Phoenixville 7, Pottsgrove 0 >> The Phantoms dropped just one game in the singles bracket on the way to a sweep of their PAC match with the Falcons Tuesday.

Julia Gumieniak and Gina Brown went 6-0, 6-0 in their respective first- and second-singles duels. Pottsgrove’s best individual showings came at first and second doubles, where Shelby Livingstone/Carly Jenkins and Gail Kooser/Olivia Dick each won five games.

Spring-Ford 7, Pottsgrove 0 >> The Rams dropped just four games throughout the lineup in their sweep of the Falcons.

Pottsgrove’s best individual showing came at second doubles, where Kyla Hutchinson and Paige Lang won the team’s four games.

Methacton 6, Pope John Paul II 0 >> In a PAC match rescheduled from Sept. 27, the Warriors topped the Golden Panthers in straight sets.

Reigning singles champion Dina Nouaime won 6-1, 6-0 at first singles, and Tina Prince went 6-0, 6-0 at the second spot for Methacton’s best individual showing. Fourth singles was halted by darkness with Methacton’s Kylee Smith and Lina Park leading 6-2, 3-1.

Perkiomen School 5, Del-Val Friends 0 >> The Panthers dropped just one game throughout the lineup as they swept Delaware Valley Friends in Tri-County League play.

Julia Kelly and Kate Galant both scored 8-0 pro-set wins at first and third singles, respectively. Perkiomen’s doubles duos (Sherry Zhang/Maki Ashikawa, Kristine Rivera/Madita Schrott) also posted 8-0 scores.

Owen J. Roberts 5, West Chester East 2 >> Winning three of four doubles duels helped the Wildcats take their non-league match with the Vikings.

Roberts’ best individual showings came in doubles, Lien Nguyen/Loretta Jansen (third) and Reagen Amand/Jordan Sylvia (fourth) dropping just four games in their straight-set victories.

Lower Merion >> Kathi Rees is in her first year as the head coach of the Harriton girls’ tennis program, but she is no stranger to the team.

Having served as the Rams’ junior varsity head coach and assistant varsity coach last season, Rees took control early this season and has Harriton poised to make a run at a return trip to the PIAA Class AAA state finals.

On Oct. 1, the Rams took their first step when they earned a hard-fought 4-3 win over host Conestoga to earn at least a share of the Central League title with one league match remaining against Haverford Oct. 4.

Leading 3-0 thanks to wins by Sophia Sassoli at No. 1 singles; Saige Roshkoff at No. 2 singles and Lauren Binnion and Roshni Parikh at No. 2 doubles, the match was still in doubt as the final four matches all went to a deciding third set.

After the first doubles combination of Connie Richards and Mackenzie Sherman fell to Olivia Dodge and Leena Kwark, Harriton’s Nina Hoog began to take control of her match in the third and deciding set against Anaua Krishnan.

Holding a 3-1 lead, Hoog won three of the final four games to win the set 6-2 and give Harriton the match win.

“It was amazing,” said Hoog following her 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 win. “It means everything to clinch the fourth point to secure the win especially since the match was so close. I couldn’t have done it without the rest of my team who was cheering for me behind the fence.”

Binnion and Parikh put their team on the brink of victory, shaking off a slow start to post a straight set win.

“We saw our teammates next to us in a real battle, so we knew we had to focus,” said Parikh following the match. “Lauren and I were so happy we could hold it together and earn the much-needed point for our team.”

With high expectations for a seasoned team that had been to the state finals the past two consecutive seasons, Harriton Athletic Director Tom Ferguson knew he had to put the right person in place to take over former coach David Broida, who retired at the end of last season. Fortunately, Fergsuon did not have to look far as Rees agreed to take the helm.

“We were really excited when we found out she (Coach Rees) was going to be our coach,” said Parikh. “She has been a great support system for us and has help keep us focused. She was the perfect person to take over.”

Hoog echoed her teammates sentiments: “She is unbelievably organized and is always positive. She helps us through some tough times and always reminds us that we are there for each other as a team.”

Bridget Mongan and Cannitha Sythong closed out the No. 4 doubles match in three sets to lead Upper Darby to a 4-3 nonleague win over Sun Valley.

Mongan and Sythong dropped the first set, 3-6 then won the second, 6-4 before clinching the match with a 6-0 third. The Royals (6-7-1) were able to win one of three in singles play as Paula Gonger won 6-2, 6-3 in the No. 3 match.

The Vanguards started off with two wins in singles play including Devon Cronin’s 7-5, 6-1 victory in the No. 1 match. They also received a three-set win from Breezie Dimaio and Jamiee Higgins in the No. 3 doubles match.

Academy of Notre Dame 3, Germantown Friends 2 >> Ellen Lavin and Ellie Graham won the No. 1 doubles match in straight sets then Sophie McCormick and Siobhan Slattery sealed the victory for the Irish (4-3) by winning the second match, 2-6, 6-0, 6-0.

SHILLINGTON>> Alexandra Pancu is the “hammer”.

The Conrad Weiser sophomore scored her second consecutive Berks County singles title Wednesday afternoon at the courts near Governor Mifflin High School with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Wyomissing senior Vittoria D’Addesi, who made it to her first county final in her last-round.

Pancu snuck up on the field a year ago as a Weiser freshman under veteran head tennis coach Ryan Knarr; she is still only 15 years old but hardly plays like it, exuding a self-assuredness on the court defying her years.

Knarr, who has overseen Weiser’s rise to regional scholastic tennis power, tagged his undefeated sophomore ace the “hammer”: Someone at the top spot who can anchor and even inspire a program.

“Confidence is such a big part of Alex’s game,” Knarr said. “When you go two seasons and dominate like she has at the county level, it’s certainly something that is paramount to her success, being able to bring your best.

“When everything’s clicking, she’s a hard player to beat. … She’s a special, generational talent.”

Any pressure Pancu might have felt with the bull’s eye now on her back did not translate onto the court. She wrapped the finals match in 70 minutes by featuring a heavy serve and an effective slice that D’Addesi simply could not counter.

Pancu captured the first 11 games before closing it out on-serve, after dropping a pair to Wyo’s No. 1 late in the match.

“I was just staying stable, waiting for her to make the mistake,” Pancu said. “Not forcing winners, just taking it if she offered short ball, playing it safe. I would go for an aggressive shot now and then, but mostly waited back.

“My slice seemed to be a weak spot for her and it’s a really simple shot for me,” Pancu said. “It’s one of the easier ones to pull off for me and the fact it was contradicting her game made it 10 times better.”

D’Addesi, who was also undefeated coming into the final, did not contest that assertion.

“She would hit a really good backhand slice to my forehand and I just couldn’t put enough topspin on it to bring it back,” D’Addesi said. “It was so low and I couldn’t get under it enough. I was trying to combat that, but I had never played anyone with that strategy before, so it was definitely hard for me to overcome.”

D’Addesi admitted to nerves before the final.

“First set, I wasn’t playing best my best. I was a little nervous because this was the first time I had made to a county final,” she admitted. “But you have to have fun with it, too. I had nothing to lose so I was just here to play my best and have fun.

“As much as I wanted to win, I didn’t want to be in my head, have a bad attitude throughout the match. I’d rather have realistic expectations and have fun with it, than unrealistic expectations and be disappointed.”

Pancu’s repeat victory gives the Scouts consecutive county champs in girls’ tennis, a fact not lost on program architect Knarr.

“We set out seven years ago, when we started the Conrad Weiser Tennis Association, a community tennis association, and we planted the seeds very young,” Knarr said. “Alex has been right there, since fourth grade. You plant those seeds, you invest the effort, the coaches and everybody, that will pay off. And now, you’re starting to see the fruits of that labor.

“We just don’t want to plant a seed or two, we want to build an orchard. We want to have players every year who can come right up. When we graduate players, they’ll be there to jump right in.”

Methacton 6, Boyertown 1 >> The Warriors took all but one pairing in straight sets in their PAC match with the Bears Wednesday.
Methacton’s best individual showings belonged to Dina Nouaime (first singles), Tina Prince (second singles) and Julia Jablanski and Katie Chan (third doubles), all of whom won by 6-0, 6-0 sets. Boyertown’s point was scored by Kara Bussinger at third singles.

Owen J. Roberts 7, Pope John Paul II 0 >> The Wildcats dropped just three games in the singles bracket as they swept the Golden Panthers in a PAC match.
Roberts’ best individual showing came from its second-doubles team of Maria Monteleone and Loretta Jansen, which won in a pair of 6-0, 6-0 sets. PJP’s fourth-doubles tandem of Kylee Smith and Sydney Farnsworth led its effort by forcing a 7-5 tiebreaker in the second set.

Hill School 4, Princeton Day 2 >> A sweep of the doubles bracket was the key to the Blues’ non-league victory over Princeton Day School.
Doubles play was tight, with all contests featuring either tiebreakers or going three sets. Marina Mendez and Mofe Akinyanme had Hill’s best showing in the bracket, winning 7-6, 7-3 in the second spot.

West Chester Rustin 7, Phoenixville 0 >> The Phantoms dropped a non-conference matchup against the Golden Knights.
Rustin’s Cassie Hung posted a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 decision at first singles while Julia DiCampli followed with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win at second singles.

Spring-Ford 6, Souderton 1 >> The Indians swept through the doubles bracket on the way to a non-league win over the Indians.
The pairing of Rachel Reiniger/Casey Goldestein posted a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 decision at first singles. Kathryn Alvarez and Isabel Mejia posted wins at first and second singles.

