Ellie Kennedy ends three-hour marathon by securing perfect season for Division 2 girls' tennis champion Longmeadow
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Kennedy's win delivered a 3-2 triumph for top-ranked Longmeadow (24-0) at MIT's duPont Courts, sending home No. 2 Wayland (14-6) in a match that lasted more than three hours. The win secured consecutive undefeated seasons and state titles for the Lancers.
'She's one of the mentally toughest people I've ever met,' Framarin said of Kennedy. 'Forget mentally tough tennis player, she's just a mentally tough person. So she knew what she had to do. She stayed locked in. She played every point the same, and brought us a state title.'
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Longmeadow junior Ellie Kennedy walks off the court with the Division 2 trophy after her singles win clinched the Lancers' state title.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
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Kennedy spent most of the season playing on the Lancers' top doubles pairing, but Framarin shifted her to third singles. Though it was only her sixth time at singles this season, Kennedy was comfortable playing from the baseline and prevailed in numerous long rallies.
'I was especially nervous stepping into a singles role that I'm not used to,' Kennedy said. 'It was definitely tiring to keep falling down and having to fight, but I just [had to] not give up and keep pushing.'
Lancers senior Maia Oh (foreground) and junior Anaya Mohanicq persevered for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win at second doubles
Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Longmeadow's first point came at first doubles from juniors Kelci Talati and Nora McMahon, who topped Wayland senior Arya Samaratunga and junior Yumiko Niimi, 6-2, 6-0. At second doubles, Lancers senior Maia Oh and junior Anaya Mohani persevered for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, victory over Wayland juniors Emi Niimi and Ava Knourenko.
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Wayland dominated on the top two singles courts, with Warriors senior Bella Camacho notching a 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 1, and freshman Elena Tan rolling, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 2.
Wayland's Bella Camacho won in straight sets at first singles.
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Having spent the season handling the pressure of defending their state title, Framarain was especially proud of his team's consistency.
'These girls had the weight of the world on their shoulders after winning this thing last year, and they never blinked,' Framarin said. 'We've played so many of these close matches, and they've pulled out every single one. I got a really tough team.'
Wayland senior Olivia Todd battled to a three-set loss at third singles.
Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Matty Wasserman can be reached at
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