Westboro makes its own thunder.

Byline: Craig Holt

SHREWSBURY - The unbeaten Westboro High girls' tennis team lived up to its top billing during yesterday's Central Mass. Division 1 final against defending champion Wachusett Regional.

The Rangers won first singles, third singles and second doubles, all three matches by scores of 6-0, 6-1, giving them a 3-0 advantage and ultimate victory in a match that was cut short by lightning at the St. John's courts.

Westboro (19-0) will play Longmeadow (16-0) in a state semifinal at 3:30 p.m. Monday at St. John's.

The second-seeded Mountaineers finished 19-2, with both losses to the Rangers.

The win continued a remarkable run for Westboro, which hasn't lost since last year's Central Mass. tournament. The Rangers are undefeated in Mid-Wach B play the last four years.

"This feels amazing. We haven't gotten to the district final since my freshman year and we lost, so this is very exciting," senior captain Ali Strand said. "We work very hard in the offseason and our coach (Mary Schwartz) is always enthusiastic and encouraging."

Strand has teamed with senior Ayako Mikami and sophomore Ashley Chiu at first doubles. Strand-Chiu lost to the Wachusett tandem of Aubrey Lovejoy and Tiana Dame in the CMass Individual Championship. Strand-Mikami battled Lovejoy-Dame yesterday, winning the first set, 6-4. Lovejoy-Dame led in the second, 3-2, before the match was called.

Sophomore Brianna Greene, a finalist in the Central Mass. Individual Singles Tournament, delivered the match-clinching point when she downed Emily Eska, 6-0, 6-1, in first singles. Greene is one of three sophomores in the starting lineup. The others are Alanna Judd at second singles and Samantha Kehoe in second doubles.

"I'm extremely proud of the way this team has conducted itself all year," Schwartz said. "This team is all about selflessness, class, dignity, perseverance and resilience. We have three seniors in the starting lineup, and none of them earned a starting spot as freshmen. But they weren't disappointed. They kept working and developing their talents and earned their way into crucial roles on this team."

Junior Pooja Ganesh, a three-year starter, gave Westboro its first point when she topped Jen Marr at third singles, 6-0, 6-1. Ganesh, unbeaten this season, played second singles last year.

The second doubles team of Cailin Li and Kehoe beat Carli Garceau and Emma West, 6-0, 6-1. Li, a former singles player, is a first-year doubles hitter.

"Our match went pretty well - our serving was good and we were able to help each other out in spots," Li said.