Academy Park’s Del Val streak unbeaten run continued Wednesday when the Knights defeated Penn Wood in a rare double-header, both matches ending 5-0.

The Knights (6-6, 5-0 Del Val) also clinched their sixth consecutive Del Val title. The top singles made the difference for Academy Park. And 2018 league champion Camille Erskine returned to the No. 2 role and won two matches against Fatoumata Diarra, while 2016 and 2017 league champ Rajh Azor beat Sallay Thollie across two matches.

In the Central League:

Upper Darby 4, Springfield 3 >> Freshman Bridget Mongan has had quite the two days for the Royals (7-7-1 overall, 2-7-1 Central League).

Tuesday, she played a three-set doubles match, and then turned around Wednesday to find a new partner, Sweatha Kalanker. They not only battled through another three-setter, but they had to do it with the match on the line. The pair of Royals delivered a 2-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Kimmy Connor and Natalie Noce to clinch Upper Darby’s second league win of the season.

Strath Haven 7, Penncrest 0 >> It was straight sets one through seven for the Panthers as they ran away with the tennis’ version of the Media Bowl. Megan Kidd set the tone with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Sarah Chang in first singles.

In the Ches-Mont:

Sun Valley 4, Coatesville 3 >> Devin Cronin won her fifth match in her last six outings, defeating Marley Jones of Coatesville, 6-0, 6-1. The Vanguards clinched the victory with an even split, two wins in singles, two in doubles. The second doubles pair of Jaimee Higgins and Breezie Dimaio beat Yamilet Resendiz and Kiley Berkheimer, 6-0, 6-0.

In nonleague play:

Phil-Mont Christian 4, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy 2 >> The Cougars put up a strong fight on the road but came up short. The teams played pro-set with Hannah Parish defeating Symone Delago, 8-5 in first singles.

In first doubles, J.M. Barrack got their second point, this one from Anita Hoffman and Daniela Barrow. They beat Journey Burroughs and Yera Park, 8-5.

Stephanie Huseby and Mya Bellopede won in straight sets as Cardinal O’Hara claimed the final three matches to down Archbishop Wood, 3-2 in the semifinal round of the Philadelphia Catholic League girls tennis playoffs.

Huseby and Bellopede closed out the No. 2 doubles match, 6-3, 6-1 to seal the Lions victory. Mary Clare Hayden took home the No. 3 three singles match in straight sets, and the tandem of Kathryn Toal and Michelle DiScalla won 6-2, 6-2 in the first doubles match.

The Lions will look to win their fifth straight league title Monday against the winner of Lansdale Catholic and Archbishop Carroll. That match was suspended by rain and will be finished Saturday.

In the Central League

Penncrest 5, Haverford 2 >> Skyler Smith needed three sets for a win at second singles, and Theodora Greco and Layla Phillips pulled out a three-set win at third doubles to pace the Lions.

Jessica Au and Amy Cunningham, and Maddie Williams and Olivia Gerhart won in straight sets at second and fourth doubles, respectively for Haverford.

In the Inter-Ac:

Agnes Irwin 4, Academy of Notre Dame 2 >> Camilla Gowar and Natalie Cochin took No. 1 doubles, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, while the other three doubles tandems won in straight sets for the Owls.

McKenna Bramlage did not drop a game at No. 1 singles, and Ally Dugan only dropped two in the No. 3 match for the Irish (4-4, 1-4).

Episcopal Academy 6, Germantown Academy 1 >> Ashley Kennedy, Ella Walker and Bell Calastri only dropped three games combined in singles.

Cara Harty and Eliza Aldridge won the No. 1 doubles match 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 for the Churchwomen.

In nonleague action:

Sun Valley 7, Chichester 0 >> The Vanguards put together a dominating performance as the doubles tandems of Breezie Dimaio and Jazmine La along with Jamie Horne and Paula Sy dropped one game combined.

Devin Cronin won the No. 1 singles match, 6-0, 6-0 and Maddy Koons only lost one game at second singles

Radnor’s Kanon Ciarrocchi captured the Central League Singles Tournament title Sept. 29, defeating Conestoga’s Cassidy Landau, 6-0, retired, in the championship finals. In the semifinals earlier that day, Ciarrocchi defeated Cecilia Angert-Denis of Lower Merion, 7-5, 6-1; while Landau defeated Priya Aravindhan of Conestoga, 6-1, 6-4. In the third-place match, Angert-Denis defeated Aravindhan, 6-3, 6-3.
The top six finishers in the Central League tournament automatically advance to Districts. In the fifth-place match, Harriton’s Mackenzie Sherman defeated Strath Haven’s Megan Kidd, 6-2, 7-5. Radnor’s Lucy Hederick won the seventh-place match.
In other Main Line high school sports action (the high school wrap-up is compiled from game results sent to Main Line Times & Suburban and our sister newspapers):

Boys soccer
Archbishop Carroll defeated Conwell-Egan, 2-0, Sept. 28. Sean Bruce and Jim Rolley scored for the Patriots, off assists from Nick Malloy and Thomas Lloyd. Goalie Jake Langley stopped four shots to post the shutout.
Barrack Hebrew Academy defeated AIM Academy, 4-0, Sept. 26, led by Michael Andelman (one goal, one assist), Ethan Cramer (three assists), Josh Goldstein (one goal), Josh Berkowitz (one goal), Avi Loren (one goal) and Ilan Gordon (eight saves).
Episcopal Academy (9-0-1) defeated Germantown Academy, 3-0, Tuesday. Goals were scored by Gabriel Furey (assisted by Harrison Malone). Jack Pacera (assisted by Samuel Wilson), and Wilson on a penalty kick. Goalie Trevor Manion recorded two saves and the shutout.
Friends’ Central defeated Germantown Friends, 2-1, in double overtime. The first Phoenix goal was scored by senior Zak Loudini, who headed a corner; and the game-winner was tallied by senior Carson Lonner, who scored a put back after the GFS keeper saved his penalty kick to give FCS a “Felsen Cup Point.”
Radnor defeated Penn Wood, 5-0, Sept. 29. Eliot Hayes and Ben Engstrom both had a goal and an assist. Jake Lee, Seamus Kennedy and Peter Vitale also tallied for the Raiders (9-1-1).
Shipley (4-3-2, 2-0-1) defeated Cardinal O’Hara, 4-1, on Super Saturday Sept. 29. The Gators were trailing 1-0 when in the 15th minute Shipley junior Jimmy Fallon curled a free kick into the far post to tie up the score. Minutes later, freshman Jamie Lenart curled a corner kick into the 6 yard box, where junior Brian McDaid glanced the ball into the corner with a diving header to make it 2-1. In the second half, sophomore AJ Piscopo cleared a ball from the backline to find fellow sophomore Johnathon Parsons racing through the backline. Parsons muscled off two O’Hara defenders and sent the ball low and around the onrushing goalie for a 3-1 lead. With seven minutes left, Fallon played a free kick into the box to a leaping Johnny Lenart, who headed the ball into the upper corner for a 4-1 lead.
Two days earlier, Shipley tied Westtown 1-1. The Gators scored first in the 25th minute on a header by senior Johnny Lenart off a flick on by junior Brian McDaid. Gator keeper Dean Manor made some key saves.

Girls’ soccer
Barrack Hebrew Academy defeated Del Val Friends, 4-0, Sept. 26, led by Lexie Schacter (one goal, two assists), Dayna Fegler (one goal), Jenna Ufberg (one goal), Jessie Singer (one goal), Ava Bloom (one assist) and Jenna Rose (seven saves).
Conestoga defeated West Chester East, 3-0, Sept. 29. Caitlin Donovan’s two goals paved the way for another victory for the Pioneers (10-1-1).
Episcopal Academy tied Springside Chestnut Hill, 1-1, Tuesday. Raina Kuzemka scored the lone EA goal, with an assist from Olivia Dirks. Allie Bush had one saves for the Churchwomen.
EA edged Pennington School, 1-0, Sept. 29. Bella Piselli scored in the second half off a pass from Kendal Ellison. It was one of few opportunities on net for the Churchwomen (4-4-1), who were outshot, 15-6. EA goalie Allie Bush stopped all 16 shots she faced.
One day earlier, Episcopal Academy’s Olivia Dirks scored twice in the second half to pace EA to a 4-1 Inter-Ac League victory over Academy of Notre Dame. Dirks scored the go-ahead goal 21 seconds into the second half off assists from Lauren Cunningham and Raina Kuzemka and closed out the scoring with 8:36 to play off a feed from Anna Salvucci, who also set up Kuzemka for EA’s first goal. Maggie O’Brien had the lone goal for the Irish.
Friends’ Central defeated George School, 1-0, Tuesday. Julia Burd scored the game’s lone goal, assisted by Ryan Lynch. FCS goalie Eva Bartholomew had five saves and recorded the shutout.
Merion Mercy Academy defeated Mount St. Joseph, 4-3, Monday. Teresa Hegarty scored two goals, and Zoie Dodd and Caitlin Spillane each tallied one. Three days earlier, the Golden Bears defeated Nazareth Academy, 1-0, in double overtime Sept. 28. Teresa Hegarty scored the game-winner.
Shipley defeated Friends Select, 6-0, Tuesday. getting goals from four different players, including freshman Jaiden Griffin, who also had an assist. Goalie Abby Aughe had three saves in recording the shutout.

