Girls’ Tennis

2009 Girls Tennis Recaps

9/14/09 - After a sturdy and promising preseason performance, the tennis team realized some of both their team and personal goals with a shut out match against Lenape Valley. Lenape’s formidable team brought three strong single players to the Blair courts, but they proved no match for Blair’s returning starters. Kelsey Vella won her match 6-1, 6-1 against Deanna Inez; Francesca Nestande won her match 6-0, 6-1 against Allyson Salmon; and Temi Fagbenle won her match 6-2, 6-1 against Bree Walz. In doubles action, Samantha Beck and Steph Gorman battled it out to win their first set 7-6 (7-5 in the tie break) and 6-0 in the second set. Jordan Beck and Samantha Ellsworth split sets, winning the first 6-2, but losing the second 3-6; however, she then came back to win 10-5 in the deciding super tie-breaker. Blair Tennis is off to a great start!

9/16/09 – The Bucs faced a difficult opponent in Pingry, but, in true Blair spirit, put forth a solid effort. Kelsey Vella emerged as the only victor, winning her number one singles match 6-1, 6-4 vs. Pingry’s Katie Ruesterholz. Francesca Nestande played some tough rallies despite losing 6-0, 6-1 against Natalie Batista. Temi Fagbenle suffered a disappointing loss (6-4, 6-2) after dominating for most of the first set against Morgan McCollum, but still brought her crushing serves to the match. The sisters Beck (Jordan and Samantha) played at the number one doubles spot and lost 6-0, 6-2 against Jacklyn Temares and Emily Combias, but they played some excellent points as a newly reunited pair. At number two doubles, Steph Gorman and Annie Kimmelman lost 6-0, 6-2 against Johanna Kreisbuch and Naomi Wong. Blair looks to rebound on Saturday as they face MKA on Thursday.

9/21/09 – Sparta brought a team of solid hitters to the Blair courts on Monday, but the Bucs held on for a close 3-2 victory. Kelsey Vella won in two straight sets over Sarah Hetzler (6-1, 6-2). At number 2, Fran Nestande lost to Sparta’s Jenny Konecnik 6-0, 6-4. Temi Fagbenle realized an impressive victory over Sharyce Wiland at number three, giving up only one game (6-1, 6-0). Steph Gorman and Sam Beck won the first set of their number one doubles 6-2, but then lost the next two sets 6-2, 6-4 to Sarah Konecnik and Kezia Santos. It all came down to number two doubles. Annie Kimmelman and Jordan Beck won their first set 6-4 and then played a nerve-racking second set tie-breaker, and winning 7-6 (14-12).

9/23/09 - In an epic Blair-Peddie battle, the Bucs emerged victorious, beating the Falcons 4-1. Number one Kelsey Vella gave away one game to Peddie’s Stephanie Tierney (6-1, 6-0). Fran Nestande beat Jacquie Greyserman 6-4, 6-2 and number two. In perhaps the most competitive match of the day, Temi Fagbenle beat Peddie’s powerhouse Stela Filipovic 7-6, 6-1; this was a well-played, composed match for Temi, who continues to be a force to be reckoned with at number three. The number one doubles team of Steph Gorman and Sam Beck lost 6-4, 6-4 to Megan Ruben and Charlotte Debrabandere, but Annie Kimmelman and Jordan Beck played well together and won their match 7-5, 6-3 against Peddie’s Morgan Leske and Louisa Borden. The Bucs (4-1) will take on Pennington (away) this Saturday.

9/26/09 – Another sweep for Bucs tennis! Kelsey Vella continued her undefeated season by beating Pennington’s Axe Owens in two straight sets (6-1, 6-0). At number two singles, senior Francesca Nestande defeated Leah Schaeffer 6-4, 6-1. Temitope Fagbenle also came away with a solid 6-1, 6-1 match against Ali Mullane. Jordan and Samantha Beck teamed up once again to beat Emily Pressman and Emily Schreiber 6-2, 6-2. At number two doubles, Annie Kimmelman and Stephanie Gorman won 7-6 (9-7), 6-4. Blair takes on Newark Academy next week at home.

