The Girls Varsity Tennis team has one more Mountain League game to play against Central. If the Lady Eagles win, then they will be the Mountain League Champions. If the girls lose to Central, then just like last year, the girls will be Co-Mountain League Champions.

“It would be a great breakthrough for our team [to win the Mountain League] since we tied with [Central] last year. Our team has been working so hard over the summer to improve for this season and it is really showing with our record so far,” said junior player Winnie Grot.

The girls record so far is 6-1, with their only loss being to Altoona, a AAA team who the Eagles have not played against for a couple years (see Altoona results below).

“I hope that we have a good season and beat Central. It would be a great step into the future for the girls tennis team [if we won the Mountain League]. Also, it would be a great ending for the season for the seniors,” said senior newcomer Heather Osterhout.

The Eagles have beat the other two Mountain League teams twice and Central once. This Tuesday’s match is Senior Night and the final Central game.

“[Winning the Mountain League] would be a great success well earned! Our hard work, motivation, and great teamwork will have paid off,” said freshman Rachel Stricek.

Girls tennis only lost three seniors last year, but two played in the top five. With eight newcomers, six of them being freshman, out of the 17 membered team, all of the girl have stepped up in a huge way this season.

“[My favorite part of tennis] is practicing with the girls because they are all really funny and supportive of one another. I’m really excited for next season [already],” said freshman Ashlee Walk.

The girls still have six matches left to play: Punxsutawney, Central, Central Mountain, Windber twice, and Grier.

“We are [an] extremely strong team and give 100% all the time,” junior Olivia Reese said.

As with any team, the six senior girls leaving after this season will be greatly missed, but not as much as they will miss the team.  

“Everything is my favorite part: competing, van rides, and all of the girls on the team. We support each other through our wins and losses. We will always be a team,” said senior player Ava McCracken. “I’ll miss the amazing people, but I’ll miss the playing most of all.”

BOX SCORE

Tyrone vs. Altoona, Wednesday, Sep. 19th. 

Singles:

#1) Alese Rinker (A) def. Winnie Grot (T) 7-6(7-5), 6-3.

#2) Eve Hogan (A) def. Ava McCracken (T) 6-0, 6-1.

#3) Zoe Wilson (A) def. Megan Tepsic (T) 6-2, 6-4.

#4) Isabella Frank (A) def. Emilee Walk (T) 6-1, 6-3.

#5) Emily Neil (A) def. Lindsey Walk (T) 6-0, 6-2.

Doubles:

#1) Alicia Endress, and Rachel Stricek (T) def. Avery Burchfield, and Olivia Chille (A) 8-2.

#2) Victoria Reese, and Lydia Irvin (T) def. Olivia Waksmonski, and Elaina Waksmonski (A) 9-7.