Field hockey
Academy of Notre Dame senior Lauren Curran scored a hat trick to lead the Irish to a 4-3 win against Germantown Academy Tuesday. Mia Leonhardt had a goal and two assists for Notre Dame (10-0-1, 3-0).
Curran scored twice, including the winner four minutes into overtime, to lift the Irish to a 3-2 victory over the Episcopal Academy Sept. 28. She tallied her first goal to give Notre Dame a 1-0 lead and then converted a pass from Mia Leonhardt off of a corner for her 19th goal of the season to extend Notre Dame’s winning streak to four games. Episcopal had a 2-1 lead thanks to a pair of goals from Gianna Pantaleo and strong goaltending by Caroline Kelly. Riley Gillin put home a pass from Jess Schneider with seven minutes left in regulation to tie the contest and send the game into overtime. Kelly stopped 19 shots and Lauren Devietian added three defensive saves for EA (3-1-2, 1-1-1).
Agnes Irwin (4-3, 1-2) defeated Bishop Shanahan, 4-0, Monday. Hadley Evans scored twice, and single goals were tallied by Emma van der Veen and Marissa White. Avery Niedland dished out an assist, and Paige DiLullo recorded four saves.
Archbishop Carroll (10-1, 5-0) defeated Agnes Irwin, 3-1, Tuesday. Carleigh Connors had a hat trick, with assists from Keri Daly and Maeve Riehman. Carroll goalie Mary Kate Kearney recorded nine saves.
Episcopal Academy (4-1-2) defeated Springside Chestnut Hill, 7-1, Tuesday, getting two goals from Kelly Smith and one each from Gianna Pantaleo, Maddie Rehak, Kathleen Anderson, Macy Szukics and Grace Szafara. Assists were dished out by Anderson, Szukics, Pantaleo, Szafara and Sofia Acosta.
Friends’ Central lost to George School, 4-0, Tuesday, but got 17 saves from goalie Nora Wadsworth.
Radnor defeated Archbishop Wood, 6-0, Sept. 29. Page Lowry tallied four goals, Barb Civitella and Janie Hoysgaard one each to lead the Raiders to victory. Goalie Rory Harper got the clean sheet. Civitella, Page Lowry, Madison Milous and Bridget Lowry had one assist each.
Sacred Heart’s Julie Flood scored two goals and the defense did the rest as the Lions (4-5, 2-5) cruised to a 2-1 victory over Villa Joseph Marie Sept. 29. Flood scored twice in the first half, giving her a team-leading 11 goals on the season. Goalie Gigi Backe registered seven saves for the Lions. Amanda Heilmann and Lily Flanagan were outstanding on defense for Sacred Heart.
Shipley defeated Moorestown Friends, 3-2, getting goals from senior forward Sydney Nagorsky (assisted by senior Emma Durham), senior midfielder Kate Scutt and senior Chloe Sobel (assisted by junior forward Carolina Riley). Senior goalie Taylor Wells had 16 saves and junior back Gianna McDougall had a goal line save
The Gators defeated Westtown, 2-1, Sept. 27, as with 1:56 left in the game, junior back Gianna McDougall scored off of a corner shot from senior captain Kate Scutt to win the game. Shipley junior forward Carolina Riley scored the first goal with 1:27 seconds left in the first half, assisted by senior captain forward Sydney Nagorsky. Head coach Avery Safford said, “In the second half, our backs, senior Alison McDonald, junior Gianna McDougall, and freshman Livvy Kaliner, really stepped it up and kept our team afloat.”

Girls’ tennis
Academy of Notre Dame (4-3) defeated Germantown Friends, 3-2, Tuesday, getting straight set wins from McKenna Bramlage at first singles, and the first doubles team of Ellen Lavin and Ellie Graham. The Notre Dame second doubles team of Sophie McCormick and Siobhan Slattery also was victorious.
Baldwin School (5-1, 3-0) defeated Springside, 7-0, Tuesday. The top three Singles players, Torrie Smith, Izzy Antanavicius and Presley Daggett all won in straight sets. The doubles teams of Alexis Shatzman and Alexa Diecidue, Teagan Krane and Hana Ahanger, Grace Lavin and Devon Shatzman and Berlyn Squillaro and Abby Dubinsky all won in straight sets.
Barrack Hebrew Academy lost to Friends Select, 4-1, Sept. 26. The Cougars’ first doubles team of Ellie Sherwood and Daniela Barrow was victorious.
Episcopal Academy (8-0) defeated Academy of Notre Dame, 7-0, Monday, winning all matches in straight sets, including Ashley Kennedy at first singles, Ella Walker at second singles and Bella Calastri at third singles.
Friends’ Central defeated Central High, 7-0, Tuesday. Skye Victor at first singles and Anna Volpp at third singles won in straight sets.
Harriton defeated Marple Newtown, 5-0, Sept. 27 (two matches did not finish because of rain). Winners were Sophia Sassoli, Saige Roshkoff and Nina Hoog at singles and the doubles teams of Connie Richards/Mackenzie Sherman and Roshni Parikh/Lauren Binnion.
Merion Mercy Academy (9-4, 8-4) defeated Villa Maria, 3-2, Monday. Chloe Abramowitz at first singles and Nina Dzidic at second singles won in straight sets, and Merion’s first doubles team of Zoe Brennan and Maddie Ott won, 6-2, 6-7 (8-10), 6-3.
Three days earlier, MMA defeated Villa Maria, 4-1. Chloe Abramowitz, Nina Dzidic and Maddie Urbano all won their singles matches in straight sets, and the second doubles team of Molly McGurk and Lara Smith also won in straight sets.
Shipley (5-1, 2-1) defeated Westtown, 4-1, Sept. 28. The Gators’ singles trio of Tori Allen, Phoebe Fry and Lilia Becker all won their matches in straight sets, as did the Shipley first doubles duo of Audrey Fink and Isabella Scardapane.
Villa Maria Academy lost to Merion Mercy, 3-2, Monday. The Hurricanes’ Kathy Logan at third singles won in straight sets, and the second doubles team of Molly McGurk and Lara Smith also was victorious for VMA.

Girls’ volleyball
Academy of Notre Dame (6-1, 2-0) won its sixth straight 3-0 match with a non-league victory over visiting West Chester East by scores of 25-9, 25- 21 and 25-11. Riley Shaak provided the offensive fire power with 16 kills and seven aces while shoring up the defense with eight blocks. Grace Clairk and Ciara Hibbs added to the defensive effort with a combined 13 digs. while Gracie Guerrin continued her strong serving with to service runs of five points.
Baldwin School earned its first-ever victory against Germantown Academy, 3-2, Tuesday. After losing the two sets, 17-25,and 10-25, the Polar Bears won set 3, 25-21, then put together a strong run after being down 13-20 to win the fourth set, 25-17. In the fifth set, after trailing 7-10, the Polar Bears came together to down the host, 15-12. Leading the Polar Bears were Cartier Thomas (seven aces, 33 assists), Tessa Pearlstein (15 kills, three blocks, two aces), Anajah Brown (10 kills, five blocks), Georgia Dahm (six kills), Laura Pellicano (six kills, 11 digs), Makayla Pratt (six kills), Taylor Trapp (11 digs, three aces) and Elise Kait (six aces, six digs).
The Polar Bears defeated Springside Chestnut Hill, 3-0, Sept. 28, posting scores of 25-10, 25-23, and 25-22. Leading the Polar Bears were Cartier Thomas (four aces, 13 assists), Tessa Pearlstein (seven kills, five blocks), Anajah Brown (six kills, one block), Georgia Dahm (four kills, two blocks), Taylor Trapp (four aces, nine digs) and Elise Kait (three aces, three digs).
Lower Merion defeated Marple Newtown, 3-0, Sept. 26, posting scores of 25-10, 25-19, 26-24. Talia Morris led the way with 13 kills, four aces and two blocks, while Adi David and Sara Beqiraj combined for 28 assists.
Merion Mercy Academy defeated Nazareth, 3-0, Sept. 27, posting scores of 25-6, 25-13, 25-12. The Golden Bears were led by Nicole Nowlan (eight kills, six aces), Annie Butler (nine kills), Ceara Grady (four aces) and Monica Merenda (17 assists).
Radnor defeated Sacred Heart, 3-2, Sept. 28. Trailing 13-8 in the final set, co-captain Sammy Scannapieco (24 digs) served seven straight points to give the Raiders the 18-25, 27-25, 25-19, 25-27, 15-13 victory. Serving was the story of the night for Radnor. As a team, the Raiders had 26 aces, led by Erica DiCarlo, who recorded seven aces, four kills, 31 assists and 14 digs. Izzy Criscuolo was strong in the middle with eight kills and three blocks. Grayce Henderson led the attack with 14 kills.
Villa Maria Academy defeated West Chester Henderson, 3-1, Monday, led by Lizzie Acchione (17 kills), Kara Schiek, Kelsey Hoff (40 assists) and Alivia Orvieto (24 digs).