9/29/09 – Going into the match with a 4-1 record, Blair took on the formidable Newark Academy team on Tuesday. At number one singles, Kelsey Vella defeated Molly Atler 6-1, 6-2 in a great display of sportsmanship. At number two, Fran Nestande beat Allie Cohen 6-3, 6-2. To complete a sweep in singles for another big win, Temi Fagbenle won the first set 6-1 against Newark’s Sasha Reznikova, but then gave the crowd some entertainment as she just nearly avoided going into a third set winning 7-6 (7-3). The Beck tandem (Jordan and Samantha) lost 2-6, 2-6 against the undefeated team of Allie Eatrott and Emily Heller, and Annie Kimmelman and Steph Gorman also lost to the talented team of Katie Bu and Erica Jacobs 0-6, 2-6.

9/30/09 – Blair continued their winning streak today by beating Mount Saint Mary 5-0. Number one Kelsey Vella gave up only one game to Mount Saint Mary’s Katy Keane (6-1, 6-0). At number two, Francesca Nestande also only lost one game to Christine Shanahan (6-0, 6-1). At three, Temitope Fagbenle came away with an impressive 6-0, 6-0 win over Kelsey Mulhern. The Bucs also came back from a slight doubles slump with two wins; Jordan and Samantha Beck beat Jackie Damiano and Elyse Chu 6-4, 6-1, and Annie Kimmelman and Stephanie Gorman triumphed over Michelle Barre and Shaina Brande 6-0, 6-2. The Bucs look forward to adding injured player Samantha Ellsworth back into the lineup for Friday’s match against Stuart Country Day.

10/2/09 – Number one Kelsey Vella came away with another win over Stuart Country Day's Alex Abad in two straight sets (6-2, 6-2). Francesca Nestande played a tough match against Marielle Mahan, losing 4-6, 3-6. Samantha Beck played at the number three spot and clinched an impressive 6-2, 7-6 win over Katherine Hagestad. Stephanie Gorman and Annie Kimmelman lost 3-6, 1-6 to the strong team of Alexa Crivelli/Gloria Paul. Samantha Ellsworth and Jordan Beck played well together and sealed the win for Blair with a victory over Jen Liu and Glorie Paul.

10/7/09 - Despite the extremely gusty conditions, Blair came away with a shut-out win over Rutger's Prep at the Cedar Hills Club. Kelsey Vella beat Samantha Schapiro 6-3, 7-6. At number two, Temi Fagbenle beat Blessie Banayat 6-0, 6-2. Fran Nestande beat Christine Andre in two straight love sets. The Beck sisters (Jordan and Samantha) played out a long match, but came away with a close win over Niki Kakarfa and Caroline Syms. At number two doubles, Steph Gorman and Samantha Ellsworth beat Givlia Accurso and Courtney McNevin 6-3, 6-1. The Bucs go into Saturday's MAPL match against Mercersburg with an impressive 8-1 record.

10/10/09 - Blair played the first MAPL match of the season tonight in a home match under the lights. The Bucs thrived on the energy coming from the nearby football game/massive fan base and pulled out a 5-2 victory. Kelsey Vella teamed up with Temi Fagbenle for number one doubles vs. Mercersburg's Nikki Wolny and Sarah Allen and lost in a close 9-7 pro-set. At number two, Fran Nestande and Samantha Beck beat Julianna Dahbura and Claire Sabol 8-4. Stephanie Gorman and Jordan Beck won 8-0 over Nerissa Lam and Michaella Hoehn-Saric, giving Blair the doubles point.

