Radnor’s Ciarrocchi, Hederick was a powerful tennis pair this fall
RADNOR >> The Radnor High School girls’ tennis team had one of the best doubles teams in the state this fall in senior co-captains Kanon Ciarrocchi and Lucy Hederick.
The Radnor duo captured the Central League doubles tournament, the PIAA District 1 doubles tournament, and advanced to the championship final of the PIAA Class AAA state doubles tournament, losing a three-set match.
Ciarrocchi has played first singles for the Raiders and been team MVP each of the past three years, and has won more than 100 matches in her four- year varsity career. Last year, she was the Central League singles champion, and this fall she posted a record of 30-3, earning first team All-Central League singles honors. One of her most satisfying singles wins this fall was a victory against Conestoga standout Ananya Krishnan that enabled Radnor to edge the Pioneers 4-3.
Ciarrocchi paired with Hederick to win the PIAA District 1 3A doubles championship final against Conestoga’s Olivia Dodge and Leena Kwak, 6-2, 7-5.
“Our win in the finals was especially memorable because we were playing our friends Olivia and Leena, who we also played in the Central League final,” said Ciarrocchi.
Her Radnor partner, Hederick, has won more than 100 matches for the Raiders in her four-year varsity career, had a record of 31-5 this fall, and was a second team All-Central League selection for singles.
Hederick, who advanced to the state quarterfinals of the PIAA state doubles tournament last year, teamed with Ciarrocchi in the district doubles semifinal to overcome a 6-4 loss in the first set to Pennsbury’s Megan Walsh and Kyra Workman to prevail, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.
“My most vivid memory of district doubles was when Kanon and I were down 4-5 in the second set in the semifinal against Pennsbury and we were able to channel our frustration in order to win the match and go on to the finals,” said Hederick. “I think my best match in doubles was in the district finals for a similar reason – I was consistent from the baseline and aggressive at the net and was even able to serve out the match.”
In the first round of the state doubles tournament, the Radnor duo faced the Shady Side Academy pair of senior Elle Santora and junior Renee Long. Santora was part of the doubles pair that defeated Ciarrocchi and Hederick in the state doubles tourney last year. This time, the Radnor pair prevailed, 6-4, 6-4.
Ciarrocchi said, “We knew we were going to have a tough match. We played our hardest and I was so proud of us when we managed to get the win.”
In the state finals against the Peters Township pair of Kat Wang and Marra Bruce, Ciarrocchi and Hederick won the second set, but lost in three sets, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6.
Hederick said, “The moment when the finals ended was such a bittersweet moment because I was sad that we had lost and our season was officially over, but proud of how far we had come and how successful we had been.”
The Radnor duo play well off each other’s strengths.
“I think Lucy’s net play is naturally better than mine, and I think my baseline game is very strong,” said Ciarocchi. “We usually rely on my service games a lot because I can keep the rally going, while she waits for the opportunity to finish the point with a volley which I think worked very well.”
“I think Kanon has a great serve and is very strong from the baseline and can out-rally almost everyone, which often enables me to take over at the net by poaching,” said Hederick. “From a mental standpoint, she does a good job of helping calm me down when I’m frustrated whereas I can help us get fired up when we’re down.”
Both girls’ favorite tennis player is Roger Federer, whom they try to pattern their games after.
“In addition to his physical ability, he is very strong mentally, and I try to mimic this on the court by not getting too down on myself,” said Ciarrocchi.
“He is so poised on the court and never stops fighting,” said Hederick. “His style of play is also very effective and amazing to watch. I definitely try to pattern my game after Federer’s, especially my mentality and attitude since I really admire his ability to keep a level head under enormous amounts of pressure.”
While neither girl has selected a college yet, Ciarrocchi would like to major in international business, and said, “In the future I’d love to travel around the world for my job.”
Hederick, whose favorite subject at Radnor is biology, is considering a medical career, but is undecided as to a college major as of now.
Asked who was her top tennis mentor, Ciarrocchi responded, “My top tennis mentors have been my coach and my parents. My coach has helped me with my training and mental mindset on the court while my parents have always been my top supporters.”
Hederick said, “My top tennis mentors have been my coach, Julia Cohen, and my mom. Julia helped me become a more consistent player and taught me how to better manage my nerves and frustration on the court. My mom was the one who signed me up for tennis lessons and eventually clinics in the first place and always motivated me to keep pushing myself on and off the court.”
Radnor girls’ tennis head coach Pat Kurz said, “Kanon and Lucy are two outstanding young women, who have contributed so much to the team’s success over the last four years, and I believe will contribute much to whatever they do with the rest of their lives. As their coach I will miss them very much.”
