H.S. GIRLS TENNIS: A pleasant net surprise AT N-W

By Nate Beutel<br><a href="mailto:beuteln@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Nate</a>
Niagara Gazette

SANBORN September 17, 2008 10:18 pm

— Angela Hastings used to pour all of her time, effort and energy into basketball. Now you can’t get the senior off the tennis courts.
“I enjoy every practice and love every match,” she said. “Tennis has taken over for me.”
This, coming from a girl that picked up a tennis racket for the first time when she joined the Falcons’ roster in 10th grade. Hastings would play on the JV that year, before moving up to varsity doubles a year ago. Then after a strong finish to last season, including a trip to sectionals for doubles, N-W coach Kristen Janese slated Hastings in as her No. 1 singles player this fall.
All it took was one match and it was apparent Janese had made the right decision. Hastings upended Lockport’s Miller Barmasse in the Niagara Frontier League opener. Barmasse was widely considered one of the top — if not the top — player(s) in the league.
“I was really surprised because she’s a lot more skilled than me,” Hastings said of the win.
Sometimes the combination of heart, determination, competitiveness and intelligence can overcome that one obstacle, though.
“She doesn’t have the best tennis mechanics, but she drives other players nuts,” Janese said. “She gets everything back and never gives up on a ball. She’s very smart and constantly plays the right shot.”
Hastings has continued to do so throughout the first round of NFL matches. She’s now 7-0 after winning her match in straight sets Tuesday.
“I never imagined I’d be this good,” Hastings said. “The second time around will be tougher, though.”
The second round will also determine a team champion and the Falcons are right in the thick of the hunt. N-W is currently tied with Kenmore East for first place at 6-1, making each match more and more important.
“When Angela wins that first singles match, it gets all my girls excited and wanting to win themselves,” Janese said.
Hastings said she would love the opportunity to represent N-W at sectionals and is even entertaining the thought of playing the sport in college if the right opportunity comes along.

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