Just before the start of the season, the Hamilton-Wenham girls’ tennis team learned that three-year stalwart Sky Jara would be sidelined for her senior season (foot surgery). Days later – a new No. 1 emerged.
Emma Jani, a homeschooled sophomore, received permission from the MIAA to play. Teaming up with junior Naomi Provost, a three-year starter at No. 2, they powered the Generals to their third straight Division 4 state championship, sweeping Lynnfield, 5-0, on Saturday at MIT.
“We’re so lucky with Emma and Naomi, and when we had Sky and Naomi, to have that power up top really puts a lot of pressure on teams,” Hamilton-Wenham coach Joe Maher said. “We’ve got two great players and a lot of talent around them.”
Provost (6-0, 6-0) finished first her match first, with Jani (6-0, 6-1) close behind, both in under an hour. The second doubles team of junior Maddie Minich / senior Angelina Meimeteas secured the title with a 6-2, 6-1 victory. Senior Ellie Holbrook (6-2, 7-6/7-1) won at third singles and the first doubles pair of senior Sienna Gregory / Emily McIntosh (6-4, 7-5) prevailed in straight sets.
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Hamilton-Wenham (19-2) returned just two starters from last year’s title team, Provost and senior Sienna Gregory at first doubles, but a slew of Generals looking for varsity action trained all winter long. Hamilton-Wenham swept Lynnfield 5-0 in late April. Lynnfield (16-7) knocked off Manchester Essex, the only team to top Hamilton-Wenham this year, in the semifinals.
Is Provost thinking about a Hamilton-Wenham four-peat?
“We’re going to miss the (eight) seniors a lot, but that’s the goal, yeah,” she said.