Cross-country
Episcopal Academy runner Jill McEntee finished second in a tri-meet with Germantown Academy and Agnes Irwin Tuesday. Teammate Kathryn Lynn placed fourth.
Friends’ Central (girls) defeated George School, 19-38, Tuesday, as FCS runners Rebecca Wusinich (20:19) Micah Trusty (21:07) and Lydia Russell (21:47) finished 1-2-3.
The Phoenix competed at the Paul Short Invitational Sept. 29, and the FCS boys participated in the HS White 5K Race and the girls in the the HS Brown 5K Race. The FCS girls, who placed 23rd of 39 teams, were led by Micah Trusty (19:00), who finished eighth, and followed by Rebecca Wusinich (19:03) in ninth. The FCS boys, who placed 29th of 41 teams, were led by Alex Veith (17:51) and Ethan Cohen (18:34).
Haverford School lost to Episcopal Academy, 24-31, Tuesday, despite a second-place finish by A.J. Sanford (18:12).
Shipley (girls) defeated Abington Friends, 20-42, Tuesday, as Alyssa Chandler and Sonya Joseph finished second and third. For the Shipley boys, who lost 20-42 to AFS, sophomore Zach Freels took home his first individual win of the season with a time of 20:30.

Water polo
Episcopal Academy (girls) defeated Lawrenceille, 18-10, Sept. 26. EA leaders included Jovana Sekulic (nine goals, 15 steals), Margot LeRoux (three goals, three assists, two steals) and Katie Brian (15 saves).

If Radnor’s Kanon Ciarrocchi is going to qualify for the PIAA Class 3A singles tournament for the first time, the Central League champion will have to go through a familiar foe to do so.

The fifth-seeded Ciarrocchi won a pair of straight set victories Friday to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals of the District 1 singles championships to set up yet another showdown with fourth-seeded Jordan Bradley of Downingtown West.

The winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal match at Legacy automatically qualifies for the state tournament. The top four individuals in the district tournament advance to states.

It’s the third straight year the pair have met in the district singles tournament. Bradley knocked Ciarrocchi out in the quarterfinals last season, 6-1, 6-4, and scored a 6-1, 7-6 (7-1) win in the second round in 2016.

Ciarrocchi defeated West Chester Henderson’s Hanna Baxter, 6-1, 6-2 in the first round and Conestoga’s Priya Aravindhan, 6-0, 6-2, to reach the quarterfinals for the second year in a row.

All of the other Delco entries lost in the first round. Academy Park’s Camille Erskine fell to Aravindhan, 6-0, 6-1. Sallay Thollie of Penn Wood dropped a 6-0, 6-0 decision to Lower Merion’s Cecilia Anger-Denis and Megan Kidd of Strath Haven fell to Stow Weiss of Mount St. Joseph, 6-3, 6-2.

In Class 2A, Delco Christian’s Brette Foutch advanced to Saturday’s final with a pair of victories. The second-seeded Foutch defeated Bean Hughes of Upper Moreland in the quarterfinals, 6-0, 6-0 and then knocked off third-seeded Hannah Crew of St. Basil in the semis, 6-0, 6-2. Foutch faces top-seeded Nikole Lisovyy for the title. Only the district champion qualifies for the state tournament.

In nonleague action:

Upper Darby 4, Delco Christian 3 >> Adrienne Loc and Hannah Asaya overcame a three-game deficit in the second set at first doubles to post a 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) victory and pace the Royals to their third straight victory.

Loc and Asaya were down 5-2 in the second set before rallying for the win. Camryn Shultz (first singles), and Jen Donsanouphit and Bianca Garcia (second doubles) and Bridget Mongan and Tarana Ananna (third doubles) came up with big wins for UD.

Daphne Neal and Ersy Neal won in straight sets at second and third singles, respectively, for the Knights.

Springfield 4, Academy Park 1 >> A 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-2 win at first doubles by Deanna Williams and Kaitlin Siddons powered the Cougars past the Knights. Mia Graci came up with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 victory at third singles.

After competing in the District 1 singles tournament Camille Erskine scored a 7-6 (7-5), 6-0 win at No. 2 singles for Academy Park’s only victory.

District 1 >> Four players from the Pioneer Athletic Conference won first-round matches before second-round ousters in the District 1 Singles tournament Friday at Healthplex.

Owen J. Roberts’ Elaina Lee, Phoenixville’s Julia Gumieniak, Spring-Ford’s Tori Alexander and Methacton’s Tina Prince all qualified for the round of 16. Lee was a 6-1, 6-0 winner of Downingtown East’s Tali Levine before falling to Central Bucks East’s Sydney Lund, 6-2, 6-1. Gumieniak handled Wissahickon’s Jenny Landells, 6-1, 6-2, before being overmatched by Downingtown West’s Jordan Bradley, the 2017 runner-up, 6-0, 6-1. Bradley took out another PAC player in the first round, Methacton’s Dina Nouaime, the PAC singles champion, 6-0, 6-1.

Prince, the Warriors’ No. 2 in the regular season, was a three-set winner over Rustin’s Cassie Hung, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. She went three sets again in the second round but fell to Conestoga’s Cassidy Landau, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. Alexander rallied past Plymouth-Whitemarsh’s Elizaveta Smaliak, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, before going out to No. 2 seeded Amelia Honer of Council Rock North, 6-3, 6-2.

Pottstown’s Sierra Everett represented the PAC in Class AA. She fell to Merion Mercy’s Nina Dzidic, 6-1, 6-0.

Peddie School 5, Hill School 2 >> The Hill dropped its MAPL opener. Hill winners were Elena Zhang, who rolled at No. 1 singles, 6-1, 6-0 over Kathyrn Fang, while Carla Canales won at No. 4 singles, 6-2, 6-0. Mofe Akinyanmi and Haley Wisniewski won their No. 3 doubles match, 8-3.

PHILADELPHIA >> A pair of friends will battle for the District 1 Class AAA girls tennis singles title on Oct. 24.

North Penn’s Neha Velaga and Council Rock North’s Amelia Honer each won their quarterfinal and semifinal matches on Saturday at the Legacy Youth Tennis and Education Center to advance to face each other in the championship. They will return to the East Falls tennis complex for the title match.

Honer, Velaga and Souderton junior Caitlin Le, who Honer beat, 6-4, 6-4, to advance to the final, have faced each other in high school matches and USTA competitions.

“I’m excited,” Honer said. “Playing Neha is always really fun, and we’re good friends, so it should be a good match.”

The title match will be a matchup of the top two seeds in the bracket. Honer, the No. 2 seed, came back from a 4-2 deficit in the second set after losing a break point on deuce situation. Souderton’s Le nearly broke her to take a 5-2 lead, but she held serve by winning the advantage. Honer broke Le while trailing, 4-3, and then again to win the match.

“I was focused on being aggressive, trying to move her around and trying to keep myself together mentally because she gets every single ball back,” Honer said.

Souderton’s Caitlin Le lost in the District 1-AAA girls tennis singles semifinals to Council Rock North’s Amelia Honer on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Evan Easterling/For Digital First Media)

Honer said breaking Le helped her feel more comfortable on her service game. Honer also broke Le to win the first set.

“She was really consistent, and she was stepping in on a lot of my balls,” Le said. “She was being really aggressive. She wasn’t playing defensive. She was just stepping in really well and she was playing really well at the net.”

Velaga started her day by beating Central Bucks East’s Sydney Lund, 6-2, 6-2. She then beat Downingtown West’s Jordan Bradley by the same score in the semifinal round.

Le faces Bradley in the third-place match Oct. 24. All four semifinalists qualified for the PIAA singles tournament Nov. 2-3 at Hershey Racquet Club.

Before Saturday, Bradley had only dropped two games in the district tournament. She beat both Methacton’s Dina Nouaime and Phoenixville’s Julia Gumienak, 6-0, 6-1, to reach the quarterfinal round.

The second game of the second set was one of the key events of the match, North Penn coach Alex DeCecco said. After winning the first set, Velaga won a game that went to deuce to avoid going down 2-0 and hold serve. Then she broke Bradley later in the set while leading, 4-2.

Velaga and Honer faced each other earlier this season, and Velaga won in three sets, DeCecco said.

“She’s just mentally tough,” he said. “Besides her game on the court, she’s so mentally tough and so mature out there.”

Velaga said attacking at the net helped her beat Bradley. She remains undefeated as she advances to the final.

“It feels amazing to represent North Penn,” Velaga said. “It feels really good.”

North Penn’s Neha Velaga advanced to the District 1-AAA girls tennis singles final on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Evan Easterling/For Digital First Media)

Lower Moreland’s Lisovyy wins District 1-AA singles title

Lower Moreland’s Nikole Lisovyy won a battle of two freshmen to claim the district singles title.

She beat Delaware County Christian School’s Brette Foutch, 6-3, 6-4, in the early afternoon.

Lisovyy has found immediate success at the high school level after previously being home-schooled for two years and training in Florida.

Lower Moreland coach Jeanette Hausman said Lisovyy played aggressively even though she didn’t have her best performance. Lisovyy said keeping Foutch behind the baseline was important to her success.

“As soon as (Foutch) got into the court, she was always hitting such amazing shots and I was having a hard time getting it back,” Lisovyy said. “But when I was keeping her back, she was making more errors, which went to my benefit.”

“She stayed aggressive on her backhand, tried to keep the balls deep, and to Brette’s credit, she just ran everything down,” Hausman said. “And usually when Nikole hits those kind of shots, those points are out of the picture, and Brette just ran everything down today so it made it for a tough match.”

