Hopedale’s girls’ tennis team has experienced ebbs and flows this spring, highlighted by their two most recent games. The Rams dominated in a 5–0 victory over Oxford, followed by a 5–0 shutout loss to Algonquin last night. Against Oxford, Kate Friesema, Madison Buttonow, and Gabriella Rinehart each posted 6–0, 6–0 singles wins, showcasing crisp serving and court coverage. The Blue Raiders rose to 6–6 in the process. Their subsequent match against Algonquin proved more challenging, as the Titans blanked Hopedale 5–0 with decisive wins at every flight. Despite the lopsided score, the Raiders have remained inside the top 32 of the Division 4 playoff picture at No. 27. With postseason aspirations in sight, Hopedale must finish strong. Today at 4 PM, they face Sutton on the road; the Sammies rank 11th in D4, making it a critical test. On Friday at 4 PM, Hopedale returns home against Auburn, also a playoff-bound team. Winning both matches will be pivotal for securing a spot in the 32-team playoff bracket, and would be an excellent end to a solid Rams’ regular season.
