Rye’s A Team Takes the Title in Thriller
By Melanie Cane
The Rye Town Women’s A team finished the regular season in third place in the Westchester League with a record of 4-3. In the playoffs they fared a lot better.
In the semifinals, Rye topped the Town of New Castle 3-2. They faced last year’s champions, Lewisboro, in the final, May 31.
Rye’s No. 1 and 2 teams both lost in third-set tiebreaks. The No. 3 team dispatched a previously undefeated Lewisboro pair. The No. 4 team won in a third-set tie break.
Tension was high when the No. 5 team went to a third-set tiebreak. Down 6-9, Rye fought off several match points and won 11-9.
“Lewisboro couldn’t believe it, because they had beaten us easily in the regular season,” said Rye’s exuberant captain Maureen Fearon. “It was a great team effort in the playoffs, with the top courts saving the day in the semis and the lower courts bringing home the win in the finals.””
Pictured, in front: Co-captains Masako White and Maureen Fearon; standing: Vicki Beney, Junko Aranati, Susan Bartow, Jean Lipman, Kim Mehrara, Suzanne Schnitta, and Ai Matsumoto. Missing: Kate Jennings, Lauren Rosen, and Wendy Hyer