District I Class AAA Results
Quarterfinals
North Penn Neha Velaga def. Central Bucks East Sydney Lund, 6-2, 6-2
Downingtown West Jordan Bradley def. Radnor Kanon Ciarrochi, 6-2, 6-3
Souderton Caitlin Le def. Conestoga Cassidy Landau, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1
Council Rock North Amelia Honer def. Mount Saint Joseph Academy Stow Weiss, 6-0, 6-2
Semifinals
North Penn Neha Velaga def. Downingtown West Jordan Bradley, 6-2, 6-2
Council Rock North Amelia Honer def. Souderton Caitlin Le, 6-4, 6-4
Consolation
Central Bucks East Sydney Lund def. Radnor Kanon Ciarrochi, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2
Mount Saint Joseph Academy Stow Weiss def. Conestoga Cassidy Landau, walkover

The Radnor junior captured the Central League singles championship this fall, in her second season of holding down the No. 1 singles spot for the Raiders. She was Radnor’s Most Valuable Player as a sophomore, posting a 14-3 record (9-2 league) and earning first team All-Central League honors.

Q: What is your sharpest memory of the Central League singles championship?

A: It would definitely be before I went on to play the final against Cassidy Landau from Conestoga. I’ve played her probably six or seven times and I was so determined to beat her to get the title. Although she withdrew with an injury, I was glad that I was able to play one of the best matches I’ve ever played against a friendly rival.

Q: How do you see your leadership role on the team as Radnor’s first singles player for the past 1 ½ seasons?

A: I’ve never really viewed myself as a leader of the team since there are senior captains who get everyone pumped before matches, but I’m honored that I can take on the role of being at the top of the ladder and try to motivate the rest of the team to play their best.

Q: What do you feel has been your best match of the season to date? What was working particularly well for you that day?

A: I think my best match of the season would be when I played Cecilia Denis at Lower Merion. I remember winning the first set fairly easily and getting panicked once she started the second set out very aggressively. I lost the second set, but I was able to maintain my calm and close it out in the third without dropping a game. I chose this match because I kept my concentration well, and was able to forget about the last couple sets to get the win.

Q: Who are your favorite tennis players? Do you try to pattern your game after any of them?

A: My favorite tennis player is Juan Martin del Potro. He has one of the best forehands in the world and I think my forehand is my best shot. I remember watching him being down two sets to love against Dominic Thiem in the U.S Open and coming back to win it in five. I admired his will to win and his not giving up. I think our games are very similar because we both rely on our forehands and use our backhands to just keep us in the point unless we get the chance to hit a winner.

Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game? What part of your game are you currently working on the most?

A: I think the strongest part of my game is my forehand, and lately, I believe that my movement on the court has been helping me out a lot by getting to shots that I normally could not have gotten to before. Most of my winners come from my forehand during matches. I’m currently working on coming into the net and finishing points with volleys, swing volleys, and overheads. I used to be scared of going to the net, but now I have gained more confidence and it has been appearing more in my game.

Q: Who have been your top tennis mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from them?

A: My top tennis mentor is my coach, Jarrod Grant. He’s been helping me get better at the sport for the past four years, and my game has drastically improved since I have started working with him. He tells me to stick to my game plan and not give up when I’m playing a match.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-match preparation the day of a match.

A: Sometimes before a match, I’ll find someone to hit with and I’ll warm up all of my strokes until I feel comfortable. Other times I’ll make sure to stretch and jump rope to get my heart rate going.

Q: What is your favorite tennis venue, and why?

A: My favorite tennis venue is probably Louis Armstrong Stadium at the U.S Open. It’s big, but it’s not as big as Arthur Ashe, which I like because it feels more intimate.

Q: What is your favorite academic subject at Radnor High School? What do you think you might like to major in at college? Is there a career path that particularly appeals to you at the present time?

A: My favorite subject at Radnor would probably be English. I like writing and answering questions that don’t have a specific answer. Lately, I’ve been thinking about majoring in business, or possibly international business because I am half Japanese and bilingual, so I think I could go far with a job in the field.

Fun facts – Kanon Ciarrocchi

Favorite place to visit: Tokyo, Japan

Favorite pre-match meal: Pasta with chicken.

Family members: parents Steve and Hiromi, younger sister Leina Ciarrocchi.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)

To view a photo gallery of the Main Line Girls Athletes of the Week from 2013 to present, click here

Lucy Hederick outlasted her opponent in three sets at second singles as Radnor swept Methacton, 5-0 in the opening round of the District 1 Class 3A Girls Tennis Tournament.

Hederick won, 6-3 to open the match, dropping the second, 3-6 and closed things out with a 10-7 victory in the third set. Kanon Ciarrocchi took home a 6-3, 7-6(3) win in the No. 1 singles match and the tandem of Grace Figerio and Jessica Gusdorff won in straight sets in the No. 2 doubles match to seal the sweep. The sixth-seeded Raiders advance to Thursday’s quarterfinals against No. 3 seed Unionville.

In the Central League:

Haverford 6, Ridley 1 >> The Fords (6-11, 4-7) won all three singles matches in straight sets including Zoe Bozman’s 6-2, 7-5 victory in the No. 3 match.

Maddie Williams and Olivia Gerhart put together a gritty win in the No. 4 doubles match taking the third set, 10-7.

The Raiders were led by the tandem of Saige Thammavong and Taylor Dath, who took home the sole victory for their side, 6-1, 6-2.

In the Inter-Ac:

Episcopal Academy 7, Springside Chestnut Hill 0 >> Ashley Kennedy, Ella Walker and Bella Calastri did not drop a game in singles play to help the Churchwomen (10-0, 4-0) remain undefeated.

Episcopal Academy only dropped two games in the doubles competition, which included two straight-set victories in No. 1 (Cara Harty-Eliza Aldridge) and No. 2 (Grace Hennigan-Caroline Burt) match.

In nonleague action:

Sun Valley 6, Bonner & Prendergast 1 >> Devon Cronin and Maddy Koons picked up straight-set victories in the No.1 and No.2 singles matches, respectively, to earned their fourth individual wins in a row.

Amanda Neubauer and Kaitlin Lynch pulled out the toughest match of the day against the Pandas’ Crisolin Prakash and Destiny Pierre-Matthieu, winning 6-4, 7-5.

Bonner & Prendergast claimed a victory in the No. 4 doubles match as Mackensie Dyer and Dominique Dyer won in three sets 6-1, 2-6, 6-0.

Downingtown West 4, Spring-Ford 1 >> A win at second doubles was the lone point the Rams scored against the Whippets in the District 1-AAA Team Tournament Tuesday.

Emma Griffin and Lucy Olsen posted a 5-7, 6-4, 13-11 victory over West’s Kayla Grignano/Lily Zebluim tandem. Spring-Ford’s next best effort came at first singles, where Tori Alexander extended the Whippets’ Jordan Bradley to three sets.

Perkiomen School 4, Del-Val Friends 1 >> The Panthers spotted Delaware Valley Friends a point at first singles, then won out the rest of the way for a Tri-County League victory.

Perkiomen’s best individual showing came at first doubles, where Maki Ashizawa and Kristine Rivera won in an 8-0 pro set.

The Radnor High School field hockey team defeated Lower Merion, 8-1, Tuesday for its 10th straight win. The Raiders were led by Page Lowry (three goals, one assist), Janie Hoysgaard (two goals), Barbara Civitella (one goal, one assist), Genevieve (one goal, one assist), Olivia Shea (one goal, one assist) and Brigid Lowry (one assist). The defense was led by Hope Delaney, Meredith Webb and Olivia Decain, with Phoebe Proctor in goal making several key saves.

The Raiders beat Upper Perkiomen, 3-0, Oct. 6 for their ninth consecutive win. Margaret Mooney had two goals, both assisted by Madison Milhous. Page Lowry also scored. The Raiders received strong defense by Hope Delaney, Olivia Decain and Meredith Webb. Phoebe Proctor had six saves.

The Raiders defeated Marple Newtown, 4-0, Oct. 4, for its sixth consecutive league victory. In the second half, Olivia Shea broke the scoring ice, scoring on an assist from Page Lowry. Brigid Lowry put one in off a corner and Barbara Civitella had the last two goals.

In other Main Line high school sports action (the high school wrap-up is compiled from game results sent to Main Line Times & Suburban and our sister newspapers):

Field hockey

Academy of Notre Dame (11-0-1, 4-0) defeated Penn Charter, 9-1, Oct. 4. Lauren Curran scored four goals, Mia Leonhardt had a hat trick, Jess Schneider dished out three assists and Riley Gillin tallied one goal and two assist.

Agnes Irwin defeated Springside Chestnut Hill, 3-0, Oct. 4, getting a hat trick from Ariana Karalis, and assists from Hadley Evans and Emma van der Veen. Goalie Paige DiLullo had five saves for the Owls (5-4, 2-2).

Archbishop Carroll (11-2, 6-0) lost to Neshaminy, 4-0, Monday. Patriots goalie Mary Kate Kearney recorded 13 saves.

The Patriots defeated McDevitt, 4-0, Oct. 5. Grace O’Neill scored two goals, and goalie Mary Kate Kearney recorded her seventh shutout.

Conestoga (12-3, 9-0) defeated Upper Darby, 15-0, Tuesday. Charlotte de Vries scored four goals and Hayley Pechin netted her first two career goals and an assist. Carly Hynd tallied four assists and Jess Mullin and Chloe Ziegler each scored twice for the Pioneers. Katie Clemson and Maddy Todd split the shutout in goal.

The Pioneers defeated Penncrest, 11-0, Oct. 4. Charlotte de Vries scored five goals and Carly Hynd tallied two goals and two assists. Annie Hirshman added two goals and freshman Caroline O’Brien scored her first career goal. Katie Clemson and Maddy Todd split the shutout in net for the Pioneers.

