Harriton captures PIAA 3A state team tennis title
Hershey >> Minutes after Connie Richards and Mackenzie Sherman won their semi-final match at No. 1 doubles, which clinched a 3-0 win by Harriton over Unionville in the PIAA 3A team semifinals, the Rams had a mild celebration before turning their attention to a familiar foe who they would be facing in the PIAA Class AAA state finals.
Right before Harriton had earned its spot in the state final, Central League rival Conestoga had clinched its berth with a 3-1 upset of defending state champion North Allegheny.
Hearing the murmur of how difficult it is to beat a team three times, the Rams went out and put that adage to rest defeating Conestoga to win their second state title in three years.
“These girls played like a team all year and I was so happy to see them win a state title,” said Harriton coach Kathi Rees, who is in her first year as head coach after serving as an assistant coach last season. “Conestoga is a quality team and to beat a talented team three times in less than one month is very difficult.”
After Sophia Sassoli and Saige Roshkoff put the first two points on the board in the state final, the No. 2 doubles tandem of seniors Lauren Binnion and Roshni Parikh earned the third point needed to clinch the Rams’ 3-0 win and the state title with a 6-2, 6-1 victory.
“It meant so much to earn the clinching point because it solidified our state championship win,” said Binnion. “To be able to help the team fulfill our goal of going undefeated and winning States means a lot and is something I will never forget.”
Parikh added, “It is truly one of the best ways to end my high school career, if not the best experience, I have had throughout my time in high school. The fact that I was able to actually play this year with the other six girls and win the clinching match of the finals with Lauren [Binnion] is better than anything I could have ever asked for and is an experience I will be able to remember for the rest of my life. I am so happy I got to spend the last four seasons with this team and am so grateful I was able to learn with them and accomplish this together for the last time.”
The win caps off a magical season for a Harriton team that first took the court in August with the expectation of returning to the state finals after advancing last season before falling to North Allegheny.
With the bitter taste of last season’s state final fresh in their minds when they took the court in August under new leadership, the Rams came together quickly, with the seniors taking the reins and showing the way for the underclassmen.
Capturing the Cougar Classic at Downingtown West to open the season, the Rams handled the challenge each day and finished a magical season going 20-0, thanks in large part to the senior leadership.
“The seniors were an integral part of our success the past four years,” said Rees. “They showed tremendous leadership every day and brought this group together, which is not always easy in a sport that most people consider to be more of an individual sport.”
Binnion added, “I expressed to the underclassmen how important perseverance is and how we have to move on from our [state final] loss last year and learn from our mistakes. I also tried to convey how important it is to enjoy every match because you never know when it is the last.”
“The seniors have been my role models since I was in middle school,” said Sherman, who paired with senior Connie Richards at No.1 doubles. “I admire their work ethic, positive energy, and leadership skills. Coming in as a freshman with all the skilled players was intimidating at first, but with all the warm welcomes, I immediately felt part of the team. I will definitely miss the seniors, but they are my teammates and friends forever, and nothing will ever take that away. Although tennis is mainly an individual sport, we are truly a bonded team, and we will always be there for each other. The seniors laid a strong foundation for future Harriton girls tennis.”
