Latest news with #Wellesley
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
MIAA girls' lacrosse tournament: Favorites, sleepers, and players to watch for Divisions 1-4
Favorites: No. 1 Concord-Carlisle, No. 2 Wellesley. Sleepers: No. 7 Franklin, No. 11 King Philip. Related : Players to watch: midfielder/attack Kassidy Carmichael (Westford, Sr.), midfielder Allie Collins (Lincoln-Sudbury, Sr.), attack Olivia Comella (Wellesley, Sr.), midfielder/attack Kerri Finneran (Central Catholic, Sr.), midfielder Karleigh Mutch (Concord-Carlisle, Sr.). Best first-round matchup: Friday (5 p.m.), No. 17 Bishop Feehan at No. 16 Peabody. Longest road trip: Thursday (5 p.m.), No. 28 Barnstable at No. 5 North Andover; 99.1 miles. Analysis: The Division 1 champion is going to earn it. With star power at the top and depth all over, this field is a particularly impressive one. The University of Denver-bound Mutch (64 goals, 111 draw controls) will look to steer the top-seeded Patriots to their first state title. Comella (86 goals), who will play at Arizona State, and the No. 2 Raiders may be their biggest challenger. No. 3 Lincoln-Sudbury, No. 4 Chelmsford, and No. 5 North Andover are also dangerous, and Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Related : Advertisement Division 2 Favorites: No. 1 Notre Dame (Hingham), No. 2 Walpole, No. 3 Westwood. Sleepers: No. 6 Duxbury, No. 7 East Longmeadow. Players to watch: midfielder Caroline Haggerty (NDA, Sr.), midfielder Grace Maroney (Hingham, Sr.), midfielder Caitlyn Naughton (Walpole, Sr.), midfielder/attack Caroline Nozzolillo (Westwood, Sr.), midfielder Megan Shanahan (Reading, Sr.). Best first-round matchup: Friday (5 p.m.), No. 17 Hopkinton at No. 16 Methuen. Advertisement Longest road trip: Monday (5 p.m.), No. 20 Dartmouth at No. 13 West Springfield; 119.1 miles. Analysis: Division 2 is just as stacked as Division 1 at the top, with each of the top eight seeds capable of making a deep run. Both North Carolina-bound senior Emma Connerty of NDA and Quinnipiac-bound senior Emilie DeMaio of Westwood are sidelined with ACL tears, but both rosters are loaded with talent. Shanahan, Libby Quinn, and Molly Trahan Related : Division 3 Favorites: No. 1 Medfield, No. 2 Newburyport. Sleepers: No. 9 Bishop Fenwick, No. 11 Ursuline. Players to watch: attack Reese Bromby (Newburyport, Sr.), midfielder Izzy Kittredge (Medfield, Jr.), midfielder Maddy Lubov (Ursuline, Jr.), midfielder/attack Cece Levrault (Apponequet, Sr.), midfielder/attack Cate Noone (Foxborough, Sr.). Best first-round matchup: Thursday (5 p.m.), No. 17 Archbishop Williams at No. 16 Nauset. Longest road trip: Thursday (4 p.m.), No. 33 Martha's Vineyard at No. 32 Groton-Dunstable; 132.2 miles. Analysis: This year's field features the same top two seeds as last year, as Related : Division 4 Favorites: No. 1 Cohasset, No. 2 Ipswich, No. 3 Norwell. Advertisement Sleepers: No. 7 Pentucket, No. 8 Nantucket. Players to watch: goalie Brigid Carovillano (Manchester Essex, Sr.), attack Lyla Greenleaf (Ipswich, Jr.), midfielder Reese Hansen (Cohasset, Sr.), midfielder/attack Mayson Lower (Nantucket, Sr.), midfielder Holly Panttila (Norwell, Sr.). Best first-round matchup: Friday (5:30 p.m.), No. 20 Mashpee at No. 13 Tyngsborough. Longest road trip: Saturday (1 p.m.), No. 25 Wahconah at No. 8 Nantucket; 232.8 miles. Analysis: Related : Trevor Hass can be reached at
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
College Baby Names That Will Really Make the Grade
Turning toward institutions of higher learning may not be your first thought when looking for baby name inspo, but why not? Choosing a college is hard — but choosing a college baby name is easy. There are so many good ones: unique, distinguished, with an air of prestige and selectivity and an upper-crust feel. Many college names automatically evoke certain impressions and qualities; when you think of a Harvard grad, for example, do you think of an unmotivated slacker? Probably not. You may want to pay homage to your own college days, and the places and activities (and hard work!) that defined your early adulthood. Maybe your family prides itself on a long lineage of proud university grads. Or maybe no one in your family has gone to college at all, but you're hoping that giving your child a college baby name will inspire them to change things for the next generation. That's not really so farfetched; according to a 2023 article in Psychology Today, '[T]he study of names can provide valuable insights into phenomena ranging from cultural change to