Lions make, but are shut out in state finals

HERSHEY — It’s no secret just how stacked the Knoch girls tennis team is.

The Knights ran through their first two opponents in dominant fashion at the PIAA Class 2A team tournament, both resulting in shutouts.

Onthe other side of the bracket, Moravian Academy ground out three tournament wins, making their way into the finals with confidence and energy. But in Saturday’s championship match, the Lions knewwhatawaited.

Moravian Academy threw everything it had at the District 7 juggernaut, but the superior team prevailed. Knoch’s singles players proved too much, as it defeated the Lions, 3-0, to claim the 2A title at the Hershey Racquet Club.

“Wow, that team has really strong singles players,” Moravian Academy coach Rick Brown said. “We would’ve had to play phenomenal to beat them. They’re tough. But you know what, we had a heck of a year. We beat a lot of good teams to get to the finals and we’re very happy with the kids.”

Laura Greb defeated Isabella Bartolacci 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 singles. Brianna Bauer disposed of Chessie Bartolacci 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2, and Emily Greb knocked off Jamilie

Atiyeh, 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3.

Earlier in the day, Moravian Academy punched its ticket to the finals with a 3-1 win over Villa Maria Academy.

No. 2 singles player Chessie Bartolacci played tough in her win over Ryleigh Valone, 6-1, 6-1. Jamilie Atiyeh was equally impressive in a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Anna Poranski at No. 3 singles.

The No. 2 doubles team of Grace Wright-Sophia Brands added the third point for the Lions as they made short work of Grace Teed-Margaret McGovern, 6-1, 6-0.

The Lions close out their season with a record of 16-2.

3A semifinals: Southern Lehigh saw its historical run come to an end in the PIAA Class 3A semifinals when it fell to SpringFord, 4-0.

The Spartans’ girls team had never reached the state semifinals since the inception of the team tournament.

“This was a great experience for the girls,” Southern Lehigh coach Andraea Drabenstott said. “I’m hoping this inspired the underclassmen to continue to work hard. Now they see what they have to do to up their game and get to the next level.”

Despite falling 6-0, 6-0, Evelyn Wang played several close points, including some at deuce, against a talented player in Mia

Matriccino.

Southern Lehigh’s Michelle Li started to find her groove in the second set at No. 2 singles against Isabel Mejia, but it was too little, too late in a 6-0, 6-3 loss.

A bright spot for the Spartans came at No. 3 singles when Erica Wang battled Cady Krause. After dropping the first set 6-2, Wang battled back to capture the second set by an identical score. The third set was not played because the team score was already decided.

2ASEMIFINALS

Moravian Academy3,Villa Maria Academy1 Singles: Tara Thomas (VMA) over Isabella Bartolacci, 6-0, 6-3; Chessie Bartolacci (MA) over Ryleigh Valone, 6-1, 6-1; Jamilie Atiyeh (MA) over Anna Poranski, 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles: DeDee Hoffman-Yan Yu (MA) vs.Anne Marie Prichard-Abby Consiglio DNF; Grace Wright-Sophia Brands (MA) over Grace Teed-Margaret McGovern, 6-1, 6-0.

2AFINALS

Knoch 3,MoravianAcademy0

Singles: Laura Greb over Isabella Bartolacci, 6-0, 6-1; Brooke Bauer over Chessie Bartolacci, 6-1, 6-0; Emily Greb over Jamilie Atiyeh, 6-0, 6-1.

3ASEMIFINALS

Spring-Ford 3, Southern Lehigh 0

Singles: Mia Matriccino over Evelyn Wang, 6-0, 6-0; Isabel Mejia over Michelle Li, 6-0, 6-3; Cady Krause vs. Erica Wang, 6-2, 2-6, DNF.

Doubles: Lucy Olsen-Emily Tiffen over Kayla Lebby-Kaitlyn Howie, 7-5, 6-2; Alexis Luo-Evelyn Mejia over Sophia Delp-Kayla Howie, 6-0, 6-0.