The reconstituted J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls’ tennis team compiled a 7-3 record this fall. The 17-member strong squad was coached by Eric Triolo. It turned in some dazzling performances during its two month run.
The Finley team was reinstated over the summer by popular demand. Superintendent James W. Polansky and Huntington School Board members responded to the wishes of the community and by winning seven of ten meets, the players put an exclamation point on the decision.
Finley was led by singles players Bridget Callery, Ella Palatnek, Grace Gordon and Emma Polinsky and doubles players Riley Uvena and Grace Callery.
“Bridget is a very athletic player who played some of the best girls around,” said Triolo about his star eighth grader. “She works extremely hard and will be a great player in high school. She’s a pleasure to coach and will be missed.”
Palatnek compiled a 7-3 mark in singles as a seventh grader. “Ella improved each day,” Triolo said. “She works extremely hard and it showed in her matches. She had a great season. I’m looking forward to having her back next year.”
Another talented eighth grader, Gordon also finished with a 7-3 record in singles play. “Grace is extremely athletic,” Triolo said. “She did a great job all season and will be an asset to the high school next year. Grace was a pleasure to coach and will be missed.”
Polinsky went 6-4 in the No. 4 singles position as an eighth grader. “Emma was always looking to get better every day,” Triolo said. “She is a hard worker and a pleasure to coach and she won some big matches for us.”
Uvena, an eighth grader, teamed up with seventh grader Grace Callery in No. 1 doubles and the duo won six-of-nine matches. “They did a great job of working together,” Triolo said. “Riley had so much enthusiasm and was a team leader. She will be missed. We are excited to have Grace returning next fall.”
The team also received contributions to its success from seventh graders Katherine Gordon, Lila Kennelly, Alexandra Learned, Fiona Lynch, Dylan McKean, Jocelyn Thorbourne and Darcy Verville and eighth graders Olivia Kaufman, Kyra Larsen, Naomi Lyons and Grace Oliva.
“By far the best accomplishment of the season was beating Oldfield, 4-3 after losing to them earlier in the season,” Triolo said. “We had not previously beaten Oldfield during my tenure as a coach. The girls were so excited. This was one of the nicest, hardest working teams.”