Wissahickon off to strong start with win over Lower Merion
LOWER GWYNEDD >> Leaders have emerged for Wissahickon, working in tandem.
“I really liked how my partner, Sam, and I — we pushed through emotionally and mentally,” said Trojan senior Sasha Iakimenko. “I was really proud of how we played — we played really well, especially in the first set. And emotionally we pulled through.”
Wissahickon’s doubles teams won all four of their matches, leading the way to a 6-1 opening-day win over Lower Merion on a sunny Wednesday morning at Wiss.
Iakimenko, recently elected co-captain, helps provide valuable leadership on a team filled with newcomers.
Said Iakimenko of taking on a bigger role this year: “It feels like there’s more responsibility and people believe in me and look up to me, and I find that really comforting. I really appreciate it.
“It’s my senior year so it’s really exciting, and we have a lot of new, good girls. I think we’re gonna have a good year.”
Sullivan and Iakimenko took the first set 6-1 and then powered their way to a 6-3 win to prevail in straight sets. Wiss’ doubles teams were in control, in fact taking every match in straight sets.
Rachel Flame and Julia Friedenberg did the same for the Trojans at No. 2 and No. 3 singles.
“I’m pleased because this is the first match, non-league against a formidable team, and everybody showed up and competed well,” Wiss coach Mary Ellen Devlin said. “In the first spot, (Jenny Landells) came back from a 2-5 deficit to go 5-7, against a seasoned senior (in Simone Burde), a No. 1 player all four years. So that’s pretty good.
“And the doubles teams, starting with Sasha and Sam at first, set a strong tone for serve and volley, with aggressive returns. Those are the key elements that are gonna come into play as the competition increases.”
The season gets going in a hurry for the Trojans, who open up Suburban One League American Conference play Thursday at home against Springfield Montco. They then travel to PW Tuesday before taking on rival Upper Dublin in a pivotal match at Wiss Sept. 1.
Wednesday provided a solid start.
“It’s a strong group of girls in as much as team — team first,” Devlin said. “And it was a good tone set by our doubles, which is nice. Because our singles are young experience-wise.”
Burde got the win at the No. 1 spot for the Aces, who usually give the Trojans quite a battle on opening day but are in the process of grooming some youngsters.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Aces coach Dave O’Connell said, “especially on the doubles end. But I thought my No. 2 and 3 singles would play a lot better. It’s a great group of kids. I tell them all the time that I wouldn’t trade them for any other team.
“We have a lot of work to do because we’re in a tough league (Central League). We have Harriton, Radnor and Conestoga to try to get above to even get in districts. And they’re all good teams. Too many unforced errors today, but it’s the first match.”
Wissahickon 6, Lower Merion 1
Singles: Simone Burde (LM) def. Jenny Landells 6-0, 7-5; Rachel Flame (W) def. Neve Brennan 6-0, 6-0; Julia Friedenberg (W) def. Christine Bermudez 6-0, 6-0.
Doubles: Samantha Sullivan-Sasha Iakimenko (W) def. Sarah Lipson-Haley Kursky 6-1, 6-3; Lauren Kang-Christie Yang (W) def. Holly Yu-Chloe Spercel 6-4, 6-1; Alycia Lee-Elizabeth Kooman (W) def. Kloe Rosenberg-Sarah Beller-Crossman 6-0, 6-1; Emily Richman-Morgan Solomon (W) def. Tiffany Wieh-Aasha Guper 6-3, 6-3.
