Over the past two months, Harriton girls’ tennis has dominated the competition, losing only one match in their regular season.

They started off strong, easily sweeping Marple Newtown 7-0.

The Rams were then faced with its toughest opponent and district rival, Conestoga.  The girls fought hard, with Connie Richards and Nina Hoog (at second and third singles, respectively) as well as Izzy Lushbough and Erika Lutz at fourth doubles defeating their opponents to give Harriton three wins.  However, the team was ultimately dealt a disappointing overall loss, 3-4.

Using this difficult defeat as motivation for the next week, Harriton beat Radnor in a clutch 4-3 victory, guaranteeing the team a place in the district playoffs.

Other highlights included three consecutive 7-0 wins against Haverford, Upper Darby, and Strath Haven.  Shaina Ginsberg, Lauren Binnion, and Sonia Groeneveld had the opportunity to play first, second, and third singles, respectively, against Haverford and Upper Darby.

Sophia Sassoli, Connie Richards, and Nina Hoog resumed their places in the lineup at first, second, and third singles respectively against Strath Haven to help win the twenty-one match sweep.  The Rams also swept Springfield 7-0 on their Senior Day, with seniors Sonia Groeneveld and Caroline Bluestein playing second and third singles, respectively.

Going into the post-season, the Varsity lineup was established with Sophia Sassoli at first singles, Connie Richards at second singles, Nina Hoog at third singles, Sofia Kandoussi and Lauren Binnion at first doubles, and Sonia Groeneveld and Shaina Ginsberg at second doubles.

In the first round of districts, the girls defeated Abington easily, 5-0.  Monday morning, the 24th, the team defeated Downingtown West, 4-1, clinching their place in the PIAA 3A state competition.  On that same day, the team faced Radnor in the semifinals of the district playoffs, beating them again, 3-1.

The next day, the Harriton girls were overjoyed when they won the PIAA District One championship match over two time reigning champions, West Chester Henderson.  This was the first District One championship the Rams had won since Harriton moved up to the higher-level 3A division.

Roshni Parikh filled in at first doubles for Sofia Kandoussi, who was sick.  While the doubles teams fought hard, they were outplayed by Henderson’s skilled pairs.  However, the singles players came through, with Nina Hoog winning at third singles, Connie Richards winning at second singles, and Sophia Sassoli finishing the job at first singles.

This district championship gave Harriton the first seed entering the PIAA 3A state championship.

The girls won their first round of states 3-0 against Exeter, with the doubles teams and third singles clinching the win.

The team goes to Hershey on Friday for the quarterfinal round of states, and will hopefully stay until Saturday to compete in the semifinals and finals for the state championship.