Cougar tennis players earn post season honors

NORTH PROVIDENCE - It was a rarity.

North Providence High School tennis coach Gerry Rubino knew after graduating 10 seniors from last year's regular season Division III championship team that this would be a rebuilding year, and it was.

In their final match of the season against defending state champion Portsmouth, the Lady Cougars dropped a 6-1 decision to conclude its season out of the playoffs. The team finished with a 6-9 record.

"Actually, we knew it was going to be a rebuilding year and that we would have to ask virtually every player to play up several levels, so it wasn't a surprise," said Rubino. "If there was any surprise, it was that the girls held together and did a great job of being competitive all year long. The team really worked hard and never gave up."

Actually, North Providence lost five 4-3 matches and won the first game of the final set in each of those, so they came close to having another winning record and playoff appearance, said Rubino.

Caramia Ferrario, playing at fourth singles all season, had the best record for the Lady Cougars at 11-4.

Several team members earned honors at the division coaches meeting last week. Christy Varr was named to First Team All Division, Alyssa Faucher earned Second Team All Division Honors as did the second doubles team of Gianna Cunetta and Natasha Perreault.

In their final match of the year against Portsmouth, which went on to repeat as Division III state champions during the weekend, Kristy Varr, who enjoyed a strong year at first singles, dropped a 6-3, 6-1 decision to Angela Pollard, and at second singles, Brittany Anthony downed Cougar Alyssa Faucher, 6-3, 6-1.

Portsmouth also won at third and fourth singles. At third, Hattie Young beat Kristin Fagan, 6-1, 6-1, and at fourth it was Sarah Zamil downing Caramia Ferrario in a close 6-2, 7-6(10-8) match.

Portsmouth also won first and second doubles. At first doubles, Kelsey Shanklin and Kat Quigley took a 6-1, 6-1 decision over Giana Cunetta and Natasha Perreault, and at second doubles, Allie O'Hearn and Hadley Coleman beat Carolina Santamaria and Patricia McNamara, 6-2, 6-2.

North Providence got its sole point at third doubles, where Taylor Fossa and Diana Morel got the better of Julia Manning and Katie Tirpacek, 8-6.

It's the first time in several years that the team did not make it to the playoff round.