While the Westbrook girls' tennis squad has seen its share of success over the past few seasons, nothing could prepare the Knights for the campaign it had this spring as the unit not only finished the season 18-0, but won the Shoreline Conference title for the third-straight season and then the Class S championship, making it a season of dreams for all involved.

"No one plans for a season like we had," said Coach Paula Fitzgerald, who was assisted by Nicole Giangreco. "You work hard, try your best, and hope for the best, so I would say we more than exceeded our goals."

The Knights came into the spring having won two recent conference titles-shared with Old Saybrook in 2011 and Old Lyme the previous year-and boasted experience and talent up and down its lineup like no other. Once the squad finished the regular season undefeated-therefore winning the Shoreline title outright-the Knights went into the state tournament as the first seed with their heads held high and ready to fight for that state championship. Defeating 17th-seeded Windsor Locks 7-0 in the first round, Westbrook then went up against its archrival in ninth-seeded Weston in the quarterfinal-a team that had always seemed to stop Westbrook in its tracks in the past. But the Knights won 4-3 and advanced on to the semifinal, where they would win 6-1 over 13th-seeded Northwest Catholic for a date with No. 3 Stonington at Yale on June 1. Winning 5-2, Westbrook claimed its first-ever state title.

Leading the pack were senior captains Erica Martel, Sarah Chapell, and Kathlyn Cyr. Martel played at No. 3 singles and finished the regular season undefeated for the second-consecutive season while earning First Team All-Shoreline and Scholar Athlete honors, while Chapell and Cyr made up the first doubles tandem, also went undefeated in the regular season, and earned Second Team All-Shoreline recognition.

"I have to give them credit for making this one of the most cohesive teams ever," said Fitzgerald of her captains. "They were the most supportive of each other and had a great work ethic."

Also adding to the team's success were seniors Meghan Provost (third doubles), Michaela Crowley, and Sarah Luft, the latter two who "were back-ups to the starting players and came in at times during the season and did a great job," according to Fitzgerald.

Possibly one of the biggest standouts of the campaign was junior Caroline Barton, who at No. 1 singles helped propel the squad throughout the season as she finished her regular season undefeated, won the 1-2 Shoreline singles title, and then got the last win that Westbrook needed during the state final with her 6-4, 7-5 victory over her Stonington opponent. Barton was also named MVP, First Team All-Shoreline, First Team All-State, and a Scholar Athlete.

Also contributing were junior No. 2 singles player Taylor Amendola (Most Improved Player), sophomore No. 4 singles player Liza Goldberg (Coaches' Award and Honorable Mention All-Shoreline), plus the freshmen second doubles tandem of Callie Burns and Lydia Murphy (Second Team All-Shoreline).

Despite the exit of starters Martel, Chapell, and Cyr, Westbrook returns a slew of talent in 2013 and has promise to make a run to defend its titles, although Fitzgerald doesn't look too far ahead.

Said Fitzgerald: "Let us take awhile and enjoy this year before we think about next year."