Usually, when Clearview and Kingsway go head to head in any sport, it’s a fierce rivalry and winning is of the utmost importance to both sides.
But when the Dragons hosted the Pioneers on Monday in a season-opening girls tennis match, the result really didn’t matter. Players, coaches and a large crowd were all thrilled to have sports back after the spring season was canceled and the fall campaign delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It feels good to be back out here,” Clearview coach Colleen Senor said after her team’s 4-1 win. “We’re very fortunate. We’re taking all the safety precautions and we’re taking it day by day. We want the girls to focus on their goals for themselves and for the team and have a good year. We know this season is a gift.”
Clearview opened defense of its Tri-County Conference-Royal Division title with a strong showing. Carlee Cristella, last year’s Gloucester County champion, led the way with a 6-0, 6-0 victory at first singles.
“I didn’t think the season was going to happen,” Cristella said. “I thought it was going to get canceled before it even started; school too. I’m just glad to be out here. I’ve been training hard and hoping that we could play.”
About 50 spectators were on hand, which is quite sizable for a regular-season match. Local teams don’t normally see that many fans aside from the county tournament or a sectional final.
“There’s always fans at Kingsway,” Cristella said. “At Clearview you have to invite people to come, but there’s always a lot of people here. I love having fans. It’s more fun and I play better with fans watching.”
Kingsway’s Drew Laverty – the Dragons' boys coach who was making his debut with the girls team – noted that even more fans came out for a recent scrimmage. It made for an exciting atmosphere.
“To have these courts and to be out here on a great fall day is just awesome,” he said. “We know we can be shut down at any second and we’re not taking anything for granted. I think people were excited to get back out and watch some good tennis. We’re just trying to have our players, coaches and spectators do the right thing and keep wearing the masks and keeping the distance. Hopefully we’ll have a safe season and that’s all we can ask for.”
Brooke McGuigan added a 7-6 (7-2), 6-0 win at second singles for Clearview and the Pioneers swept the doubles matches. Senior Maeve Porter and sophomore McKenzie McDowell prevailed at first doubles, while sophomores Aubrey Donahue and Noelle Gregg earned the point at second doubles.
All four of those players are varsity newcomers so their performances were encouraging.
“They have a lot to learn and there’s going to be a learning curve for them,” Senor said. “But three of the four are sophomores, so we have a lot of years ahead of us for them to learn and grow and become better doubles players.”
Clearview was missing two key singles players: sophomore Emily Miscioscia at second and senior Samantha Deeney at third. Miscioscia is battling tendonitis in her rotator cuff and hopes to be back as soon as Friday, while Deeney and a JV player are both in quarantine for possible exposure to a COVID-positive student. Neither is currently sick and Senor expects them to return shortly.
“It’s really hard to sit and watch,” Miscioscia said of her injury. “Obviously, it’s nice being able to support the girls because I love my team. But it’s hard not being out there after spending so much time and energy to get ready. I know it will all be worth it in the end. … It’s not permanent, I know that, and I’ll be back.”
Kingsway’s lone point came at third singles from freshman Sydney Jones, who gutted out a 7-6 (7-2), 6-4 win over Felicity Huang. They were the last two varsity players on the court.
“Sydney is going to be a really good player for us for a long time,” Laverty said. “I think she took what she learned the other day in our Woodstown scrimmage and applied it today. She had two tight sets. In your first varsity match ever, to be able to win a tiebreak and then win (the second set) 6-4 with everybody watching is a pretty cool experience and hopefully something she can build on going forward.”
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September 29, 2020 at 07:09AM
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Large crowd watches Clearview top Kingsway in opener - nj.com
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