Tennis: Frontier Regional girls aim for league title after win over Hampden Charter

SOUTH DEERFIELD — About midway through the season, the Frontier Regional girls tennis team has a chance to accomplish some lofty goals even with a roster built for the future.

After a 5-0 win over Hampden Charter on Monday afternoon, the Redhawks moved their record to 7-2. In the Pioneer conference, they are in the mix for a league championship.

The Redhawks split two matches with Pope Francis and beat Palmer. The next match with the Panthers on Thursday is pivotal to their chances at a league championship.

“We are competing for the league,” Frontier coach Andrew Varnon said. “And for making the Western Mass. tournament and the state tournament…I am really proud of the girls. They are playing really well.”

Frontier does not have any junior or seniors on the team.

“This is a team that has a future,” Varnon said. “But it’s starting to have a present. That’s really nice.”

The head of the spear is the No. 1 doubles team of freshmen Brooke Charest and Hailey Fernandez. The formidable duo hasn’t lost a regular season match since they began working with each other as eighth graders. The pair is 9-0 this season.

“Brooke (Charest) and Hailey (Fernandez) are a big part of our success,” Varnon said. “They set the tone for the team. They play with joy. They are often out there singing and dancing, clapping hands and having fun. I think that really speaks to who we are as a team. It’s first and foremost to me that tennis is fun.”

Both players have accurate groundstroke and service abilities. Charest and Fernandez dispatched Hampden Charter’s Zayshanet Cruz and Allison Sanchez, 6-0 6-0. Even with the victories mounting, the team works through things during matches.

“Communication and pushing each other up to keep working and keep going,” Charest said. “Not getting down on ourselves.”

Charest and Fernandez have fallen behind this season but in every instance they battled back to keep their perfect record intact. The duo works hard on keeping their emotions in check during a rigorous match against a tough opponent.

“Sometimes we get frustrated,” Fernandez said. “That’s when we don’t do too well. We just have to remember to keep a good mindset and that helps us do better.”

Charest and Fernandez’ relationship goes back beyond last season when they first playing doubles together.

“We’ve been playing together since seventh grade,” Fernandez said. “We work really well together.”

Charest’s instinct this season brings her to the net for a chance to volley the opponent but they are working on switching positions for versatility. Frontier lost last season in the Western Mass. Class B championship match. Charest and Fernandez got a win in No. 2 doubles in a state tournament loss against Lenox. A good mindset is important to playoff success for Charest and Fernandez.

“Keep working together and staying positive,” Charest said. “Our communication has been better during games.”

Elsewhere in the match against the Wolves, Thanushi Ratnatunge defeated Olivia Viennean in No. 1 singles 6-0, 6-0. In No. 2 singles, Kayla Fagan downed Adayiah Gladden 6-0, 6-0.

Ella Sibley picked up a win in No. 3 singles over Makayla Duford 6-0, 6-0. In No. 2 doubles, Esther Ehle and Jimin Ahn won by forfeit.