Kelsey Vella played well, but lost 2-6, 3-6 to the formidable Nikki Wolny. Temi Fagbenle beat Sarah Allen in two straight love sets. At number three, Fran Nestande bested Julianna Dahbura 6-1, 6-1. Samantha Beck beat Claire Sabol 6-1, 6-1. At number five, Stephanie Gorman split sets versus Nerissa Lam and then lost in a tough 7-10 super tie-break. Rounding out the match, Jordan Beck won 6-1, 6-0 over the Blue Storm's Michaella Hoehn-Saric.

10/14/09 - The Bucs faced a difficult match today against Kent Place (13-1). Without Kelsey Vella, who is nursing a knee injury, the lineup changed to have Temi Fagbenle play at the number one singles spot; she held her own against Kent Place's Amanda Kusnierz, and she played some fantastic points before losing 2-6, 3-6. At number two, Fran Nestande also played a heated match against Geena DeRose despite losing 0-6, 3-6. Samantha Beck lost 3-6, 1-6 to the talented Erin McDonnell at number three. Stephanie Gorman and Jordan Beck lost their number one singles match 2-6, 2-6 to Kent Place's Kelsh Keim and Jen Dranetz. At number two, Annie Kimmelman and Samantha Ellsworth--both recently back in the competitive lineup--lost 0-6, 3-6. Blair looks to recoup and practice hard before Saturday's match against Hun.

The JV tennis team strives every day to become better players and improve their skills with enthusiasm and a good mix of fun. The team is in the midst of a rebuilding season with a whopping eleven new girls (Marta Garcia, Emi LaFountain, Hannah Declercq, Wow Chiaravanont, Samantha Kall, Forrest Gallagher, Beatrice Wu, Tamara Mizrachi, Hannah Kirby, Bridgit Reeve, and Melody Shao) added to the team of five veteran players (Maggie Joest, Kathleen Kennedy, Jane McConnell, Kate Anello, and Lisa Brix) this year.

We have faced some excellent teams this season and our record shows a few recent highlights. The team was victorious over Rutgers Prep and Stuart Country Day with stellar performances by first, second, and third singles players Maggie Joest, Jane McConnell, and Kate Anello, respectively, as well as the ever rotating doubles teams of Emi LaFountain, Marta Garcia, Hannah Declercq, Lisa Brix and Wow Chiaravanont.

10/19/09 - Blair swept Hun in the doubles portion of this close MAPL match. Kelsey Vella and Temi Fagbenle beat Kara Shoemaker and Ali Dutchman 8-6 in at number one. At number two, Fran Nestande and Sam Beck beat Hun’s Katie Seitz and Maddie Chapin 9-7, and at number three, Annie Kimmelman and Sam Ellsworth beat Sydney Seitz and Lexie Gray 8-6.

In singles, Vella lost to Shoemaker 2-6, 0-6. Nestande played a tough match against K. Seitz despite losing in a third set tiebreaker (6-3, 5-7). Fagbenle, playing at number three today, also fell in a third set tie breaker versus Dutchman (1-6, 6-2). The bottom three singles pulled out the match for Blair with S. Beck defeating Chapin 6-2, 6-1; Stephanie Gorman defeating S. Seitz 6-1, 6-1; and Jordan Beck defeating Gray (7-6, 6-1).

10/20/09 - After beating Newton during a preseason scrimmage, Blair honored a request for a rematch on our home courts today. At number one, Kelsey Vella beat Newton’s Meghan Muccilli 6-0, 6-0. Temi Fagbenle beat Newton’s #2 player, Caley Mihesell 6-1, 6-0. At number three, Francesca Nestande beat Casey Gallagher 6-1, 6-4. In doubles, the Beck sisters (Jordan and Samantha) beat Megan Couillard and Bridget Stewart 6-3, 6-1, and the dream team of Stephanie Gorman and Samatha Ellsworth took down Alexa McFadden and Heather Hannam 6-0, 6-1.

