Wersted said. “Her serve is good and she’s consistent. I like her encouraging style as a double partner — she’s always cheering her teammate. Rachel is one of our most consistent players. She’s got a great back-hand, is a good net player, and her reflexes are outstanding.’’
Wersted has depth at doubles and can call on eight-grader Katelynn Brunt, who competed in four varsity matches last year, or eighth-grader Madison Deppe.
“Katelynn covers the court very well and has great instincts,’’ Wersted said. “A finesse player, her placements are good, she’s consistent and she backs up her partner very well.
Madison compiled a 4-0 record as a seventh-grader last year. She does what it takes to win. She’s determined, consistent, and very capable at returning shots.’’
Wersted, whose Blue Raiders were 2-0 at Local Town Pages deadline, has some goals for the season. She wants her players to improve daily, play smart tennis and improve on last year’s record. As for winning another DVC title and getting back to the state tourney, she’s content to focus on “smart tennis’’ that hopefully will lead to another Central Mass. crown. “We’ve won two straight Central Mass. championships and it would be nice to make it three,’’ she said.
The Blue Raiders again are a young squad that has depth and experience on its side. Another season of success likely will unfold because the squad is focused, committed and devoted to the task at hand.