stereotypes. Our names may also be cues that shape not only others' perceptions of us but also our personality and (perhaps) our choices about where to live and what to do for a living.' And let's be honest: some college names just sound cool. Wellesley. Duke. Trinity. They're crisp, confident, and packed with personality. Others, like Baylor or Merit, straddle the line between buttoned-up and edgy, giving your baby a name that feels as wearable on a playground as it does in a boardroom. Will naming your child after a prestigious college or university impart a love of learning and a drive to achieve great things academically? Will it serve as a constant reminder of their potential and encourage them to strive for excellence? Who knows — but whether your baby is a future Rhodes Scholar or ends up embarking on a no-college-required career path, they'll have a distinctive name with a dignified vibe. More from SheKnows PSA to Parents: Why Your High School Graduate May Be 'Soiling the Nest' Right Now Best of SheKnows Michelle Obama's Best Mom Quotes — Because We Could All Use a Dose of Her Wisdom These Art Deco Girl Names Embody the Perfect Blend of Modern Elegance & Vintage Glam There's Something So Beautiful About the Bond Between Brothers Trinity College is a prestigious liberal arts college located in Hartford, Connecticut, founded in 1823 and known for its rigorous academics, vibrant campus life, and historic New England charm. As a name, it's drawn from the English word symbolizing the Christian concept of a unified divine nature expressed in three distinct forms — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — also known as 'The Holy Trinity.' England's Oxford University predates even the Magna Carta — a testament to humanity's thirst for knowledge. Its origins can be traced back as far as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world. In the year 1167, King Henry II prohibited English students from attending the University of Paris, sending a wave of new scholars to Oxford. This influx fueled the university's rapid expansion, and it's still held in high regard today. The name Oxford is a British surname which means 'oxen crossing.' It might not be the name of a college — but this nature name actually fits very well into the college baby name theme. Why? Because the most prestigious universities in the U.S. — and the world — are called 'Ivy League' schools. In October 1933, sports writer for the New York Herald Tribune Stanley used the term 'ivy colleges' to describe the similar athletic programs at Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale. The association with ivy most likely stems from the popular 19th-century practice of planting ivy, an evergreen plant symbolic of growth, on college campuses in a celebration known as 'Ivy Day.' The oldest continuously-operating university in Texas (and one of the first west of the Mississippi River), Baylor University is a private Christian research university officially established in 1845. The school is known for its nationally-ranked graduate and professional education programs, recognized by The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a 'Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity' institution, which makes it part of the nation's top-tier research schools. The name Baylor itself is likely an Americanized version of the German surname Beiler, coming from beile, which means 'measuring stick.' And in a landscape of similar-sounding baby names like Taylor and Bailey, Baylor stands out and fits in at the same time! Boston College is a private university located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Established in 1863, it's known for its academic excellence as well as its mission-driven focus on ethics, leadership, and social justice. Of course, you can't say 'Boston' without thinking of the iconic city — but did you know what its name means? It's said to mean 'Botswulf's stone.' Botswulf is a 7th-century British abbot for whom the city is supposedly named. And Botswulf comes from Old English elements meaning 'improvement' and 'wolf.' This name is derived from a Norman French surname meaning 'large' or 'grand.' But when it comes to university-inspired baby names, this is one everybody will be on board with, since a 'grant' in college terms is a form of tuition assistance that doesn't have to be paid back. Cha-ching! Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts is a private women's liberal arts college founded in 1870. It's known for its beautiful campus and emphasis on leadership — and for the fact that its alumni includes notables such as Hillary Clinton, Diane Sawyer, and Madeleine Albright. Wellesley itself is a surname, and likely comes from the Middle English wille, meaning 'well' (as in the water kind). The -ley suffix indicates a meadow or clearing, so Wellesley was probably used to indicate someone who lived in a clearing with a well. Honor doesn't have to be the name of a college to be a college name — because everybody knows graduating with honors is the ultimate goal! This is a beautiful virtue name that comes from a Late Latin word meaning 'esteemed.' The word 'valedictorian' comes directly from the Latin phrase vale dicere, which means 'to say farewell.' So even though we automatically equate it with the top-performing student in a graduating class, it actually doesn't have anything to do with grades; technically, it's the person who delivers the farewell address. Either way, we think Val is a perfect college-inspired name — it's great for any gender, and beautifully short and simple (no one will ever mispronounce it!). Like Wellesley, Emerson is also private liberal arts college in Massachusetts — though it's in Boston, and not just for women. It was founded in 1880 as the Boston Conservatory of Elocution, Oratory, and Dramatic Art, and to this day is the only four-year institution in the United States that's devoted exclusively to the studies of communication and the arts. The name Emerson means 'son of Emery' — and Emery is derived from the German name Emmerich, meaning 'brave king.' Though it can be used as a boy name, it's currently a smidge more popular for girls; according to data from the U.S. Social Security Administration, it's in the top 200 most popular names for girls. But for boys, it isn't far behind, ranking at #271 at last count. There are actually three institutions commonly called Bristol University: one in Bristol, England; one in Anaheim, California; and one in Bristol, Tennessee. But the oldest is University of Bristol in England — which received a royal charter in 1909, but can actually be traced back to around 1595! Considered by many to be in the UK's 'Ivy League' category, it routinely ranks among Britain's top 10 universities. The name Bristol is an English place name meaning 'site of the bridge.' A less-obvious nod to university life, but still perfectly befitting of this list of college baby names — because everyone wants a merit scholarship! A merit scholarship is financial aid awarded to a student because of their academic achievements. This virtue name comes from the Latin word meritus, meaning 'deserving.' It can also be spelled with a couple of double letters: Merritt. While California's UC Berkeley is not considered Ivy League, it is considered one of the top public universities in the nation, if not the world. Its admissions are very selective, with a current acceptance rate of just over 11 percent. As a name, Berkeley is a variant of the surname Barclay, which means 'birch clearing.' If you know anything about college or university, you know that the position of Dean is held in pretty high regard. The Dean heads up a college or school within a university, and is responsible for academic leadership, program management, faculty oversight, and fiscal matters. And of course, being on the Dean's List is a big deal; it's an academic award or distinction given to students who demonstrate a high level of scholarship. As a name, Dean is derived from the Middle English word dene, meaning 'valley.' The University of Cambridge (located in, you guessed it, Cambridge, England) is another prestigious higher learning institution with a rich history — it was founded in 1209, making it the world's third-oldest university in continuous operation. As a name, its meaning is unsurprising; it means 'bridge over the River Cam' which is a river that flows through the town of Cambridge and meets up with the Thames in London. And in addition to being Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince William and Kate Middleton are also the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. St. Francis Xavier University — also known as StFX — is located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and is one of Canada's oldest and most respected undergraduate institutions. Founded in 1853, StFX is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, small class sizes, and a vibrant campus life that fosters a strong sense of community among students. The name Xavier comes from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning 'the new house.' … New dorm, maybe?! For this one we're thinking of Cal Poly, of course — California Polytechnic State University, if you wanna get technical. A polytechnic university is an institution of higher education that focuses on applied sciences, engineering, and technology. Sounds futuristic, but Cal Poly was actually founded in 1901! It's very competitive, with only about 30% of applicants making it in. The name Cal could be a nickname for Calvin, Caledon, Caleb, etc. — but we think its unisex simplicity can easily stand alone! Established as a men's Methodist college in 1856, Auburn is now one of the largest public colleges in the south (and widely considered one of the most conservative). The university has a longstanding annual tradition called 'Hey Day,' when students wear name tags and greet every other student and faculty member they come across with the Auburn greeting, 'War Eagle.' Auburn is a great unisex name with a similar sound as Aubrey, and a color name that's more unique than Amber. Given its reddish-brown hue, it could make a beautiful fall baby name as well! Founded in 1836, Atlanta's Emory University may not be as big as the Ivy League schools, but it has been called one of the 'New Ivies' (a term coined by Newsweek in 2006 to refer to a college that ranks highly in terms of academics, even if it doesn't reach the size or elite status of an Ivy League). Emory is renowned for its diversity of academic choices, and is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of only about 11%. Like Emerson, the name Emory comes from the German name Emmerich, meaning 'brave king.' West Virginia's Marshall University, founded as Marshall Academy in 1837, is known for its gorgeous campus — but it also has a strong academic reputation, and is one of the most affordable universities in the United States. The name Marshall is a surname, originally used to designate someone who was a marshal, or an officer of the law. Marshal itself is derived from the Old French mareschal, which meant a stable officer (the word is comprised of the elements marah and scalc, meaning 'horse' and 'servant,' respectively). Founded in 1885, Bryn Mawr College is one of the group of colleges collectively known as the 'Seven Sisters' — they're historically all-female schools. Known for its forward-thinking attitude and progressive stances on women's education, Bryn Mawr was the first women's college to offer a graduate (Ph.D.) program. It was also the first college in the nation to offer a doctorate in Social Work. The words bryn mawr literally mean 'large hill' in Welsh; bryn is the part that means 'hill.' Chances are, you've heard the term 'Rhodes scholar' — that's because Oxford University's Rhodes Scholarship program is not only one of the oldest in the world (established in 1902), but also one of the most highly prestigious. This international program has awarded scholarships to students who have become notable scientists, doctors, authors, politicians, entrepreneurs, and Nobel Prize winners. Like many surnames-turned-first-names, Rhodes is an English topographical name meaning 'cleared land.' Ask any college student and they'll tell you the most-asked question they get about their education is 'What's your major?' So when it comes to college baby names, this one is definitely appropriate! As a name, Major comes from the Germanic Malger, meaning 'court spear.' And of course there's the English word 'major,' meaning 'significant.' The Pennsylvania State University might be this school's proper name, but most people know it better as Penn State! A top-ranked research university founded in 1855, it boasts the Hershey Medical Center (named after Milton S. Hershey — yes, the founder of Hershey's chocolate!) and is renowned for its school spirit (go, Nittany Lions!). Like most of these college baby names, Penn is the transferred use of a surname, and it means 'hilltop.' Alma might be a less-obvious homage to college life, but an homage nonetheless. Because the college or university one graduates from is their … alma mater! That's a Latin phrase which literally means 'nourishing mother.' Alma is also the Spanish word for 'soul,' which gives another layer to its meaning. And it has experienced a big boost in popularity over the past few years, rising from a low of #875 out of the top 1000 most popular baby names in 2011 (per the U.S. Social Security Administration) to its most recent rank of #482. This is due to the resurgence of 'grandma names' coming back into vogue! Founded in 1746 and consistently