DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
UNIONDALE – Norwell flipped a loss at No. 3 singles three weeks ago into a win and a sectional title Thursday, beating Bellmont 3-2 to win the Knights’ second sectional crown in four years.
Much like the regular season matchup, Norwell took an early lead with convincing wins in both doubles matchups, while Liv Selking took care of business at the top singles spot.
That left the results up to No. 2 and No. 3 singles.
Emy Faurote won again in three sets, like she had done in the regular season, but it was Delaney Hoover for Norwell who made the difference.
“The girls were extremely close,” explained coach Kyle Arnold. “Delaney Hoover edged Leila for the team win. Their match could not have been closer.”
Hoover won the first set in the tiebreaker, going all the way to 9-7 to take it. Jin was one point away from sending the second set to a tiebreak as well.
“I could not be prouder of Leila, though,” said Arnold after the team’s season came to an end. “She gave everything she had and played very well against a strong and worthy opponent.”
Arnold’s season as a coach is not over, however, as Selking was unbeaten this week and will advance as an individual.
“Credit to Norwell,” he said. “All of their players pushed our girls to their limits tonight. Emy (Faurote) ended her career with a 3-0 sectionals week and she fought all the way back tonight to make that happen.”
Arnold was unsure as to when and whom Selking would have to play next, but it will likely be Monday or Tuesday before she faces a new opponent.
“While we didn’t finish the way we had hoped, the season was by no means a failure,” said the first-year girls coach. “With a 15-5 overall record and wins against AC, Norwell and Leo during the regular season, we accomplished a lot of the goals we had set.”
Arnold, who is now at the helm of both boys and girls tennis at Bellmont, is excited for the future.
“I know the girls had a blast and we laid a lot of groundwork for the future of the program.”
Varsity Results
No. 1-Olivia Selking (B) d. Addy Heyerly, 6-3, 6-2
No. 2-Emy Faurote (B) d. McKenna McNabb, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
No. 3-Delaney Hoover (N) d. Leila Jin, 7-6, 7-5
No. 1-Annabelle Johnson/Macy Felger (N) d. Isabelle Ortiz/Marisol Jackson, 6-2, 6-1
No. 2-Jordyn Xayyachack/Macie Saalfrank (N) d. Alyssa Coffey/Kaelyn Snyder, 6-2, 6-0