Saints sweep city showdown thanks to balanced effort
PAWTUCKET – St. Raphael Academy sophomore transfer student Blanca Domenech-Gomez seemed shocked when she manufactured a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Shea High freshman standout Sophia Panzo at No. 1 singles on Thursday afternoon.
“I didn’t know she was undefeated; I feel badly,” Domenech-Gomez stated after the match, one that propelled the Saints to an elementary 7-0 Division III/Central-B triumph at the Oak Hill neighborhood’s Thomas Duffy Courts. “I don’t know if I would have wanted to beat her if I had known. She’s such a nice girl, and her game is very strong.”
Fact is, Panzo had started the contest with a 15-0 league slate (16-0) overall, but Domenech-Gomez utilized strong serves and a splendid backhand to outduel her foe, who made several unforced errors.
“I think I played well in all areas of the game,” the exchange student from Barcelona, Spain noted. “I was most pleased with my backhand, which seemed great. I just felt more comfortable with it than I usually do.”
Apparently, her teammates did as well.
Sophomore Emily Fournier strolled to a 6-1, 6-0 verdict over SHS sophomore Anike Fernandes in No. 2 singles, while classmate Serena Rosa Gaskin and senior Kayla Jackson both captured their matches at No. 3 and 4 without any games lost.
Domenech-Gomez clinched the decisive fourth point, and the top doubles duet of senior captain Kim Rodas and fellow senior Cara Sanders snatched a 6-0, 6-0 decision over the freshmen tandem of Sarah Mateo and Jazmin Torres. The No. 2 unit of junior Emily Miranda and frosh Deana Squires had a slightly more difficult time in downing sophomores Jaylin Briere and Jasmin Correia, 6-1, 6-1.
Actually, the Saints had entered the clash already ahead, 1-0, as the Raiders were unable to field a third doubles team; that forfeit win went to sophomores Emma McDonough and Faith Alves.
With her triumph, DomenechGomez improved to 6-0 in league action. She would’ve collected more, but, because of her exchange status, Rhode Island Interscholastic League officials told SRA head coach Scott Corain she would have to sit out half the campaign due to eligibility requirements.
“I knew Sophia was unbeaten, but I thought Blanca moved her around,” Corain noted. “She hit shots into the corners and forced her into a lot of mistakes. I think she may have gotten into her head because (Panzo) also had several double-faults.
“Emily is now 11-3, and Serena is 9-5; they’ve been consistent all year, and were again here,” he added. “We have two matches left, and we’re 6-8 in league play, but we’re going to miss the playoffs by a match or two. I think the fact we lost three matches, 4-3, early in the season is going to cost us. If we had won those, it would be a different story.
“Still, we had fun, and it’s been a good season, plus we can get to .500 if we win our last two.”