The Tiverton Tigers girls’ tennis team is in a building year. Half the players are freshmen and with no seniors and new coaches, there are endless learning moments and  opportunities for progress. Tuesday evening, Oct. 3 in North Smithfield, the Tigers proved that they’re headed in the right direction.

The team came as close as its come this season to a near match win at first doubles, when they squared off against the Northmen on their home turf. In the first set, freshman rookies Caroline Durost and Brooke Sowa lost five to seven. Just starting to get their groove as a new doubles team, they were making a lot of the right moves, but still working out some new partner (and new tennis player!) kinks.

They turned it on in the second set and dominated 6-2 for their first set won as a team, and as individuals. Durost and Sowa won by playing to their aggressive net game and making their opponents work on every return. As it was the last individual match still going, and the overall result had been decided, the teams moved to a 10-game tie breaker rather than a third set.

Tiverton first doubles kept their game faces on and stayed in the match until the end. Every point was well earned by each team. With multiple rallies, Durost and Sowa pulled out from being down two to six in the tie breaker, but in the end fell shy 8-10. While a loss on paper, the match is a win for Tiverton as this powerhouse doubles team demonstrated a solid game of tennis. 

“It has been a joy to watch all the players grow and improve this season,” coaches Jess Cullinan ad Natasha Tavares said. “We love to see so much progress and promise. Come out  and support this hardworking team!”

The Tigers’ next home match is 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10.