Tennis Finishes Second At Regionals, On to Nationals

The Hudson Valley women’s tennis team looks to finish off a memorable season at nationals.

“We had a very strong season,” said Head Coach Denise Potenza. “The combination of all [the] players really benefited us, and we were able to go really deep in our lineup, and that showed going into the regular season, as well as regionals.”

The Vikings finished their regional tournament in second place, sending them to nationals in Flushing, New York, on Oct. 24.

“We finished off strong at regionals, and we are going to carry that into nationals, knowing that we can compete against any team we face,” said Potenza.

Emily Qua, returning senior, had the number one seed in regionals and defeated both of her opponents to win the first flight championship for the team. “I think we did really good this year. Making it to nationals is really good,” said Qua.

Along with Qua, freshman Jenna Brophy also had a number one seed in regionals. “I think we had a really good season. It was very productive and we are just a really good team with great chemistry,” said Brophy.

Brophy won both of her matches in regionals to win the second flight championship and remains undefeated for the season at 7-0. “I think I had very good success this season and I think it was very helpful towards my team. I feel [that] it motivated everyone else to do the same and aim high,” Brophy said.

Getting ready for nationals, the girls all have their own way of preparing.

“I have my own routine for each match and I just make sure I’m mentally thinking about it and physically preparing,” said Brophy.

“We prepare by practicing and having lessons,” said Qua.

Coach Potenza feels confident going into nationals. “I think the teams that we played against and lost were comparable teams and if we face them again, the ones that we did at regionals, we could definitely win against those teams,” Potenza said.

Katie Vogel, Vikings freshman, won the fourth flight singles championship at regionals. Vogel attributes some of her success to teammates. “They motivated me a lot. Their positive attitudes helped me to be positive and make me play better,” said Vogel.

Vogel said she looks forward to nationals. “It’s more of a mental game for me. I have to stay relaxed and positive,” Vogel said.

The team talked about how close it has become this year.

Qua said, “I think the chemistry was better this year. The girls were more in sync.”

“We were like a family this year, and that’s why it worked so well, because we were so close,” said Nicole Cassidy, a senior.

Coach Potenza said, “I feel like I’ve lucked out both years. Last year there was real good team chemistry…[and this year] I’m fortunate that the personalities of the players really mixed well and I feel that’s what led to our very successful season.”

Many of the girls coming from high school had a different experience playing at the college level.

“I had a lot of fun. High school was a lot harder and when I came here, it was a lot more fun and I enjoyed it,” said Sarah Nuss, a freshman.

The Vikings finished off the regular season undefeated at 7-0. “We had a great season, it was a big accomplishment to go undefeated and win the conference championship,” said freshman Liz Batchelder.

The Vikings’ last undefeated season was back in 1998, so the girls really felt good about this year. “It’s a really good feeling to be undefeated and that’s going to be great going into nationals,” said Brophy.

Potenza is in her second year as the Vikings’ Head Coach. Potenza really attributes a lot of the season to the girls on the team. “There was a lot of dedication coming to practices and all the girls working hard at practice,” Potenza said.

Along with Potenza coaching the girls to an undefeated season, a conference championship, second in regionals, and now onto nationals, Potenza has also received a Hall of Fame induction.

She was inducted into the Watervliet High School Hall of Fame a few weeks ago. “It’s really an honor, the induction into the Watervliet Hall of Fame. I’ve played many years there and it was very nice to be recognized for that,” said Potenza.

Coach Potenza wants to show the girls what she has learned through her playing career and feels that that helps her be a better coach.

“I’ve never coached before and I’ve played a lot of tennis. It’s nice to bring tennis to a different level for me and to be able to share what I’ve gained throughout the years in tennis and benefited from and then put that into a team,” Potenza said.

The team said that the best thing about Potenza was that she acts towards them as a mother.

The Vikings will travel to Flushing next week and hope to bring home a national championship.