Episcopal Academy (7-1-2, 3-1-1) defeated Agnes Irwin, 8-1, Tuesday, getting a hat trick from Gianna Pantaleo and two goals from Maddie Rehak. Macy Szukics dished out three assists, and goalies Caroline Kelly and Gianna Cilluffo combined for seven saves.

The Churchwomen defeated Cardinal O’Hara, 6-0, Oct. 5, getting a hat trick from Maddie Rehak and single goals from Gianna Pantaleo, Kathleen Anderson and Melanie Lim. Goalie Gianna Cilluffo recorded four saves.

One day earlier, EA defeated Tower Hill, 4-0, led by Macy Szukics (two goals, one assist), Kelly Smith (one goal), Gianna Pantaleo (one goal, two assists) and Sofia Acosta (one assist).

Friends’ Central lost to Moorestown Friends, 5-0, Tuesday. Goalie Nora Wadsworth had 13 saves.

Harriton defeated Springfield, 2-0, Tuesday. Lily Silbergeld scored the first goal for the Rams, assisted by Elle Seward. The second goal was scored six minutes later by Katelin Williams. The defense held Springfield to only four corners and goalie Grace Dwyer had eight saves for the Rams.

Haverford High defeated Ridley, 6-0, Tuesday. For the Fords (13-1-1, 8-1), goals were scored by senior Carly Gannon, senior Jane Zarella, senior Megan Phillips, sophomore Sophia Conners, junior Mia Ciancio and senior Julia Klein.

Shipley lost to George School, 2-1, Tuesday. The Gators’ goal was scored by senior captain Chloe Sobel, assisted by freshman Peyton Turner.

Goalie Taylor Wells had 11 saves.

The Gators lost to Germantown Academy, 8-1, Oct. 4. Senior Goalie Taylor Wells tallied 18 saves, and senior captain Chloe Sobel scored off of a reverse sweep 4 minutes into the second half.

Boys’ soccer

Barrack Herbrew Academy lost to Collegium, 4-2, Tuesday. Josh Goldstein scored both of the Cougars’ goals. Goalies Ilan Gordon and Robbie Ufberg combined for eight saves.

Episcopal Academy (11-0-1, 3-0) defeated Penn Charter, 2-1, Tuesday. Harrison Malone had a goal and an assist, and Jack Pacdera tallied a goal. Goalie Trevor Manion had eight saves.

The Churchmen defeated Malvern Prep, 2-0, Oct. 4. Samuel Wilson tallied two goals, assisted by Rowan Brumbaugh and Jack Pacera. Trevor Manion had two saves.

Friends’ Central defeated Shipley, 2-1, Tuesday. Both FCS goals were scored by Cole Scott and assisted by Mason Davis.

Haverford School defeated defending Inter-Ac champion Springside Chestnut Hill, 2-1, Tuesday, getting two goals from Will Micheletti, with an assist from Luke Macione. Will Boyes had five saves. The backline of MJ Atkins, Brennan McBride, Nick Brill-Edwards, and Carson Demarco limited opportunities for the dangerous and speedy SCH midfielders. Micheletti scored the game-winner with 20 minutes left. In the second half, the Fords counted on contributions by their bench led by seniors Dan Calvelli and Charlie Towle to regain control of the central pitch. Sophomore sensations Zach Seamon, Trent Davis, Kieran Bradley, and Michael Bozzi generated multiple turnovers which led to counterattack chances for the Fords.

The Fords tied Penn Charter, 1-1, Oct. 4. Ten minutes into the game, the Fords’ Scott Marshall nodded the ball to Will Micheletti, whose dipping shot went over the Penn Charter keeper and into the upper left corner.

Girls’ soccer

Agnes Irwin lost to Springside Chestnut Hill, 3-0, Monday. Owl goalie Amelia Leyden recorded 12 saves.

Episcopal Academy defeated Agnes Irwin, 4-0, Tuesday. Goals were scored by Olivia Dirks, Hailee Moran, Bella Piselli and Anna Salvucci. Dirks had an assist and Salvucci dished out two assists.

The Churchwomen defeated Hun School, 4-1, Oct. 4 with the scoring led by Anna Salvucci (two goals), Ali McHugh (one goal, one assist) and Lauren Cunningham (one goal).

Friends’ Central lost to Shipley, 3-2, Tuesday. FCS goals were scored by Izzy MacFarlane and Ryan Lynch.

The Phoenix earned a 5-0 win over Abington Friends Oct. 5, improving its Friends’ Schools League record to 3-0. The Phoenix were led by Izzy MacFarlane (two goals, two assists), Juliana Aiken (scored her first career goal). Jordyn Paszamant (one goal), Sydney Stewart (one goal) and Julia Burd (two 2 assists).

Merion Mercy Academy defeated St. Hubert’s, 4-0, Oct. 6, as Teresa Hegarty tallied a hat trick and Caitlin Spillane also scored.

The Golden Bears defeated St. Basil, 2-1, Oct. 4. Teresa Hegarty and Natalie Coughlin scored goals for MMA. One day earlier, Merion Mercy defeated Gwynedd Mercy, 1-0, with Teresa Hegarty scoring the game-winner.

Shipley defeated FRiends’ Central, 3-2, Tuesday, getting goals from Mackenzie Medina, Kahlia Bailey and Elie Shapiro.

Girls’ tennis

Academy of Notre Dame (4-4, 1-4) lost to Agnes Irwin, 4-2, Oct. 4. For the Irish, McKenna Bramlage won at first singles, 6-0, 6-0; and Ally Dugan won at third singles, 6-2, 6-0.

Agnes Irwin defeated Academy of Notre Dame, 4-2, Oct. 4, sweeping the doubles matches with the duos of Camilla Gowar/Natalie Cochin, Peyton Weber/Lexie Leveron and Kathleen Ernst/Alex Lesko. Agnes Irwin’s Cate Costia won at second singles, 6-1, 6-1.

Baldwin School (7-1) defeated Upper Merion, 7-0, Tuesday. Torrie Smith, Izzy Anatanavicius and Presley Daggett all won their singles matches in straight sets. The doubles teams of Alexa Diecidue and Alexis Shatzman, Teagan Krane and Hana Ahanger, Grace Lavin and Devon Shatzman and Berlyn Squillaro and Armina Emani all won in straight sets.

The Polar Bears defeated host Penn Charter, 5-1, Oct. 4. Izzy Anatanavicious at second singles became the first Baldwin player to defeat Penn Charter’s Leila Sor, 6-2, 6-3. Presley Daggett won 6-2, 6-3 at third singles. The second doubles team of Teagan Krane and Hana Ahanger won 6-0, 6-1, the third doubles team of Grace Lavin and Devon Shatzman won 6-1, 7-5 while the

fourth doubles team of Berlyn Squillaro and Ella Goldman won 6-1, 6-3.

Barrack Hebrew Academy defeated Doane Academy, 3-0, Monday, with two matches not completed because of rain and wet courts. Ellie Sherwood won third singles at atright sets, and the Barrack duos of Gabi Grob/Daniela Barow and Sophie Levin/Anita Hoffman won at first and second doubles, respectively.

The Cougars defeated Delaware Valley, 4-1, Oct. 4. Dori Hoffman-Filler won at second singles, and Ellie Sherwood was victorious at third singles.

Episcopal Academy (10-0, 4-0) defeated Springside Chestnut Hill, 7-0, Tuesday, losing only two games. In singles, Ashley Kennedy (first singles), Ella Walker (second) and Bella Calastri (third) all won in straight sets, as did all of the EA doubles teams.

The Churchwomen defeated Germantown Academy, 6-1, Oct. 4. EA won all of the singles matches in straight sets, with Ashley Kennedy (first), Ella Walker (second) and Bella Calastri (third). The Churchwomen also won three doubles matches, with Cara Harty/Eliza Aldridge (first), Grace Hennigan/Caroline Burt (second) and Parisa Afsharian/Maddy Mitchell (third).

Harriton (12-0, 11-0) clinched the Central League championship with a 7-0 win against Haverford Oct. 3. Sophia Sassoli, Nina Hoog and Shaina Ginsberg won at singles, and the duos of Connie Richards/Mackenzie Sherman, Lauren Binnion/Jolie Smith, Dani DeBotton/Abby Steinberg, Emily Sandler/Claudia Combert were victorious at doubles.

Merion Mercy Academy defeated Upper Moreland, 5-0, in the first round of the District 1 AA team tournament Monday. All five matches were won in straight sets. Singles winners were Chloe Abramowitz (first), Nina Dzidic (second) and Madison Urbano (third).

The Golden Bears defeated Nazareth Academy, 5-0, Oct. 4, winning all of their matches in straight sets – Chloe Abramowitz, Nina Dzidic and Maddie Urbano in singles, and the duos of Maddie Ott/Zoe Brennan and Christina Croff/Francesca Scarpone in doubles.

Radnor defeated Methacton, 5-0, Tuesday in the first round of the PIAA District 1 tourament, winning all matches in straight sets. Singles winners were Kanon Ciarrocchi (first singles), Lucy Hederick (second) and Bridget Dougherty (third).

Shipley defeated George School, 5-0, Tuesday. Tori Allen earned a dominating win at first singles, Phoebe Fry lost only one game at second singles, and Lilia Becker battled at third singles for a three-set win. First  doubles won in straight sets, with Audrey Fink’s aggressive play paying off.