10/22/09 - Number one singles superstar Kesley Vella beat Mo-Beard’s Caroline Gaffney in two straight love sets today. At number two, Temi Fagbenle gave up only one game to Emily Young before winning 6-0, 6-1. Fran Nestande beat Newton’s number three Emily Gruenberg 6-2, 6-2. The Beck sisters (Jordan and Samantha) remain untouchable at the number one doubles spot, defeating Jill Raia/Jaynie Siegel 6-3, 6-2. Rounding out the match, Annie Kimmelman/Stephanie Gorman beat Gina Firelli and Megan Reiling 6-4, 6-3.

10/25/09 - States @ Lawrenceville
Ranked 4th in the #1 singles bracket, Kelsey Vella defeated Oak Knoll’s player (ranked #5) 6-2, 6-1. She then faced the #1 seed from Princeton Day and lost 2-6, 7-5, 3-6 in the second round.

Ranked 6th in the #2 singles bracket, Temitope Fagbenle beat Hun’s second singles player (ranked # 3) 6-3, 7-5. She then fell 6-4, 6-1 to the #2 seed player from Lawrenceville.

Ranked 5th in the #3 singles bracket, Francesca Nestande beat the # 4 seed from MSD 6-2, 6-0. She then lost 6-1, 6-1 to Lawrenceville’s #1 thirds singles seed.

Jordan and Samantha Beck were ranked 4th in the #1 doubles bracket and beat Hun (ranked # 5) 7-6, 6-4 before losing to Princeton Day’s # 1 seed team in the second round.

Stephanie Gorman and Samantha Ellsworth were ranked 6th in the #2 doubles bracket, and suffered a loss in the first round to Oak Knoll’s # 3 seed team, 7-5, 6-2.

10/31/09 - Rainy conditions made this a tough match for both teams. Kelsey Vella/Temi Fagbenle lost 3-8 to Hill’s solid tandem of Olivia Walton and Samantha Betts. Francesca Nestande and Samantha Beck earned the only doubles win for Blair, beating Daniela Hunter and Anita Venkalesh 8-6. At the number three doubles spot, Stephanie Gorman and Samantha Ellsworth lost 7-9 despite leading for most of the match.

Vella and Walton got in their number one singles match (2-6, 0-6) before the match was moved to the indoor courts; all other matches had to be finished inside due to slick court conditions. Blair’s number two Fagbenle earned the only win for the Bucs today; she won the first set 6-4, and her opponent, Hill’s Hunter had to forfeit after sustaining a leg injury from a fall on the wet courts. Nestande lost 2-6, 1-6 to S. Betts. S. Beck forfeited her number four singles match to Hana Betts after the outcome of the match had already been determined. J. Beck lost her number five singles match to a very consistent Catherine Anderson 1-6, 1-6. Annie Kimmelman also forfeited her number six singles match to Mia Park after losing the first set on the indoor courts.

11/7/09 - A strong Lawrenceville team swept the Bucs in doubles today. Kelsey Vella and Temitope Fagbenle fell 2-8 to Betsy Edershile and Alex Ferrara in #1 doubles. At number two, Francesca Nestande and Samantha Beck lost 1-8 against Lawrenceville’s Sojung Lee and Melissa Duan. In the most competitive match of the day, Blair’s Jordan Beck and Samantha Ellsworth lost 7-9 against Kylie Laulfer and Katie Hawkins at #3.

In singles, Vella lost in two straight sets to Edershile, 4-6, 5-7 despite some top-notch rallies. Fagbenle lost to Ferrara 7-6, 2-6, but threw down some remarkable aces. Nestande played one of her best net games before losing 3-6, 2-6 to Lee. Samantha Beck and Mari Nitta played out some intense points before the match went to Nitta at the # 4 spot. Jordan Beck lost 2-6, 3-6 to Lawrenceville’s Sanibel Chai 2-6, 3-6. Pulling out the only win for Blair, Samantha Ellsworth played her best match to date and beat Katherine Foley 7-6, 6-2. The Bucs look to wrap up their winning season against rival Peddie this Saturday.

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