Great Valley edges West Chester Henderson in marathon match

West Chester >> Three hours into the Great Valley-West Chester Henderson girls tennis match Wednesday, the contest was deadlocked 3-3, and players from both teams were crowded around the court to watch the deciding third set at 2nd singles.
With all eyes upon her in the razor-close second singles match, Patriot senior Jess Gionta prevailed in the third set, 7-6 (7-2) to give Great Valley a 4-3 win.
“I was really concentrating out there,” said a smiling Gionta, who said she was not aware until the contest was over that hers was the deciding match. “I worked on staying consistent today and having a good mental game.”
Gionta battled back after losing the first set 7-5 to capture the second set by a 6-4 score.
Great Valley coach Gerry McGrath said, “After the first set, Jess started working to her opponent’s forehand. Jess hits a hard ball, and if it’s a battle of forehands, she’s happy. Jess has a great fitness level, too.”

Gionta’s record at second singles improved to 5-1, and Great Valley’s record is now 6-1 – their only loss was to Unionville. West Chester Henderson, the defending Ches-Mont National champions, fell to 4-2, with their only other defeat being a 4-3 loss to Downingtown East.
Like the Patriots, West Chester Henderson provided some drama in Wednesday’s contest, making a dramatic comeback at third singles to tie the match at 3-3.
Henderson freshman Amelia Jarden lost her first set at third singles 6-3, then trailed 5-0 in the second set. With her back to the wall, Jarden rallied to take the second set, 7-5, then prevailed in the third set, 6-1.
“I tried to stay focused [in the second set],” said Jarden. “In your gut you might feel like giving up, but in your head you know you still have a chance to win.”
Henderson head coach Peter Sok said, “Amelia kept her composure – and when you don’t give up, good things will happen.”
At first singles, Great Valley junior Mabel Qiu prevailed, 6-3, 7-5, to improve her record to 4-1 at the top singles spot. As a sophomore, Qiu played first singles for the Patriots.

“Mabel is difficult to attack – she hits a good deep ball,” said McGrath. “She’s also a smart player – sees a lot of openings. She’s a good teammate – she’s quiet but has a great sense of humor.”
Great Valley prevailed at second doubles, with the junior duo of Esha Chokshi and Kaela Buzan winning 6-1, 6-4; and won fourth doubles, with the senior pair of Sophia Geibel and Lauren Fredrick earning a three-set victory, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.
“Our doubles teams won some tough matches today,” said McGrath. “Esha and Kaela really played with confidence.”
For West Chester Henderson, the first doubles team of senior Gillian Graham and junior Marie Logan won, 6-3, 6-4, and the sophomore pair of Madelyn Walsh and Leah Skomorucha prevailed at third doubles, 6-4, 6-1.
Coming into this fall season, the Warriors lost the 2021 Ches-Mont National doubles champion duo of Ella Tunnell and Sophia Ming to graduation last spring. Henderson also lost last year’s Ches-Mont National singles champion, Kylie Kochis, who moved to Florida.
“We lost our top three singles players from last year, Kylie, Ella and Sophia, and we lack experience right now,” said Sok. “Great Valley was a little bit more mentally tough than we were today. This is the second [4-3 loss] for us where it’s come down to the last match. We need to get [more] experience, and we need to continue to work hard.”

Great Valley 4, West Chester Henderson 3
Singles: 1. Mabel Qiu (GV) def. Katlyn Evans (WCH) 6-3, 7-5. 2. Jess Gionta (GV) def. Kiera Koay (WCH), 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (2). 3. Amelia Jarden (WCH) def. Stefania Calastri (GV) 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.
Doubles: 1. Gillian Graham/Marie Logan (WCH) def. Ellie Kwak/Grace Biebelheimer (GV), 6-3, 6-4. 2. Esha Chokshi/Kaela Buzan (GV) def. Abby Denney/Lauren Cottellesse (WCH), 6-1,6-4. 3. Madelyn Walsh/Leah Skomorucha (WCH) def. KK Mort/Courtney Cato (GV), 6-4, 6-1. 4. Sophie Geibel/Lauren Fredrick (GV) def. Sophia Brode/Salem Dvorak (WCH) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.