The Gators defeated Abington Friends School, 4-1, Oct. 5, as the singles trio of Tori Allen, Phoebe Fry and Lilia Becker all won their matches in straight sets, as did the Shipley first doubles duo of Audrey Fink and Allison Mascio.

Girls’ volleyball

Academy of Notre Dame (7-1, 3-0) stretched its win streak to seven with an away 3-1 win over a strong Conestoga team on Dig Pink Night Oct. 5 by scores of 19-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-15. Riley Shaak and Lexi Shreiner combined for 38 kills while Ciara Gibbs and Grace Clark provided strong defensive support.

One day earlier, the Irish defeated Agnes Irwin, 3-0, posting scores of 25-20, 25-16, 25-18. Christine Covello and Emma Jardine dished out 26 assists including 12 kills to Lexi Shreiner. Maddie Donaphon controlled the back row with 15 digs.

Baldwin School defeated Penn Wood, 3-0, Oct. 5, posting scores of 25-13, 25-13, 25-9. Cartier Thomas fished out 31 assists to the Polar Bears attackers. Leading the Polar Bears was Makayla Pratt (11 kills), Anajah Brown (seven kills), Laura Pellicano (three kills, three aces), Georgia Dahm (seven aces, two kills), Hanna Maier (three kills, three assists), Taylor Trapp (four aces) and Cartier Thomas (seven aces).

Lower Merion defeated Springfield, 3-0, Monday with scores of 25-16, 25-14, 25-9. Talia Morris led the way with 13 kills and Sofia Taberski posted seven kills. Adi David led defensively with 11 digs and also dished out 13 assists.

Radnor defeated Interboro, 3-0, Oct. 5, posting three identical scores of 25-18, 25-18, 25-18.  Once again, the seniors led the way with Erica DiCarlo dishing out 20 assists that were cashed in by Izzy Criscuolo (seven kills, two blocks) and Grayce Henderson (four kills, six aces). Sammy Scannapieco led the defense with 10 digs. Radnor’s strong sophomore class chipped in with 13 kills of their own – four each from Mary Kate Colleran and Josie Darrach, three from Lucy Criscuolo and two from Pati Castro.

Two days earlier, Radnor came back from a 9-3 deficit in the fifth set to beat Springfield, 3-2, posting scores of 19-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 19-17. Senior middle Izzy Criscuolo had a career game with 21 kills, four blocks and two aces while senior outside Grayce Henderson tallied 15 kills (nine digs, two blocks). Senior setter Erica DiCarlo played an outstanding all-around game, dealing 48 assists to go along with eight aces, 16 digs and five kills. The defense was led by senior libero Sammy Scannapieco (27 digs) and junior Grace Remphrey with 18 digs. Radnor also got key contributions from sophomores, Lucy Criscuolo (eight kills, two digs), Mary Kate Colleran (four kills, three blocks), and Josie Darrach (three kills, five blocks).

Villa Maria defeated Villa Joseph Marie, 3-0, Tuesday, posting scores of 25-19, 25-14, 25-17. The Hurricanes were led by Olivia Karkenny and Alessia Giannandrea with seven kills each. Kelsey Hoff stood out with with 21 assists and Alivia Orvieto had six aces.

Cross country

Academy of Notre Dame defeated Germantown Academy (25-30) and Baldwin School (15-48) Tuesday. Notre Dame was led by Kyleigh Calvert (second place, 21:37), Cara Stevenson (third, 21:51) and Lindsey Smith (fourth, 21:52).

Friends’ Central (girls) defeated Abington Friends, 16-44, Tuesday. Rebecca Wusinich (19:09) was first, Micah Trusty (19:50) second and Lydia Russell (20:19) third.

Radnor (boys) defeated Strath Haven (17-42), Ridley (15-50) and Springfield (15-47) Tuesday. Doug Rosin and Ethan Zeh finished tied for first in 18:06. Frank Brown (third), Owen Leonard (fifth), Andrew Rosin (seventh), and Luke O’Malley (ninth) also placed in the top 10.

The Raider boys enjoyed a fine performance at the Delaware County Championships at Rose Tree Park Oct. 6. The varsity team finished third overall. Individually Ethan Zeh placed second, Doug Rosin was eighth, and Frank Brown finished 15th. In the boys novice race the Radnor squad placed first in the team standings, led by medlaists Jack Halberstad (second), Zach Rosenblum (third), Andrew Rosin (fourth) and Jimmy Kurtz (fifth). For the Radnor girls, Lucy Hederick and Bridget Dougherty were the top finishers in the girls varsity race.

The Radnor boys defeated both Harriton (24-32) and Marple Newtown (19-39) Oct. 3. Radnor’s Ethan Zeh was the overall winner in 18:25, and teammate. Doug Rosin was a close second in 18:26. Raider runners Frank Brown (fourth) and Owen Leonard (eighth) were also in the top 10 finishers. In the girls race, Radnor’s Abigail Idiculla was third overall, and teammate Noel Kuhn was 10th, as Radnor defeated Marple 22-39, and Harriton beat Radnor 19-44.

Shipley (girls) lost to Westtown, 17-41, Tuesday. Sonia Joseph and Alyssa Chandler finished fifth and sixth, respectively.

Water polo

Haverford School (16-2, 2-0) defeated Lawrenceville School, 21-10, Tuesday. Matej Sekulic (six goals, three assists, two steals, one drawn ejection) and David Gobora (five goals, one steal, two drawn ejections) led the scoring.

The Fords defeated Penn Charter, 15-9, Oct. 4. For the Fords, contributors included Jason Chen (seven saves), Koby Degenhardt (five saves, one steal), Bram Schork (four goals, one assist, two steals), Ryan LaRocca (four goals, three assists), Jake LaRocca (two goals, six assists, five steals, one drawn ejection), Matej Sekulic (two goals, one assist, one steal) and JR Leitz (two goals, two assists, two steals, one drawn ejection).

Malvern Prep lost to Germantown Academy, 12-6, Tuesday. Jake Caulfield had 17 saves, an assist and two steals. Jack Cassidy led the Friars with three goals and four assists.  Brennan Robinson had a pair of goals and five steals and Ryan Cochran rounded out the scoring for Malvern with a goal, an assist and three steals. 

The Friars lost to Episcopal Academy, 12-9, Oct. 4. The Friars’ Jake Caulfield was stellar in goal making 22 saves on 34 shots. Malvern Prep had chances but was only 1-for-8 in extra man situations while Episcopal was 4-for-8. Brennan Robinson led Malvern in scoring with three goals and two assists. Jack Cassidy (three assists) and Ryan Cochran each had a pair of goals, while Owen Preston and Chris Krein also netted goals for the Friars.

Crew

Shipley had several fine performances at the Head of the Christina in Wilmington, Del. Oct. 7. The girls’ varsity quad, comprised of Casey Winter, Talia Chairman, Lucia Helmers and Malenne Kelly brought home the gold medal.  The girls JV quad, comprised of Ginger Tan, Yiwei Chen, Abby Stambaugh and Jordan Winter earned a bronze medal.  On the boys’ side, the lightweight four with Ben MacDonald, Zach Abood-Bieber, Mike Hamilton, Matt Sherman and Ailbhe Birkett raced in the varsity four event, and managed a fourth-place finish

It was an all-Academy Park duel for the Del Val League girls tennis doubles championship Wednesday.

Top pair Camille Erskine and Raja Azor defeated teammates Aasiyah Bey and Taylor Smith 6-0, 6-0 to win the title. The two pairings were seeded Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the tournament.

The four Knights will represent the Del Val in next week’s District 1 doubles tournament at Legacy in Philadelphia.

In the consolation match, Deseree Naugle and Faith Samor of Chichester downed Penn Wood’s Fatoumata Diarra and Asia Brown-Bowen in three sets, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

In the Inter-Ac League:

Episcopal Academy 5, Penn Charter 2 >> The Churchwomen overcame losses in two of the three singles matches by sweeping the doubles slate. Cara Hart and Eliza Aldridge won the No. 1 match, 6-2, 6-3, while No. 2 Grace Hennigan and Natalie Johnston cruised 6-0, 6-0. Ella Walker notched a 6-2, 6-0 victory in the second singles match for the Churchwomen (11-0, 5-0 Inter-Ac), who face Baldwin next Monday afternoon for the league title.

In the Central League:

Marple Newtown 7, Upper Darby 0 >> Eva Fay, Grace Thorne and Lindsay Thompson were winners in singles play as the Tigers blanked the Royals. UD’s Adrienna Loc and Hannah Hannah Asaka battled at No. 1 doubles, but fell to Marple’s Hannah Fay and Taylor Brekus, 6-4, 6-3.

In the Ches-Mont League:

Avon Grove 5, Sun Valley 2 >> Devin Cronin and Maddy Koons were victorious in singles play for the Vanguards.

The fourth doubles pairing of Amanda Neubauer and Kaitlin Lynch played a grueling first set but eventually dropped a 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 match. At third doubles, Jaimee Higgins and Pauka Sy started fast, claiming a 6-0 win in the first set, but lost the next two 6-3, 6-0.

In the Tri-County League:

Barrack Hebrew 5, Woodlynde School 0 >> Barrack’s singles player Hannah Parish outlasted her opponent in a 90-minute marathon, winning 6-4, 6-2. Barrack also got singles wins by Dori Hoffman-Filler and Ellie Sherwood.

