Vermont High School Tennis Championships Conclude
On June 12, the Vermont high school tennis season concluded with an exciting doubleheader featuring the Division I and II girls championships at Davis Park in Shelburne. The highlight of the day was the fiercely contested Division I final between the top-seeded South Burlington team and the second-seeded Champlain Valley (CVU), who enjoyed the advantage of competing on their home turf.
It all came down to a nail-biting finish, with the championship hinging on the outcome of the last singles match.
Division I Championship
Champlain Valley’s Rylee Makay found herself in a critical position against South Burlington’s Alyona Vulpe. The tension was palpable as the teams gathered to support their players during this decisive match. Although Vulpe won the second set 6-3, Makay, who had already excelled as the individual doubles champion earlier in the season, maintained her composure and took an early lead in the match tiebreaker. Ultimately, she secured the championship for CVU with a final score of 10-6 in the tiebreak, clinching a close 4-3 victory overall.
“I kind of knew based off of the cheers how close it was, but knowing we were the underdogs helped me stay calm,” remarked Makay after the match.
This victory signified a significant milestone for the Redhawks, marking their first championship title since 2019, despite making it to the finals in three consecutive seasons.
Earlier in the match, South Burlington had initially taken the lead with victories in the first two matches, but Champlain Valley responded with two wins, including a dramatic comeback by their first doubles team, Chapin Grobbs and Justyna Amblo. They turned a 6-0 deficit in the match tiebreaker into a triumphant 11-9 win, while junior Sara DiGuglielmo also pulled off a comeback in her singles match, putting the spotlight on Makay as the pivotal player.
Division II Championship
Meanwhile, in the Division II showdown, top-seeded Mount Mansfield Union (MMU) continued their winning streak, securing their third consecutive championship title by defeating No. 2 Burr and Burton 5-2. Senior Ava Poehlmann played a significant role in the victory, achieving a three-set comeback in her match to seal the team’s win. Poehlmann noted her satisfaction with the supportive atmosphere within their team, underscoring how MMU has prioritized inclusivity throughout their journey.
Senior Bea Molson, who recently claimed an individual championship, showcased her prowess as she won her match decisively. The Cougars approached their season without the pressure of defending a title, focusing instead on doing their best while leaving championship aspirations unaddressed until the season’s end. Poehlmann maintained this mindset, reminding herself to take the competition one point at a time, ultimately leading to their successful three-peat.
Championship Results
This year’s championships concluded the high school tennis season in Vermont with memorable moments, illustrating the blend of sportsmanship and competitive spirit that defines these student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence.
D-I Girls Tennis Championship Results at Davis Park:
- Champlain Valley (2) – 4, South Burlington (1) – 3
- Doubles: Grobbs/Amblo (C) def. Choekyi/Lamphier (SB) 4-6, 6-4, 11-9;
- DiGuglielmo (C) def. Clifford (SB) 6-3, 6-7(7-9), 10-7;
- Singles: DiGiulian (SB) def. Dauerman (C) 6-3, 6-2;
- Xia (SB) def. Peterson (C) 7-6(7-5), 2-6, 11-9;
- Toohey (C) def. Stein (SB) 7-6(7-4), 6-2;
- Makay (C) def. Vulpe (SB) 6-3, 3-6, 10-6.
D-II Girls Tennis Championship Results at Davis Park:
- Mount Mansfield (1) – 5, Burr and Burton (2) – 2
- Doubles: Ricketson/Galvani (M) def. Treat/Farray (B) 6-2, 6-0;
- Bisset/Fitzpatrick (M) def. Zinberg/Hutcheson (B) 6-0, 6-2.
- Singles: Molson (M) def. Correa (B) 6-2, 6-2;
- Hershberg (B) def. Carrick (M) 6-1, 6-3;
- First (M) def. Tully (B) 6-4, 6-1;
- Poehlmann (M) def. Bronstein (B) 2-6, 6-2, 10-8;
- Mait (B) def. Loeffler (M) 6-4, 6-1.
