T
his season proved to be
another highly successful year,
the second season in a row of
unbeaten 1st team tennis.
Out of the 72 sets played in
eight fixtures a staggering 57
sets were won, losing only 15. Nine girls
played for the 1st team this year, showing the
strength in depth of girls' tennis at King's. Alex
Taylor, Holly Domellof, Hattie Cunningham and
Jodie Burrows played their final season of
tennis at King's, having been part of the 1st
team for three years. Tory Clark, Hatti Mason,
Milla Bell and Jossie Zilkha were new to the
1st team, but showed their competitiveness,
and contributed significantly to the outstanding
success of the season.
The term started with a dominant 8-1 win over
Blundell's, despite a lack of players due to the
disruption caused by the volcanic ash. This
impressive score was repeated the following
week against Clifton, with Hatti Mason and Milla
Bell narrowly losing in an exciting tie-break.
Taunton School proved to be the most difficult
fixture of the term, with one set deciding the
outcome. Going into the final three sets the
score was tied 3-3 with no team managing to
triumph over Taunton's strong first pair. Hattie
and Jodie though managed to pull off an
important victory, ensuring a victory for King's.
Wellington and Canford were two further
comfortable triumphs, King's winning 7-2 and
8-1 respectively. Hattie Cunningham and Tory
Clark were on excellent form against Wellington,
winning all three sets with ease. Milla Bell and
Hatti Mason were unfortunate in not winning all
three matches, losing a nailbiting match against
the first pair 7-5. Against Canford, Alex Taylor
and Holly Domellof, and Hattie Cunningham
and Tory Clark, did not drop a set all afternoon.
Hatti Mason and Milla Bell played some
outstanding tennis, beating the first pair 6-5,
but losing unfortunately against the second pair.
Millfield was an exciting win, dropping only
three sets to the first pair, who were both strong
academy players. Hattie Cunningham and
Jossie Zilkha played a very high standard of
tennis, losing only 5-7 to the powerful first pair.
Jodie Burrows and Tory Clark formed a strong
partnership, winning two out of three of their
matches. The victory against Sherborne, 8-1,
was a fantastic score, with all six girls quickly
adapting to the grass courts, which for many
was their first time playing on the surface. Alex
Taylor and Holly Domellof were back on top
form, dropping only five games in all three
matches. Hattie Cunningham and Tory Clark
too won all three sets. Jodie Burrows played
powerful winning ground strokes, whilst Jossie
Zilkha was quick and agile around the court,
and won many net points.
For many of our players, the last match against
Queen's was amidst exams. Nevertheless, the
team was on top form and produced another
outstanding victory 7-2. For four members of
the team this was their last match for King's,
and securing a victory was the perfect way to
end. Their first pair showed many strengths,
yet Hattie Cunningham and Tory Clark only
narrowly lost their exciting match against them.
They went on to win their next two matches
with ease, as did Jodie Burrows and Jossie
Zilkha. After two comfortable wins, Holly
Domellof and Alex Taylor raised their game for
the first pair, and won their last match for the
school 6-2.
The success of this term is just reward for a
highly talented squad of nine players who each
contributed to the many victories. Alex Taylor,
Holly Domellof, Hattie Cunningham and Jodie
Burrows will be greatly missed, but the team for
next year looks promising, and has the ability to
secure a third unbeaten season!
Aluredian
83
Girls'
Tennis
1st VI
by Alex
Taylor