With the benefit of four championships worth of experience, Cardinal O’Hara knew what was in store Thursday morning at Legacy Youth Tennis. When the Lions and Lansdale Catholic split the singles and doubles matches, with third singles about to decide a Catholic League crown, the Lions had the edge in experience.

And Mary Clare Hayden made it stand up on the court.

Hayden downed LC’s Lindsey Echelmeier at third singles to lead O’Hara to a 3-2 win and claim the Catholic League championship.

The Lions got off to a fast start, with Anna Marie Degnan cruising at first singles, 6-0, 6-1, and Caroline Lynch handily taking care of the win at second singles, 6-4, 6-4. But LC claimed both doubles points in straight sets, setting up the winner-take-all showdown in third singles.

Hayden didn’t blink in the first-set tiebreak, prevailing 7-6 (3), then glided to a 6-1 win in the second set.

HERSHEY >> Of the eight remaining players at the District 3 girls’ tennis tournament, three hail from Berks County.

Conrad Weiser’s Alex Pancu — the two-time defending county champion, as a sophomore — reached the Class AAA singles semifinals with a pair of convincing victories in Friday’s opening D-3 session at Hershey Racquet Club.

A pair of Wyomissing Spartans, seniors Vittoria D’Addesi and Alex Jadic, made it through to Saturday’s final two rounds in the AA ranks, to join Pancu. Wyo narrowly missed having a third player, MacKenzie Reese, join them.

Not a bad day on the courts.

Pancu, this year’s second seed, lost in the quarterfinals a year ago as a freshman coming off her first Berks League title. A 6-1, 6-2 conquest of Manheim Central’s Hannah Kowalski on Friday in the same spot paved over that pothole. She was a picture of confidence all afternoon at HRC; the day started brightly with a swift 6-0, 6-0 whitewash of Carlisle’s Meg Ulrich in the opening round of 16.

“I thought I played pretty well. (Kowalski) was really good at getting balls back, which was frustrating because it gave me more opportunities to mess up,” Pancu said, “because I’m more of an aggressive player.

“Hopefully I can win right away (Saturday), so I can qualify for states.”

Pancu will draw Lampeter-Strasburg’s Sarah Capoferri in one AAA semifinal; Hempfield senior Amanda Hagino, the defending champion, plays Kali Aughenbaugh of Cedar Cliff in the other.

Governor Mifflin’s Olivia Richards also qualified for districts in AAA, but her push ended with an opening round 6-3, 6-0 loss to Kowalski. Exeter’s Naha Adda, the second alternate, took the court when Manheim Township’s Avery Palandjian withdrew from the field, but her day ended with a 6-1, 6-4 loss to Dallastown’s Meghan Salaga in the first round.

The formidable Wyo Spartans had their prints all over the AA bracket. D’Addesi — who lost the county final to Pancu on Oct. 3 — earned top billing and played like it with a pair of straight-set victories.

D’Addesi opened with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Lancaster Country Day’s Cassidy Gleiberman before dispatching East Pennsboro’s Madison Poladian 6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals.

D’Addesi, a senior now making her first appearance in a district semifinal, went to work after the county finals loss to Pancu with Wyo head coach Mike Gyomber. It showed Friday at HRC.

“We worked a lot on consistency in the ground strokes,” D’Addesi said. “In my match with Alex, I realized that I wasn’t keeping the ball deep enough and I would make unforced errors. And I worked on getting prepared earlier (recognition and swing load) and being able to take the ball with more time.

“I want to do as well as I can because I’m never going to have this opportunity again.”

D’Addesi will play Delone Catholic’s Ellie Neudecker in her Saturday semifinal.

Jadic, a fellow Wyo senior and 2016 D-3 champion, who was seeded second in the AA bracket, returned to scholastic tennis this season after taking last year off to play USTAs. She rolled in her two matches, dropping just one game along the way: A 6-0, 6-1 win over Brianna Miller of Kennard-Dale was followed by a 6-0, 6-0 conquest of Lancaster Country Day’s Kendall Kubis in the quarters.

“My serves were really on point today, and that’s something I’ve been struggling with,” Jadic said. “I credit that to Hershey because I have pretty good memories here. … I feel good and I’m happy to be back.”

Jadic drew East Penn’s Ava Lewis in her semifinal.

Reese, Wyo’s third senior in the field, nearly made it through to Saturday to join her Spartan teammates but was upended by Neudecker 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals. She opened her session with a 7-5, 6-3 win over league compatriot Erin Maloney of Berks Catholic in the round of 16.

Methacton will be represented in the Pioneer Athletic Conference Doubles Tournament championship Saturday.

What two Warriors is yet to be determined, though.

Methacton advanced two teams – top-seeded Dina Nouaime and Tina Prince, and No. 4 seed Anna Ryu and Angie Kuang – into the semifinals Friday during the first day of the league doubles tournament. They will meet in Saturday morning’s semifinal while Owen J. Roberts’ Elaina Lee and Jacey Caplan and Spring-Ford’s Tori Alexander and Kathryn Alvarez will meet in the other semi.

Nouaime, the PAC singles champion, and Prince, who reached the second round of the District 1 singles tournament, defeated OJR’s Vidisha Pandey and Cara Semach, 6-1, 6-3, in a quarterfinal. Ryu and Kuang topped Spring-Ford’s No. 2 team Lucy Olsen and Emma Griffin, 6-2, 6-4. Lee and Caplan downed Phoenixville’s Gina Brown and Meghan O’Neill, 6-2, 6-3. Alexander and Alvarez, who were the top seeds last year but forced to retire in the first round due to an injury, didn’t drop a game in their quarterfinal.

Saturday’s semifinals begin at 10 a.m. back at Perkiomen Valley.

Abington Friends 3, Perkiomen School 2 >> The Panthers took first and second singles but AFS’ depth won the day. Julia Kelly won 6-0, 6-2 at No. 1 and Charlotte Kopp won 7-6 (2), 6-0 at No. 2 singles for Perkiomen.

HERSHEY >> “There’s something about Hershey.”

Alex Jadic’s words. She can’t explain it, but she’s onto something.

Jadic, the Wyomissing senior and the No. 2 seed in the bracket, won her second District 3 Class AA singles title in three seasons Saturday evening at Hershey Racquet Club when she defeated Delone Catholic’s Ellie Neudecker 6-1, 6-0 in the championship final.

Jadic pulled it off despite spending the season at Wyo’s No. 2 slot behind fellow senior Vittoria D’Addesi — and a year after not competing in scholastic tennis at all in order to focus on USTA tournaments. She won her first D-3 title as a sophomore the season prior to that, in 2016.

“Honestly, this feels awesome because I never truly expected to get back to this point,” Jadic said. “I didn’t train nearly as much as I did sophomore year. I hardly touched my racquet this summer; I was focusing on my studies. I wasn’t sure I was even going to play until three days before school started.

“Tennis has always come second to academics for me. But it was my senior year and I decided it would be a real shame not to at least try again.” Jadic plans to study abroad in Scotland in pursuit of a medical degree after graduation from Wyomissing.

Something changes for Jadic when the postseason high school tennis calendar arrives in Hershey, which doubles as the site for the PIAA tournament. She admitted to being a deserved No. 2 on the Spartan squad behind D’Addesi this fall, who had rebuffed squad ladder challenges during the season.

But any difficulties in her game — Jadic repeatedly mentioned her serve as being problematic during the regular season — seem to evaporate when she arrives at HRC. Saturday’s final two rounds supplied ample evidence.

She defeated Ava Lewis of East Pennsboro 6-2, 6-3 in Saturday’s semifinal to clinch a spot in the tile match and a states berth, then took Neudecker with relative ease, despite many of those points during the final of the being long baseline rally variety.

“I did not play this well during the season, no doubt,” Jadic said. “I played (D’Addesi) in challenge matches during the season and she beat me in three sets. Eventually, I said that’s fine, I’ll stay at No. 2 and concentrate on winning my matches. I swear, Hershey has something it. There’s something about it. My serve came back; I hadn’t done that in ages. It came back and clicked. It makes me so happy to be back here, I’m not gonna lie. I only have positive experiences here.”

D’Adessi came into the D-3 tournament as the top seed in AA, but her Saturday session was not as joyous. She lost a 6-3, 6-3 verdict to Neudecker, which denied her a spot in the title match and a chance at an all-Wyo final, then suffered heartbreak in the third-place match with a PIAA berth on line.

Down a set but leading 6-2 in a second-set tiebreak, D’Addesi dropped the final six points and the match to Lewis by a 6-2, 7-6(6) count.

Conrad Weiser sophomore Alex Pancu was the second Berks County player to reach a D-3 final Saturday when a 6-3, 6-3 semifinal win over Lampeter-Strasburg’s Sarah Capoferri launched her to the AAA title match opposite Hempfield senior Amanda Hagino, the defending champion.

Hagino denied Pancu by a 6-0, 6-1 score, defending her crown. Despite the loss, Pancu was upbeat about having clinched a states berth by virtue of reaching the final.

“I wished I could have gotten to some of the balls better, but I knew what I was getting into,” Pancu said in reference to the finals match against Hagino. “She had very powerful and very well-placed shots, so that was challenging to go up against.”

Getting two steps further than she did a year ago as a freshman helped reveal a road map of sorts of how to get to the top.

“I see a lot of the girls and how they play and I think I understand most of it, so I think I’ll do well against it next year,” Pancu said.  “I think next year will go better.”