SOUTH HADLEY — Haley Werenski knew she didn’t have time to feel sorry for herself.
She lost at No. 1 singles against Mount Everett Thursday, but picked herself off the mat Friday and returned to form to help the South Hadley girls tennis team reach the Western Massachusetts Division 3 Tournament final.
South Hadley lived up to its billing as the tournament’s top seed after it easily defeated Sabis, 5-0 Friday afternoon at Mount Holyoke College. The Tigers went about their business in workmanlike fashion and executed to near perfection.
South Hadley (17-3) will meet No. 2 Lee (16-0) on Monday at Forest Park in Springfield for the sectional title. Lee, which eliminated South Hadley in last year’s semifinals, beat Greenfield, 5-0, on Friday.
Werenski used a mix of power and finesse to beat Emma Smith in straight sets. She went into the match with a solid game plan to wear down her opponent on a humid afternoon.
She was confident that Thursday’s setback was just a hiccup.
“I thought I played well Thursday and took what worked well and used it today,” Werenski said. “It gave me the drive because I didn’t want to let my team down.”
Tigers coach Eric Cestero spoke with Werenski prior to Friday’s match and reminded her to focus on the task at hand.
“She didn’t lose confidence in herself and she was able to play consistent,” Cestero said.
Kaylin Cousineau was dominant in No. 2 singles. She beat Remi Jerard, 6-0, 6-1.
“It was hot and I was hoping for a quick match,” Cousineau said. “I knew I needed to stay in control and get quick points so I wouldn’t get too tired.”
The longest match of the day was at No. 3 singles. Madden Lacoste fought off fatigue and beat Danielle Atayan, 6-2, 6-2.
Aisinn Ford and Isabella Earle teamed to beat Angelina Gonzalez and Ryhanna Subrick, 6-1, 6-2 in No 1 doubles. Allison Descheneaux and Julie Pratt beat Beyonca Twiggs and Kate Sharpe, 6-2, 6-0 in No. 2 doubles.
The Tigers, a team composed entirely of underclassmen, fed off each other. Their goal was to reach the finals and now that they’ve accomplished that, they are hardly satisfied.
“The girls are excited to be going to the final,” Cestero said. “This was a good win.”
The Tigers believe they have some unfinished business.
“A lot of teams want to beat us,” Werenski said. “But we are a well-bonded team and that helps us get through the tough times.”