ranked among the top ten universities in the world, the Ivy League Princeton University in — you guessed it — Princeton, New Jersey is known for its unparalleled programs in fields such as computer science, math, engineering, and economics. It's also home to a breathtaking campus (some say it looks more like a park) and stunning architecture designed by some of the United States' most renowed architects. The name Princeton literally means 'prince town' — Princeton, New Jersey is said to have been named after Prince William of Orange and Nassau. Given the recent surge in names like King and Saint, it isn't hard to see why the nickname Prince would be a great choice — or Princeton could be used in its entirety as a dignified-sounding middle name. One of the nation's younger universities, Duke was officially founded in 1924 by James Buchanan Duke as a memorial for his father. It's a highly-selective university, with only about a 6.3% acceptance rate. Duke's School of Medicine and School of Nursing are considered leading institutions for medical and nursing education — and it's also well known for its law program. The name Duke comes from the same noble title, which itself stems from the Latin dux, meaning 'leader.' Delta is the name of the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet: Δ. But in college terms, it's seen in the name of many different sororities and fraternities such as Delta Sigma Theta, Delta Tau Delta, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Phi Omega, etc. Really, any of these could theoretically be a name — Alpha or Omega, for example. But out of all the Greek letters, Delta is the most familiar sounding as a name since it's actually used as one. Among the top 77 research universities in the United States, Ohio's Kent State University has many award-winning academic programs; its Liquid Crystal Institute (LCI) is known for the innovation that led to the flat panel display industry. It is also known for its beautiful — and most importantly, safe — campus. The name Kent is an English surname that is likely derived from an old Brittonic word meaning 'coast' or 'edge. It's not a big institution, but we love its name! Quincy University is a private Catholic liberal arts institution located in Quincy, Illinois, established in 1860 by Franciscan friars as St. Francis Solanus College. The name Quincy comes from the Roman given name Quintus, which means 'fifth' in Latin. This would be a perfect name for a fifth child — but it doesn't have to be numerically meaningful to still be a perfect name! Wrapping up our college baby names is Sage — which is literally a word meaning 'wise person' (or, you know, an herb … but this isn't that kind of roundup). And since the goal of college is to gain wisdom, we think Sage is the perfect way to cap (and gown) off our college name roundup. It's straightforward, meaningful, and great for any gender.
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Westford's Maddie Smith wins friendly over Concord-Carlisle's Erika Redmond at MIAA North/Central/West golf sectional
Maddie Smith (left) is congratulated by friend and opponent Erika Redmond after winning the individual title at the MIAA North/Central/West sectional by one stroke. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe A friend broke the news after the round that Smith, who shot a 2-over-par 74, won the individual title and Redmond's 75 score was good for second place. Advertisement 'We're great friends,' Smith said. 'We play a lot of tournaments over the summer together. We're on the US National Development team for Massachusetts together. We play a lot of golf together. It's always a great time. So I was, honestly, when I looked at the tee sheet and saw I was playing with her, I was really excited.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Concord-Carlisle senior Erika Redmond went 3-over to finish second. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Redmond and Smith played in the fall for their respective schools during the boys' golf season. Smith, whose sisters golf at Central Florida (Molly) and Georgia (Morgan), earned an The pair even teed off at The Haven during the boys' state tournament, aiding their performance Wednesday, even though the distances were longer and the pins were in different locations seven months ago. Advertisement 'It's definitely a completely different game,' Redmond said. Wellesley golfers (from left) Jenna Saini, Alika Lavu, Denise Pan, and Ruby Savarese teamed up to win the North/Central/West girls' golf sectional championship at The Haven Country Club in Boylston. