Harriton girls’ tennis team inches closer to Central League title

Lower Merion >> Kathi Rees is in her first year as the head coach of the Harriton girls’ tennis program, but she is no stranger to the team.

Having served as the Rams’ junior varsity head coach and assistant varsity coach last season, Rees took control early this season and has Harriton poised to make a run at a return trip to the PIAA Class AAA state finals.

On Oct. 1, the Rams took their first step when they earned a hard-fought 4-3 win over host Conestoga to earn at least a share of the Central League title with one league match remaining against Haverford Oct. 4.

Leading 3-0 thanks to wins by Sophia Sassoli at No. 1 singles; Saige Roshkoff at No. 2 singles and Lauren Binnion and Roshni Parikh at No. 2 doubles, the match was still in doubt as the final four matches all went to a deciding third set.

After the first doubles combination of Connie Richards and Mackenzie Sherman fell to Olivia Dodge and Leena Kwark, Harriton’s Nina Hoog began to take control of her match in the third and deciding set against Anaua Krishnan.

Holding a 3-1 lead, Hoog won three of the final four games to win the set 6-2 and give Harriton the match win.

“It was amazing,” said Hoog following her 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 win. “It means everything to clinch the fourth point to secure the win especially since the match was so close. I couldn’t have done it without the rest of my team who was cheering for me behind the fence.”

Binnion and Parikh put their team on the brink of victory, shaking off a slow start to post a straight set win.

“We saw our teammates next to us in a real battle, so we knew we had to focus,” said Parikh following the match. “Lauren and I were so happy we could hold it together and earn the much-needed point for our team.”

With high expectations for a seasoned team that had been to the state finals the past two consecutive seasons, Harriton Athletic Director Tom Ferguson knew he had to put the right person in place to take over former coach David Broida, who retired at the end of last season. Fortunately, Fergsuon did not have to look far as Rees agreed to take the helm.

“We were really excited when we found out she (Coach Rees) was going to be our coach,” said Parikh. “She has been a great support system for us and has help keep us focused. She was the perfect person to take over.”

Hoog echoed her teammates sentiments: “She is unbelievably organized and is always positive. She helps us through some tough times and always reminds us that we are there for each other as a team.”