Gwynedd Mercy 5, Cabrini 4
BOX SCORE
GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- In a riveting thriller of a match, the Cabrini Cavaliers and Gwynedd Mercy University Griffins squared off on what was Senior Day with the Griffins prevailing, 5-4.
With the win, Gwynedd Mercy clinches a spot in the CSAC Women's Tennis Team Tournament
Rachel Fein,
Kellie Booth, and
Kati Courtney were honored before the match for the dedication and leadership that they have given the team. Afterwards, the teams got right into it. Fein, who led the charge with convincing wins at both singles and doubles along with doubles partner Gabby Muller, cruised to an 8-3 win at first doubles. After the Cavaliers scored a win at second doubles, 8-3, the dynamic duo of
Kellie Booth and Jenna Caffarella then shifted into overdrive, putting the pedal to the metal with a commanding 8-3 win at third doubles.
In singles, Fein continued on a rampage, defeating Katie Kennedy 6-1, 6-2 at the top slot. Like a pirate with an eye-patch on a crazed mission,
Taylor Michener disposed of her opponent in swash-buckling style, swordfighting her way to a 6-1, 6-0 victory. Cabrini would get back in the match with wins at third, fourth, and fifth singles.
Deadlocked at 4-4, the match came down to the 6th and final singles match. With a capacity crowd on hand, one could feel the tension in the air, as sophomore
Jenna Caffarello was to face senior and battle-tested Victoria Nastala from Cabrini. Caffarello, who has garnered the nickname Vince Papale from the Disney football movie, "Invincible", had a monstrous task in front of her going against battle-tested Victoria Nastala from Cabrini.
With the whole match riding on the line, she took a 6-2 defeat in the first set. After revising the game plan in a short break, Caffarello won the second set 6-2, to turn the tide. With each point so critical in the third set, both teams and fans were on the edge of their seat. Caffarello would emerge victorious (6-4) in one of the longest matches in school history.
"As soon as I approached Jenna, despite the other matches still going on, she immediately told me she knew that it was going to come down to her," said coach
Jim Holt. "She embraced the opportunity and said she wanted the chance to win it for the team." That she did in dramatic fashion, with "Papale" coming through in the clutch and keeping the Griffins on a winning streak within the conference. The Griffins have not lost a regular season match in over five years.
With a win over Rosemont on Friday, in a rescheduled match, Gwynedd can clinch the top playoff seed. They'll close out the regular season the following day against Keystone. The CSAC Women's Tennis Team Tournament begins on Friday, November 1st.