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe On the team side, Wellesley won with a combined score of 358. Wachusett finished second (373) and Nashoba Regional (399) was third, edging out fourth-place Hopkinton's 400 for the final team spot at the state meet. Wellesley won it without placing a golfer in the top 15. Alika Lavu and Denise Pan tied for 16th with matching scores of 86, and Jenna Saini and Ruby Savarese both carded 93s. Related : 'We are lucky that we have a group of girls at the high school that really want to play golf,' Wellesley coach Ken Bateman said. 'We've had that for a number of years, and we kind of justbuild on that each year.' There will be 37 golfers and six schools, Wellesley's Denise Pan tees off on the fifth hole on her way to a tie for 16th place. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Westfield's Lauren Connor finished fifth with a 6-over 78. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Ruby Savarese helped Wellesley win the team title with her 93. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Wellesley's Alika Lavu kicks up some turf as she follows through on a tee shot on the 17th hole. She finished at 14-over in a tie for 16th place. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Massachusetts state championships schedule for spring sports
With April vacation in the rearview and Memorial Day around the corner, it's time to start thinking about the playoffs. The spring postseason often feels like summer, and there are more sports to track than ever. Now that the initial batch of power rankings are out, we are entering the stretch run. Here is when every sport starts its postseason and where the athletes will compete: Baseball Cut-off date: Monday, May 26 Advertisement Bracket release: Wednesday, May 28 Preliminary round: Friday, May 30 (can be played Thursday, May 29 if both athletic directors agree) Round of 32: Sunday, June 1 or Monday, June 2 Round of 16: Wednesday, June 4 or Thursday, June 5 Quarterfinals: Saturday June 7 or Sunday, June 8 Semifinals: Tuesday, June 10 or Wednesday, June 11 State finals: Friday, June 13 and Saturday June 14 Softball Cut-off date: Monday, May 26 Bracket release: Wednesday, May 28 The Hopedale Raiders celebrate in left field after defeating Millis, 5-1, in the Division 5 round of 16 game at Mellen Field in Hopedale, June 4, 2024. Tournament begins: Friday, May 30 (can be played Thursday, May 29 if both athletic directors agree) Finals: Friday, June 13 and Saturday June 14 Lacrosse Cut-off date: Monday, May 26 Advertisement Bracket release: Wednesday, May 28 Tournament begins: Friday, May 30 (can be played Thursday, May 29 if both athletic directors agree) State finals: June 13-15 Last year: Wellesley girls lacrosse can't catch up to Central Catholic in D1 state championship game Track & field Division 1: Thursday, May 29 and Saturday, May 31 at Tufts University, Somerville Division 2: Thursday, May 29 and Saturday, May 31 at Merrimack College, North Andover Division 3: Friday, May 30 and Sunday, June 1 at Westfield State University Division 4: Friday, May 30 and Sunday, June 1 at Merrimack College, North Andover Division 5: Thursday, May 29 and Saturday, May 31 at Westfield State University Advertisement Division 6: Friday, May 30 and Sunday, June 1 at Tufts University, Somerville Meet of Champions: Thursday, June 5 and Saturday, June 7 at Fitchburg State Tennis Cut-off date: Wednesday, May 21 Bracket release: Friday, May 23 Tournament begins: Tuesday, May 27 (games can be played as early as May 24 if both athletic directors agree) First singles Kaden Chen of Westborough holds up the Division 2 state tennis championship trophy after defeating Duxbury at MIT, Saturday, June 15, 2024. State finals: Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 Budding dynasty?: State-champion Wellesley girls tennis won state title without a senior Rugby Cut-off date: Saturday, May 24 Bracket Release: Tuesday, May 27 Tournament begins: Thursday, May 29 (can be played Wednesday, May 28 if both athletic directors agree) Advertisement State finals: Saturday, June 14 Boys volleyball Cut-off date: Friday, May 23 Bracket release: Tuesday, May 27 Tournament begins: Thursday, May 29 (can begin Wednesday, May 28 if both athletic directors agree) State finals: June 12-13 Girls golf Cut-off date: Thursday, May 22 Sectionals: Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28 State finals: Monday, June 2 This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: MIAA spring sports state championship schedule for 2025
