Both local players finish 4th in state tennis tournament
HERSHEY — Moravian Academy’s Chessie Bartolacci and Stroudsburg’s Paraskevi Briegel saw their quest for state gold fall short on Saturday.
While both girls earned fourth place medals at the the PIAA singles championships, they left the
Hershey Racquet Club motivated for a return trip and a higher place on the podium in future years.
In her first trip to the 2A championships, freshman Bartolacci dropped her semifinal match to Tara Thomas of Villa Maria Academy, 6-2, 6-0. The final score was not indicative of the close points the two exchanged throughout the match.
Several deuce points were played throughout the match, but Bar tolac ci couldn’ t breakthrough to take an advantage against Thomas and eventually bowed out.
Later in the day, in her third place match, Bar to lac ci fell to Laura Gr eb of Knoch,6-0,6-2
“[ Bar to lac ci] will get to that level. She’s tough and determined. She’ll probably be out banging tennis balls tomorrow,” Moravian Academy coach Rick Brown said. “This was a good experience for her and I think this will help get her to that level of excellence.”
Bartolacci was nothing short of impressive in her run through the district level, and the first two rounds of the state tournament. The Lions have much to be excited about in this youngtalent.
“I have no doubt she will get to the next level,” Brown said.
In 3 A, Brie gel’ s day wasn’ t much different than Bartolacci’s. The Mountaineer junior met defending champion Amelia Honer of Council Rock North in the semifinals and was unable to score a game. Stroudsburg coach Gene Tapiro said Honer, who won the 3A title later in the day, has all the weapons of a top flight player. 2A Semifinals: Tara Thomas( Villa Maria Academy) def. Ch essie Bar to lac ci ,6-2,6-0 2A 3rdplacematch: Laura Gr eb( K no ch) def. Ch essie Bar to lac ci ,6-0,6-2 3A Semifinals: Amelia Hon er( Council Rock North) def. Paraskevi Briegel,6-0,6-0 3A3rdplacematch: Catherine Rabat in( Penn Manor) def. Paraskevi Briegel,6-1,6-2