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Andover rips Brookline in state semis

Saturday, June, 20 By David Willis
Staff writer

After two days of waiting, the rain finally cleared — and Andover took care of business.

The Golden Warrior girls tennis team earned their chance at a second straight state title, defeating South champion Brookline 4-1 in the Division 1 state semifinals on Wednesday afternoon at Newton North. The match was postponed twice due to weather.

“We are so excited,” said senior Pooja Mukund. “I have been secretly hoping for this all season. It would be so amazing to do it again. This being my senior year, I really want to make this special. We found a way to win it last year, so hopefully we can do it again this year.”

Andover now advances to take on Central Mass. champion Shrewsbury in the Division 1 state championship on Thursday in a rematch of last season’s state title. It will be held at St. John’s of Shrewsbury at 2:30 p.m.

“The girls are just thrilled,” said Warriors coach Alan Hibino. “They want to try to continue leaving their legacy not just on the our tennis program but on the entire athletic program at Andover High. This team has accomplished so much, and another title would add one more piece.”

A victory would give the Golden Warriors their second straight state title, after edging Shrewsbury 3-2 a season ago.

“It would be amazing to repeat as champions,” said No. 1 singles player Courtney Nash. “It felt like a once-in-a lifetime accomplishment to do it a season ago. To two it twice in a row would be amazing. Right now, we feel like we can do it. We feel like we can do anything right now.”

Nash faced a momentous task at top singles, taking on Brookline’s Sonya Khudyakov who had just beaten her two weeks earlier in a United States Tennis Association matchup.

“That was a very big match for Courtney,” said Hibino. “That is a very high-caliber opponent and she really had to pull through and fight for that victory. It was also the clinching match of the day.”

It would be the Golden Warrior star that earned the win, as Nash battled for a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory.

“She had just beaten me two weeks ago but it was a very close match,” said Nash. “So I knew that it could go either way. I knew I could beat her, but I also knew she could beat me. I made some changes from the last time I played her. I was aggressive early on, then tried to use finesse later. “We were all very confident heading into the match. But we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. When Pooja took her match everyone started to relax a little.”

Mukund started Andover off in style by winning No. 3 singles 6-0, 6-3, the quickest Warrior victory of the day.

“Pooja has really found her groove,” said Hibino. “She is such a tough competitor, and did a great job.”

Championship veteran Laurie-Maude Chenard and Paige Webster battled for a victory at No. 1 doubles, winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Sydney Ferry and Julia Spagnuolo then made it a doubles sweep by winning 7-5, 6-4.

“Sydney and Julia had to come back from a 5-4 deficit in the first and were trailing 4-1 in the second so it was a big win,” said Hibino. “We won 4-1 but his was a battle. We had two go three sets and I think it was the toughest match Laurie-Maude and Paige had all year.

“Continuing this season is very important to these girls. It’s such a hectic time of year. They love to be together and playing tennis.”

Now, the Warriors hope to add the third tennis title in program history.

“Winning brought back a lot of memories from last year and how happy winning the title made us,” said Nash. “We know that it will be a great day either way, but if we can win a second title it would be so special.”