Boston Globe
6 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Youth reigns supreme as Wellesley sophomore Kimmy Tai impressively wins individual girls' tennis title
In a dominant display on Monday afternoon at Babson College, fourth-seeded Tai rolled past fifth-seeded Zhang, 6-3, 6-3, to claim the girls' state title. Tai emerged from a field of 68 entrants from private, public, and prep schools across the state. The event was run by the United States Tennis Association for the second consecutive year. 'Once I had a pretty decent lead, I knew what I should do, what my strategy was,' Tai said. 'I just had to keep grinding it out, keep moving, and then attack the ball when I could.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Natick's Grace Zhang was stretched to the limit in her state final loss to Wellesley's Kimmy Tai. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Advertisement In the semifinal round earlier on Monday, Tai defeated top-seeded Maya Muhunthan, a senior from Acton-Boxborough, 6-3, 6-4. Zhang topped No. 14 Sophia Lirio, a freshman from Notre Dame (Hingham), 7-6 (7-2), 6-2. The final was a rematch from last year's Round of 16, when Zhang eliminated Tai, 6-3, 6-2. But Tai's year-over-year improvement was evident Monday, especially in her ability to finish points with crisp winners on both her forehand and backhand. 'There's a huge jump from last year to this year in terms of her game,' said Wellesley coach Rob Miller. 'It's much more aggressive, and she's always been mentally tough … a lot of the players she beat were good players, it wasn't like she just cruised to the finals. So I'm just really proud of her.' Advertisement Wellesley's Kimmy Tai was strong on both the forehand and backhand in Monday's singles final. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Tai is 6-0 at first singles and 13-0 at second singles this season for Wellesley, playing behind fellow sophomore Bella Gopen — last year's individual tournament runner-up, who opted not to compete in this year's event. Due to her close proximity to Babson, Tai even drove home to refresh herself between the semifinal and championship match, which took place roughly two hours apart. Tai's teammates from Wellesley were also on hand, providing the only teammate cheering section of any competitor on Monday. 'I really enjoyed their support,' Tai said. 'And their songs were so cute, and their cheers every time I hit a good shot — the support really helped.' For Tai, the three-day run also was validation of her stamina — she had never previously played six matches in three days — and provided further confidence headed into the MIAA state tournament, where Wellesley will look to repeat as Division 1 state champions. 'Even if I'm down or I'm having to play really hard, long points, if I push through I know I can do it,' Tai said. Sophomore Sienna Solorza (left) and freshman Emily Zhu from Newton South were dominant in winning the girls' doubles final Monday. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Young Newton South pair takes doubles crown Though Newton South freshman Emily Zhu and sophomore Sienna Solorza have played second doubles for the Lions this season, they entered the weekend confident they were among the top squads in the 17-pair field. And though the young duo was pushed by some of the state's top veteran duos, they ultimately passed every test. In the girls' doubles championship on Monday, Zhu and Solorza surged to a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, victory over top-seeded seniors Lindsey Grosberg and Nina Gill of Lincoln-Sudbury. Advertisement 'I thought we could probably get to the finals,' said Zhu, 'but we got it done here.' Zhu and Solorza have notched an unbeaten record at second doubles, but needed to work past other teams' top doubles pairings throughout the weekend — namely Boston Latin's Gisele Ngo and Maya Nguyen (6-2, 7-5) in a tough semifinal. The pivotal stretch in the championship match came late in the opening set, when Zhu and Solorza trailed 5-4 and needed a service break to stay in the set. The pairing went on to win two games in a row, and then prevailed in a tight tiebreaker to seize control of the match. 'We had to forget about the score,' Solorza said. 'We get a little tense sometimes and [commit] some unforced errors, but we just needed to talk to each other between every point. We're really good at communicating. And I think we worked really well together.' Matty Wasserman can be reached at
