ALL-DELCO GIRLS TENNIS: Browning, Echevarria make Episcopal the Inter-Ac’s best

In addition to Daily Times Player of the Year Camille Smukler of Agnes Irwin, the rest of the 2015 All-Delco girls tennis team includes:
Nadiya Browning, Episcopal Academy >> A senior, Browning was 8-4 playing at first singles, helping the Churchwomen capture the Inter-Ac League title. … Browning avenged one of her losses by topping Daily Times Player of the Year Camille Smukler of Agnes Irwin, 6-1, 7-5, on EA-Agnes Irwin Day, helping the Churchwomen claim a 6-1 victory in that intense rivalry. “I’ve been playing Camille for five years and it’s the first time I beat her,” Browning said. … Finished third at first singles at the Inter-Ac Tournament after falling to Emma Sass of Baldwin in the semifinals. … Pulled out a 6-4, 4-6, 10-7 victory over Brinlea LeBarge in the Churchwomen’s tough, 4-3, victory over Penn Charter in the match that decided the Inter-Ac title. … “We had a strong team this year and wanted to go undefeated, but the rest of the league was so competitive,” said Browning, a repeat All-Delco selection. “Penn Charter was good this year, Notre Dame was strong and, of course, Agnes Irwin is always good.” … Was an All-Inter-Ac League selection. … Got to meet one of her tennis heroes recently when Serena Williams spoke in a special program at the University of Pennsylvania arranged by students promoting minority interests. … A Philadelphia resident, Browning is a product of Legacy Youth Tennis and Education where she works with Chris Hill. … Hopes to play tennis collegiately as she continues her academic pursuits.
Bella Echevarria, Episcopal Academy >> A senior, Echevarria was a versatile weapon on Whitaker Powell’s Inter-Ac League championship team, going 8-2 in doubles early in the season before going 5-0 in singles as the Churchwomen wrapped up an undefeated run through the league. … “I really wanted to play doubles early in the season because it really helps your singles,” said Echevarria. “It makes you attack better and improves your net game in singles. It turned out to be a good way to support the team.” … Reached the final at second singles at the Inter-Ac League Tournament, helping the Churchwomen grab the team title, before falling to Notre Dame’s Grace Leasure. … Also plays on the golf team at Episcopal and finished in a tie for fourth as a junior last spring at the Inter-Ac League Tournament, … Plans to study math and science in college, but is unsure if she’ll continue to play golf or tennis.
Grace Hederick, Radnor >> A junior, Hederick had a 13-4 record playing first singles for a Radnor team that qualified for the District One Class AAA Tournament before falling in the opening round to Unionville. … Moved into the Radnor School District last summer from the Atlanta area. “I wasn’t used to playing indoors for the tournaments, but there were a lot of good players and I had a lot of tough matches,” said Hederick, like many young players an admirer of Roger Federer’s game. “My forehand is definitely my strength. I like to try to put away points with the forehand or by coming to the net.” … Fell in the Central League Singles Tournament quarterfinals to eventual league champion Nina Hoog of Harriton. Defeated teammate Jessica Lin in the fifth-place match and dropped a tough, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 decision to Downingtown West’s Jordan Bradley in the opening round of the District One singles. … Teamed with Lin to finish third at the Central Doubles Tournament. They won two matches at the District One doubles before falling to eventual district champions Emma Clark and Amanda Baxter of West Chester Henderson. … Named to the All-Central singles second team.
Elene Tsokilauri, Delco Christian >> A senior, Tsokilauri won the PIAA Class AA singles title with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Lin Robertson of Berks Catholic in the final. She didn’t lose a set in four matches at the Hershey Racquet Club. … Was equally dominant in winning the District One singles title, claiming a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Nazareth Academy’s Alex Vo, the defending champion and a four-time finalist, in the final. … Undefeated season also included a Bicentennial singles title. … It was the first year Tsokilauri, a native of the Republic of Georgia, played high school tennis after spending her first three years of high school at tennis academies in Florida. … The left-hander uses a big serve to set up the points. “I like to serve and stay back, but if I see a chance to come in and end the point, I’ll move up,” Tsokilauri said. … Reached the No. 1 ranking in Middle States under-16 and has represented Middle States in events like the prestigious Orange Bowl Invitational in Miami and at events in Aruba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. … Competed in the USTA Girls’ Nationals in San Diego and in the USTA Girls’ National Clay Court Nationals last summer. … Her favorite player, as is the case with many young players, is Roger Federer. … Works on her game with Kamala Kannan at the Upper Main Line YMCA and Julia Cohen, an assistant coach at Saint Joseph’s and former top-100 WTA player. … Will continue her academic and tennis careers at Boston College.