Amherst Regional tennis star Maya Hart chooses Williams College
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The best girls high school tennis player in the state will join the top college program in the country next fall.
Amherst Regional star Maya Hart committed via early decision in December to play at Williams College, the four-time reigning Division III national champion.
"It's a perfect fit for me - a great school academically, fairly close to home, and their tennis is amazing," Hart said. "A good mix of everything, and the coach there was my favorite."
The three-time western Massachusetts individual champion took home her first state individual title last June. She also helped lead the Hurricanes to the Division 1 state championship match.
Hart also considered Davidson College in North Carolina, the University of North Carolina, Middlebury and Amherst College.
"I had originally been leaning toward Davidson, which is Division I, but ultimately I wanted to be closer to home," she said. "Even though it's a Division III school, the tennis at Williams is at a similar level to a Division I program."
Her father, Allen Hart, is an alumnus of Amherst College and is currently the Dean of Students. But he's originally from Williamstown and still has family living in that area.
"Obviously, Amherst College is a great school, and I looked into it, but I think I wanted to get out of Amherst," Hart said. "I think it's fun for our family to have the little rivalry thing going. And my mom and brother both went to Wesleyan, so we've covered most of the NESCAC schools."
The senior plans on playing her final season of high school tennis this spring, with the goal of leading the Hurricanes to the state title.
"It feels great to have my decision out of the way," she said. "A lot of my friends and classmates are stressed out over college stuff, and I knew once I visited Williams that that was the place for me. Now I can just look forward to that next part of my life."
On a campus visit last fall, Hart saw Williams play Wellesley, and got a taste of what she'll need to do to take her game to the next level.
"It's such a strong team, but I think I'll be able to at least play doubles right away," she said. "I'll need to work on my consistency to move my way up the singles lineup."
GORDON MILESTONE - Frontier Regional wrestling coach Don Gordon picked up his 300th career victory on Saturday when the Red Hawks defeated Bellows Falls, Vt. 42-21.
"I'm more proud of other accomplishments over the years, like seeing our team win western Mass., and other things for individual wrestlers," said Gordon, who's coaching his 36th season. "I never really counted wins and kept track. But if you keep at it long enough, I guess wins will add up. The kids talked about it much more than I did."
KLEPACKI CLOSING IN - Smith Academy senior center Alyssa Klepacki scored 27 points against Hopkins Academy on Tuesday and had another 25 against Pioneer Regional on Wednesday. She now has 982 for her career.
The Falcons host Greenfield at 7 p.m. Friday.
In boys basketball, Smith Academy junior Mat Sulda sits 72 points shy of 1,000, while Casey White of Easthampton needs 133.
GIRLS/WOMEN IN SPORTS - The annual Massachusetts Celebration of Girls and Women in Sports Day will be held on Friday, Feb. 3 at the Great Hall at Faneuil Hall in Boston.
Former standout United State women's soccer player Kristine Lilly will be the special guest speaker at the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to noon. This year's theme is "Title IX at 40, In It For The Long Run."
Local athletes attending this year are Alissa Burian and Allison Lapointe of Belchertown, Emily Boysen and Haley Domina of Easthampton, Krista Garriepy and Kolleen Morrissey of Gateway Regional, Brittany Dalton and Sarah Kober of Hampshire Regional, Rebecca Coates-Finke and Meghan Harrington of Northampton and Natasha Cintron and Megan Shain of Smith Vocational.
The event is held every year as a tie-in with the National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which began in 1987. The event is cosponsored by the MIAA and the New Agenda: Northeast.
GRANBY SHOOTING FOR CURE - The Granby basketball teams and booster club are hosting their second annual "Shoot for the Cure" fundraising events to benefit cancer research.
The girls team plays South Hadley tomorrow at 7 p.m., while the boys host Belchertown on Monday, Feb. 6
Both games will include a 50/50 raffle, a half court shot as well as accepting donations. The girls money will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, while the boys game will go to the American Cancer Society. The programs raised more than $3000 last year.
Those unable to attend either game but still wish to donate can send a check to the Granby Booster Club - in the memo block write "Shoot for the Cure" - and mail it to Ken Mick, 472 East State St., Granby, MA, 01033.
NORTHAMPTON ATHLETIC FUNDRAISER - The Northampton Athletic Department is hosting a comedy night fundraiser on Saturday at the Blue Bonnet Diner banquet hall. The over-21 event will feature two Las Vegas-area comedians. Social hour, which includes a cash bar and snacks, starts at 6 p.m. with the comedians taking the stage beginning at 7. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in the Northampton athletic office, Coopers Corner, State Street Fruit Store or at most of the Blue Devils' athletic events. There are a limited number of tickets available.
The Northampton Athletic Department has given over $20,000 in grant money in the past several years to support the athletic programs.
MIDSEASON BASKETBALL REPORTS - The Gazette's breakdown of where all the boys and girls basketball teams in the area is posted on the high school sports blog at http://www.gazettenet.com/blog/hs-sports.
As the season progresses, the blog will feature continued playoff pictures, Walker System breakdowns, overall rankings, divisional rankings, the area's leading scorers list, weekly game previews and much more.
Staff writer Jim Pignatiello contributed to this story. Mike Wilkinson can be reached at mwilkinson@gazettenet.com.
