The Scituate High School tennis team could not have bounced into such a successful undefeated season if it wasn’t for senior team captain, Tess Malerbi. Since she was young, Malerbi has been a fantastic player, destined to be an unstoppable, and her SHS tennis career fell nothing short of amazing.
Malerbi has played tennis since she was three, developing a true passion for this sport she was introduced to it by her grandfather. For the young athlete, tennis was a family sport which she enjoyed with both her parents and siblings, whom she credits her success and improvements. As a true and devoted player, Malerbi plays year round at the Weymouth Club and has even qualified to play in USTA matches throughout New England, where she has recieved her ranking as low as 80 in New England. For those who are unfamiliar, it is the country’s largest recreational tennis league, similar to an Amateur Athletic Union type of league.
When asked about her star player, Coach Barbara Horne said, “Tess is a coach’s dream. She is a solid player that works very hard at her tennis.”
As for her time playing for SHS, Malerbi has been a very important member of the varsity team since her freshman year. Malerbi was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award in 2012 and 2013 with two undefeated records of 18-0, her freshman and sophomore seasons. The student athlete was a Patriot League All-Star in 2012, 2013, and 2014. In 2014, she was awarded Patriot League All Scholastic Honorable Mention and had an impressive record of 18-2. Malerbi also qualified for the 2014 State tournament – a huge success for any SHS athlete – and even made it into the Top 8 Ranking.
This season, Malerbi is co-captain with seniors Casey White and Mia Broderick. She is currently playing her best and making the most of her senior year season, as she is undefeated. Malerbi said, “I have been a captain for the Varsity Girls’ Tennis team both my junior and senior year. This has given me a huge sense of responsibility and leadership.”
All of the senior captains’ teammates have utter appreciation and love for her being an amazing player, role model, and person both on and off the tennis court. Because of the sense of camaraderie and unity they share as a team, Malerbi and her teammates often look forward to spending time together at team dinners and other events, as the team is the strongest it has ever been. Junior Sara Moskowitz said, “Tess is an incredible mentor who’s really shaped who I am as a tennis player, and as a person.”
With nothing but love for her team, Malerbi said, “As a team we are extremely talented and hardworking players… we have such a close knit group of girls and we all get along so well. I have made some real friendships on this team and I’m going to miss being a part of it next year.”
Tess Malerbi will continue to chase her dream and passion of tennis as she will attend Saint Anselm’s College in the fall as a member of the school’s Varsity Women’s Tennis team. It is definitely safe to say that SHS has been blessed with a truly talented player who has turned our school’s tennis program around and will be remembered for her hard work, dedication, and leadership