Izzy Essi was in control. A gusting wind did not throw off her focus as the Wayland High junior played her first singles match against Boston Latin.
Essi confidently moved from left to right, sending shots deep into the court along the baseline until her foe was unable to make a return back over the net.
She practices patience, realizing that conditions can take away from the ideal shot. Sometimes, the finessed serve with spin is more effective than trying to power one up.
“I am a patient player,’’ said Essi, a two-time Globe All-Scholastic in her third season at top singles for Wayland.
“I don’t try to finish off the point as quickly as possible. I like to grind with the person and to keep the point going until I know it is the right time.’’
Essi cruised at first singles, 6-0, 6-1, in Wayland’s 4-1.
In between points, the junior took quick moments to catch a glance of teammates Arielle Friedman and Elena Erdekian earn a point at first doubles. She offered a quick word of encouragement through the chain linked fence.
Cheering on her teammates is her favorite aspect of playing high school tennis, and being part of a team. That type of camraderie does not exist competing as an individual, in USTA events.
And there was plenty to cheer for on April 29, when the Warriors beat defending Division 2 state champion Concord-Carlisle in a 3-2 nail-biter.
Sophomore Audrey Camacho pulled out a 6-7 (7-1), 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) marathon win at second singles to clinch the victory.
“I was so happy for her after she won, I cried,’’ said Essi, who also won her singles match, 6-4, 7-5. Sydney Hsu took third singles 6-0, 6-1.
It was Warriors’ first win over C-C in at least eight years since Erin Reeves took over as coach. The Patriots have knocked Wayland out of the Division 2 North tournament the last three seasons.
“We knew that was going to be the tough match,’’ said Reeves. “But I think for the first time they actually truly believed that they could win.
“When we did, it definitely changed some of our team goals and has given them the confidence that they can compete.’’
There is confidence across the lineup, with Essie, Camacho, and Hsu at singles, and four seniors slotted at doubles: Friedman and Erdekian in the first pairing, along with Allie Runan/Cate Rutland at No. 2.
“This year, more so than other years, our lineup was pretty clear cut,’’ said Reeves. “The thing that stands out though is that the girls on this team really love being together and the chemistry has really resulted in some of these wins that we wouldn’t normally get.’’
Erdekian, a tri-captain along with Friedman and Runan, said “we have a really good group of girls and we all have really good chemistry and that is important.
After dropping its first match to Westford Academy, Wayland reeled off eight straight wins.
“It really changed the game for us when we beat C-C,’’ said Friedman. “Every year we say that this will be the year that beat them, but this season we actually did and since then we have really been in it to win it.’’
In addition to team goals, Essi has set lofty aspiratoins for the upcoming state individual tournament.
Essi was denied in the North final last year by her best friend, and USTA doubles partner, Sarah Campbell, who attends Lincoln-Sudbury Regional. The two train at the Thoreau Club, in Concord, with coach Rick Sharton. Campbell is sidelind with an injury.
“It is really sad that I won’t get to play her this season, she is always someone that is really fun to play with and tough to get past,’’ said Essi. “Right now, I have goals to go farther than last year and make it to state semifinals.’’
The Warriors, meanwhile, are prepared for a possible rematch against Concord-Carlisle in the North tournament.
“They will be ready for us for sure,’’ said Essi. “But I think we have a real shot at states this year.’’
. . .
Last season was somewhat of an anomaly for the Concord-Carlisle boys’ team: at 5-10, the Patriots failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time in 10 years.
In 2008 and 2009, C-C put together back-to-back unbeaten season en route to Division 2 state titles.
Since that run, parity has emerged in the DCL. Last season, Acton-Boxboro (Division 1), Wayland (D2), and Bedford (D3) swept through the North, with Wayland and Bedford claiming state titles.
“Over my first four years we went 85-3,’’ said Concord-Carlisle coach Alex Spence. “Since then the league has really balanced out. We played each of those teams multiple times last season. That contributed to us missing the tournament.’’
This season, the Patriots have wins over Lincoln-Sudbury, Newton South, and St. John’s Prpe (nonleague).
C-C has received strong performances from five seniors, led by Sam Heinrich (first singles), Max Bohn (second singles), and Bryce Bjork who has rotated between first doubles and third singles.
“I think not making the postseason last year has really driven these guys to train hard in the offseason and has developed them as leaders.’’
An 8-3 start has C-C set up nicely for the Division 2 North tournament, but Spence has incorporated a Belichickian approach.
“With the schedule we play we really can’t do anything more than take it week-by-week,’’ said Spence. “We compartmentalize the season and set small individual goals and work to achieve them.’’
Michael McMahon can be reached at mcman92@gmail.com.
