Girls region tennis: Cox leaves no doubt who is No. 1

The Cox girls left no doubt that they are the area’s best tennis team, defeating First Colonial 5-0 on Friday in the Eastern Region final at Huntington Park.

Madeline Hajek clutched the shiny trophy after little more than an hour of court time for the Falcons (12-1), who gave up no more than three games in any set.

Seniors Hajek and Abbey Wexel know the feeling of winning four consecutive region titles, but the Falcons have actually amassed the last six, including two Group AAA state titles, in that span.

“It’s a pretty incredible feeling,” said Hajek, a 6-1, 6-0 winner at No. 6 singles. “We’re such a strong team throughout. We have so much depth.”

Youth, too, starting with athletic freshman Faith Atiso at No. 1 and consistent sophomore Jenny Lee at No. 2. The anticipated matchup between Atiso, third in the Beach District singles tournament, and district champion Alex Ritter, didn’t take place because the Patriots freshman sat out the day with an injured big toe.

That made First Colonial’s task more daunting given coach Diane Deaton had to move every player up in the lineup to make up for the absence of her top player.

The undefeated Ritter has complained of a sore toe for weeks, taking her shoe off quickly after each of her matches.

“We’ve been calling her Cinderella,” quipped Deaton, who sparked her team’s spirits by squeezing a clown nose after good shots.

A trip to the doctor late Thursday revealed the surprising news that Ritter’s left toe was broken. Her foot in a boot, Ritter watched from the bleachers as her teammate Alyse Dinapoli battled Atiso at No. 1 singles, falling 6-3, 6-0. Despite the injury, Ritter stressed she planned to play in Monday’s individual region quarterfinals, where advancing to the championship would require two singles victories in a day.

“I’m playing,” she assured, while her mother noted she hoped her daughter would play.

Cox and First Colonial (13-2) advance to the Group AAA state quarterfinals on May 27. The Falcons will host the Northern Region runnerup and First Colonial will travel to the Northern champion.