Matriccino edges Root in District 1 consolation round

SPRINGFIELD TWP. » It was a rematch with different consequences.

Mia Matriccino and Allison Root played each other one week ago in the Pioneer Athletic Conference’s Singles Tournament championship match, which Matriccino won 6-3, 6-1. They faced off Saturday in the consolation round of the District 1-AAA singles competition at the Healthplex, but for the distinction of being an alternate to state singles.

Matriccino, a sophomore from Spring-Ford, and Root, a 10th grader from Owen J. Roberts, both got to the quarterfinal round Friday before losing. Root fell in straight sets to eventual champion Esha Velaga of North Penn 6-2, 6-0 and Matriccino was topped by Council Rock South freshman Dasha Chickina 6-4, 6-3.

Both girls advanced to the 5/6 match when their respective opponents defaulted. In their rematch, Matriccino won in straight sets 6-1, 6-0.

Though the top four finishers are the only ones to advance to states, Matriccino will be the first alternate in the event one is unable to play at states. Behind Velaga, Unionville’s Grace Li was runner-up, West Chester Henderson’s Kylie Kochis third and Chickina fourth.

The PAC’s other district qualifiers bowed out during Friday’s action. Methacton’s Alice Liang won her opener with Upper Dublin’s Jill Hackett 6-1, 6-4 before falling to Li 6-2, 6-4; and teammate Hana Nouaime started out with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Spring-Ford’s Isabel Mejia before losing to Chickina 6-1, 6-2.

Spring-Ford’s Cady Krause lost to West Chester Henderson’s Ella Tunnell in the opening round, 6-1, 7-5.