Moravian Academy defeats Parkland 4-1
Matches with some of area’s top players have playoff atmosphere
When putting together Moravian Academy’s girls tennis regular-season schedule, head coach Rick Brown made sure to have enough room for Parkland.
The Lions are a heavy favorite in the Colonial League and District 11 Class 2A, while the Trojans may well be the top team in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District 11 Class 3A.
Though the two teams will not meet in the postseason, there was a playoff atmosphere when they clashed Friday afternoon. The match result lived up to its billing.
Backed by a pair of three-set wins, the host Lions came out with a 4-1 victory over the Trojans in a battle that featured some of the area’s top players.
“We agreed on playing a three-two format (three singles matches and two doubles matches) because that’s the format we play in districts and states,” Brown said. “I know what kind of team we have, but I think this win really sends a message.”
Moravian Academy’s No. 2 player Francesca Bartolacci used a consistent baseline style to outduel a talented Leah Zolotareva in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.
Bartolacci’s wits on the court are the main reason she’s the defending 2A singles champion.
“I knew not to take chances because of the wind. The objective was to feel out my opponent, keep the ball in play, and to get my serve in,” Bartolacci said. “As a team, we had a slow start but we didn’t get down and we kept our heads. I know every girl on the team wants to win.”
The Lions went up 2-0 when the No. 1 doubles team of Yan Yu-Kanchan Gupta staved off Anshika Gupta-Kaila Miles, 6-3, 6-4. Yu-Gupta used a mix of hard serves and solid volleys to put away their Trojan adversaries.
Parkland cut the lead in half when No. 3 singles player Gigi Leonzi edged Jamilie Atiyeh, 7-5, 6-4 in a high quality exchange. Leonzi was on constant offense and relied heavily on athleticism and a big ground game to defeat the highly-touted Atiyeh.
No. 1 player and 2019 2A singles champ Isabella Bartolacci clinched the match for Moravian Academy after clawing back from a one-set deficit to knock off Erin Joo, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
“I knew going in that Erin is a really great player.
I had to adjust to the wind and play more steady after the first set,” Isabella Bartolacci said. “Also, my serve progressively got better throughout the match. I think this win will definitely help my confidence going forward.”
The No. 2 doubles team of Sophia BrandsGrace Wright added the final point for the Lions in a three-set marathon win over Sophia Petrocelli-Sophie Elijovich, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
“We work hard as a team and encourage each other,” Francesca Bartolacci said. “We are looking forward to playing a full season in the Colonial League and districts. We want to go as far as we can.”