Stonington tennis star Dellacono accepts offer to play at Brown
Stonington — Everybody has a dream school, Stonington High School's Gabby Dellacono was saying Thursday following a victory over Waterford. Hers was Brown University in Providence.
"It's just like, legit," said Dellacono, a junior tennis phenom who has won two straight Eastern Connecticut Conference singles titles and last year reached the State Open championship match. "It's close to home. I love the environment, the Ivy League, the stores and the food. I know a few girls on the team from New Englands. I love the coach; he's such a nice person. He knows a lot about the sport."
Over Stonington's recent April vacation, Dellacono made a verbal commitment to play tennis for Division I Brown. She wasn't expecting the offer that day, a Thursday.
"I got chills," Dellacono said. "I didn't know he was interested. I was so surprised. (My parents) were crying. My mom was not with it for the last two weeks. I called my dad (from Brown) and he said, 'Gabby, c'mon.' He didn't believe it."
"... Maybe I could (play tennis) a little bit after college. I want to work hard for that in college. I want it to be part of my life."
Dellacono, who plans to major in something in the medical field, recently started training with pro Jerry Albrikes at Mystic Indoor Tennis. Albrikes was named this year to the USTA New England Hall of Fame. Dellacono said learning from him has helped her mental approach and her consistency.
She also said that last year's State Open gave her a measure of confidence. The No. 6 seed, Dellacono upended the No. 3 seed and the No. 2 seed before falling to No. 4 Lexi
Lexi DeNucci of Glastonbury — who now plays for Division I Villanova — in the championship match at the Connecticut Tennis Center. Dellacono has been named The Day's All-Area Player of the Year the last two seasons.
Brown is coached by Paul Wardlaw. In 2018, Brown had six All-Ivy selections, the most in the league.
"It's awesome," Stonington coach George Crouse said of Dellacono's commitment. "She's a great kid. She works hard in practice. We know the quality she's at. She also supports the team ... We're all happy for her."