On Monday, the girls tennis team defeated Garnet Valley in the brisk autumn weather. With a match score of 4-1, the girls crushed their opponents to cruise to a first round district playoff win, and their first district win in the AAA category.
At first singles, Captain Hannah Drayton beat her Garnet Valley opponent in a decisive 6-0, 6-0 victory. Sophomore Rachel Benstock played similarly well at second singles with another 6-0, 6-0 win.
Sophomore Aryanna Pollack fell ill and Captain Samantha Krouse had to step up to the task of playing the third singles position. In her first singles match for the school, Sam put up a great fight against a talented singles player from Garnet Valley. Krouse lost a competitive first set 4-6, but kept her head up to win the next set 6-1. The girls played a tiebreak that would decide the match – first to ten points in lieu of the third set. Amid cheers and screams from both teams, the girls played skillfully, but Krouse lost 8-10. Despite this unfortunate loss, Sam’s efforts to support the team were extraordinary.
In doubles, the second doubles team of sophomores Gavriel Rubenstein and Becca Shapiro won their first district match 6-0, 6-3. At first doubles, Captain Renee Simms and junior, Jenny White, finished the first set quickly with a score of 6-0. However, during the second set, their opponents attempted a comeback. The set was full of intense points, long rallies, and amazing volleys from both sides. The girls fought tirelessly in the cold weather while holding the audience captive as their set score reached 6-6. The stands were full of cheers and screams that shattered the eardrums. With strategic plays and killer volleys, the first doubles team won the tiebreak, making their final score 6-0, 7-6 to close out the Garnet Valley match, adding another district win to the Harriton girls’ team record.
After the match, Coach Jack Ladden congratulated everyone, adding fist pumps as the players walked off the court, eager to wrap themselves in blankets. Gavriel Rubenstien commented on the screaming and cheering, “By tomorrow my voice is going to be gone and I’ll be deaf in one ear!” So don’t be surprised if any tennis players come in and can’t seem to hear very well. It’s just because they’ve been cheering for the team. Great job girls. Good luck at the second districts match that will take place on Thursday, October 11th. Go fight win RAMS!
