Haddonfield captures state title

There were tears at the start of the day and smiles at the end.

For Haddonfield's trio of senior captains, the last trip to Mercer County Park as members of the Bulldogs girls' tennis team was a little bitter and a lot sweet.

No. 1 singles player Victoria Martinez teamed with classmates Amanda Lanciano and Erica Pascocello to lead Haddonfield to its sixth consecutive Group 2 state title Thursday.

Martinez, No. 2 singles Lanciano, and No. 3 singles Pascocello won matches as Haddonfield beat Holmdel, 3-2, in the state final.

Earlier Thursday, Haddonfield beat Mountain Lakes, 5-0, in the semifinals.

Haddonfield (27-1) advanced to the Tournament of Champions. The Bulldogs received a first-round bye and will begin play Tuesday.

In other action, Cherry Hill East stunned Ridgewood, 3-2, in the Group 4 semifinals but dropped a 5-0 decision to Millburn in the final.

Pennsville won its Group 1 semifinal by 31/2-11/2 over Verona but lost by 4-1 to Glen Ridge in the final.

Moorestown lost, 4-1, to Montville in the Group 3 semifinals.

The Results

GROUP 2 STATE FINAL

Haddonfield 3, Holmdel 2

Singles: Victoria Martinez, Hadd, def. Alicia Lai, 6-1, 6-1; Amanda Lanciano, Hadd, def. Sarah Yan, 6-2, 6-3; Erica Pascocello, Hadd, def. Lucy Wang, 6-0, 6-3.

Doubles: Nandin Krishaswamy and Steph Pugh, Hol, def. Chelsea Brown and Arpie Senopoulos, 5-4, injury default; Angela Tu and Tiffany Chen, Hol, def. Kade Burns and Katie Pileggi, 6-1, 6-0.

GROUP 2 STATE SEMIFINAL

Haddonfield 5, Mountain Lakes 0

GROUP 4 STATE FINAL

Millburn 5, Cherry Hill East 0

GROUP 4 STATE SEMIFINAL

Cherry Hill East 3, Ridgewood 2

GROUP 1 STATE FINAL

Glen Ridge 4, Pennsville 1

GROUP 1 SEMIFINAL

Pennsville 31/2, Verona 11/2

GROUP 3 SEMIFINAL

Montville 4, Moorestown 1