The CAL is unquestionably a tennis league.
Especially when you take a look at the girls’ side ever since the MIAA moved to the statewide playoff format ahead of the 2021-22 school year. During that stretch — ending with this spring — the Hamilton-Wenham girls have been crowned Division 4 state champions four straight years. In three of those four seasons, the Generals both beat a team from the CAL in the finals, while 75% of the state semifinal was made up of teams from the league.
Then, of course, you can’t forget about the Newburyport girls going back-to-back in Division 3 in 2022 and ‘23.
Harper Bradshaw has seen it all, and now leaves as a two-time champion.
For both her work on the courts this season along with her overall fantastic career, Bradshaw is being named our 2025 Daily News Girls Tennis MVP. The senior was a four-year starter for Newburyport, and leaves as a three-time Daily News All-Star. Over her tenure, the Clippers went an incredible 69-14 with those two state championships, and along the way picked up a pair of CAL Kinney titles as well.
As a freshman, she played on Newburyport’s second doubles team.
Then as a sophomore, she bumped up to take on No. 2 singles.
But for the past two years — ever since superstar Caroline Schulson graduated out to Assumption College — it’s been Bradshaw shouldering the responsibility of playing against the best of the best at No. 1 singles. And, again, in a league like the CAL, that means going up against the likes of Naomi Provost at Hamilton-Wenham (who finished with an 81-2 career record) and Paige Martino at Lynnfield.
But Bradshaw never backed down to a challenge.
“Harper plays that (No. 1 singles) role with a lot of confidence,” said Newburyport coach Mary Jane Mellet. “Her power game no doubt strikes fear in most of the teams we face, and she has been a great ambassador for Newburyport tennis. We will miss her greatly.”
This spring, Bradshaw finished with a 9-6 record from that top singles spot. The co-captain led Newburyport (12-5) to the program’s fourth straight appearance in the Division 3 quarterfinals, which entailed a day-long travel adventure down to Martha’s Vineyard. The Clippers would see their season come to an end on the island in a 4-1 loss, but Bradshaw put up an excellent fight before falling in a super-tiebreaker, 4-6, 7-5, 12-10. Had the overall match not already been decided, and a full third set been played, Bradshaw certainly had the momentum. Then she also won a perfect 6-0, 6-0 match against Sandwich during the team’s opening round of the playoffs.
During the regular season, when Bradshaw won a match, she won big. There was another flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory over Triton, as well as 6-0, 6-1 wins over both Rockport and Amesbury. She would beat Pentucket twice by a 6-2, 6-0 score, then had a competitive match against North Reading that she pulled out, 6-4, 6-4.
Elsie DeGrano
Newburyport, Jr., Singles
Now a two-time Daily News All-Star. Bumped up from No. 2 doubles last year to take over the No. 2 singles spot. Co-captain finished the spring with an 11-5 record, and helped Newburyport (12-5) make the program’s fourth straight Division 3 quarterfinals. Was the deciding match in a 3-2 victory over Apponequet in the Round of 16, winning a marathon three-setter, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5). Also beat Sandwich in the first round, 6-3, 6-1. A huge 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (9-7) victory to help fuel an overall match win against a Lynnfield team ranked No. 1 in Division 4. A flawless 6-0, 6-0 win over Pentucket, and a 6-0, 6-3 victory against Amesbury. Beat Triton twice, then had a solid 6-4, 6-2 win over Rockport. Honor Roll student is also a talented skier who provided 104 points to help Newburyport experience its best ever season this winter.
Gretchen Boelke
Newburyport, Jr., Singles
Only started two matches a year ago, but took a huge leap forward this spring to post a 10-4 record at No. 3 singles. Helped Newburyport (12-5) make a run to the program’s fourth straight Division 3 quarterfinal. Provided the team’s lone match victory in a 4-1 loss down at Martha’s Vineyard in the Elite 8, winning 7-5, 6-2. Also won her match against Sandwich in the first round, 6-1, 6-0. Arguable best win was a 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 victory over No. 1-ranked Lynnfield (Div. 4). Put up excellent fight against eventual Division 4 state champion Hamilton-Wenham, falling in a multi-hour marathon, 6-4, 2-6, 6-7 (5-7). Earned a flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory over Amesbury, and had other quick wins against Triton (x2) and Pentucket. Honor Roll student was also a Daily News Volleyball All-Star this fall who finished the year with a team-high 266 assists and 63 aces.
Lily Su/Sadie Reardon
Newburyport, Sr./Jr., Doubles
Just overall good athletes, both came in with virtually no prior playing experience, but were still able to thrive as a No. 2 doubles unit. Each finished with a team-best 12-3 record, which mainly came together. Helped Newburyport (12-5) make the program’s fourth straight trip to the Division 3 quarterfinals. Won their match against Sandwich in the first round, 6-1, 6-2, then beat Apponequet in the Round of 16 by the same score. Beat a Lynnfield team that was ranked No. 1 in Division 4. Arguable best win of the year was a 7-2, 2-6, 6-1 victory against eventual Division 4 state champion Hamilton-Wenham. Both won singles matches against Rockport. Put up perfect 6-0, 6-0 victories against North Reading and Triton (x2), then had a 6-2, 6-0 win over Amesbury and a 6-0, 6-2 victory against Pentucket. Both are consistently Newburyport Honor Roll students. Reardon also plays volleyball during the fall.
Kate Mellet/Leah Enes
Newburyport, Sophs., Doubles
Sophomore duo similarly didn’t have much playing experience coming into the year, but still connected to make a formidable top doubles team. Ended the season with a 10-5 record. Helped Newburyport (12-5) make it to the program’s fourth straight Division 3 quarterfinal. Won an easy 6-1, 6-4 match against Sandwich in the first round of the playoffs, then followed with a marathon 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 6-4 victory over Apponequet in the Round of 16. Best win of the year was a 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 victory over eventual Division 4 state champion Hamilton-Wenham. Earned two flawless 6-0, 6-0 wins over North Reading and Triton. Took down Amesbury, 6-4, 6-4, then followed with a nice 6-4, 6-3 win over Rockport. Beat Pentucket twice, with one of those matches ending in a 6-0, 7-6 (9-7) thriller. Both have been Newburyport Honor Roll students.
Honorable Mention
Amesbury — Addy Upson, Sr., singles; Annah Belisle, Sr., singles, Ashley Wilson, Sr., doubles; Katie Welch, Jr., singles
Newburyport — None
Pentucket — Katie Hella, Sr., singles; Sophie Marcus, Sr., doubles; Sophia Nickerson, Sr., doubles; Riley Duggan, Sr., doubles; Paige Nottingham, Sr., doubles; Evelyn Dunn, Jr., singles
Triton — Sophie Chapman, Sr., singles; Ava Herrera, Sr., singles; Ava Connolly, Jr., singles