By JAMES BESSETTE

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COVENTRY — Frustration has unexpectedly interrupted the good times on the tennis courts for the Oakers.

After a strong, promising start to the season, Coventry has hit a snag ever since its trip to Division IV-perennial Warwick Vets a little over a week ago. The Oakers have now lost four out of their last five matches, including yesterday’s 5-2 loss at home to Middletown, dropping to 5-4 on season after going their first four matches without a defeat.

“We started out really strong,” Coventry head coach Tiffany Risch said, “but of course if you lose three in a row, it’s really tough mentally. They just have to know that they need to continue to work hard and improve. Because, there’s always going to be another team out there that’s gunning for you.”

Against those teams, Coventry has gone 6-22 in individual match play, a stark contrast to its 27-8 mark in individual match play in its five victories on the season.

Although the Oakers fell short on the score sheet, Risch praised her girls afterwards for their improved play on the court in regards of ball placement and creating different angles against their opponents, making the returns much difficult on their end.

However, although the placement has improved, it’s a matter of keeping shots in play on a consistent basis that will have the Oakers regaining their early winning form. Yesterday, Coventry was inconsistent across the board with their returns, both against the back line and at the net.

Kassandra Lima, the Oakers’ top singles player, was getting under a number of long returns from the back line against Middletown’s Kristin Bretsch during a 6-3, 6-4 loss, causing lofted returns, with most of them well over the back line out of play.

At the net, although very strong at keeping the racket stationary against some hard in-close returns Bretsch, Lima was unable to move side to side across the court to get a proper counter attack along the baselines for quick points.

Cassandra Thibeault had similar problems in keeping control of the long returns in her match at No. 3 singles against Carly Benson – a 6-3, 6-3 loss – going long past the back baseline numerous times.

Nichole Adamo had severe struggles at the net against Alex Butler at No. 4 singles in a 6-3, 6-1 defeat, coming up well short on the returns and the service, as well as missing a few low returns while charging at the net.

“We have to make sure that our shots are in,” Risch said. “We’re hitting long (with some of our shots) a little bit, so that needs to be fixed. Maybe some net work will help out a little bit. It’s a matter of transferring your weight and getting your feet set. We work on that all the time, but sometimes, they practice better at practice than we do in a game situation. Mentally, that weighs on you.”

Haylee McHale helped Coventry avoided being shut out at singles when she topped Steph Fagan at No. 2 singles with a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win.

The Oakers’ lone win at doubles was provided by Erica Thayer and Sarah Karn, who defeated Middletown’s top pair of Cate O’Connor and Jess Reynolds by rallying from a tough start to win 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.

However, according to Risch, there are a lot of things that need work regarding the backbone of Coventry’s success. She said that the No. 2 doubles pair of Gianna Valliente and Julia Chretien – who lost to Chelsea Rodrigues and Kasey Challoner 6-2, 6-2 – do a “switching” routine during play, which works to their benefit sometimes, but it can hurt them against the tougher opponents.

“If you’re facing a team that hits the ball faster, you have got to adapt to it,” Risch said. “They will be working on that.”

The No. 3 doubles bracket has seen a number of changes because of players not having enough practice time required for play or being out sick. The tandem of Meghan Sullivan and Kayla Lynch, who lost to Katie-Paige Benson and Chrissy Kosnski in straight-sets 6-4, 6-3, will most likely be staying together for the remainder of the season.

Coventry now hopes that it can end the three-match losing skid tomorrow against Shea, which is currently 1-7 on the season.