Unionville, Henderson duos prevail at Ches-Mont Doubles Tournament

Westtown >> At the two Ches-Mont Girls Tennis Doubles Tournaments this weekend, the theme was repeat champions.
A pair of twins, Unionville juniors Emma and Allie Stanislawczyk, captured their second consecutive Ches-Mont American Division doubles title Saturday.
One day earlier, the West Chester Henderson duo of senior Kaitlyn Evans and junior Kiera Koay won the Ches-Mont National Division doubles championship, and while it was their first, it was the fourth consecutive year that a Henderson duo captured the Ches-Mont National doubles title. In addition, Evans won the Ches-Mont League National singles tourney title two weeks ago.
Saturday, the Stanislawczyk twins defeated Longhorn teammates Cathrine Stone and Sophie Zhang in the championship final, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, at West Chester Rustin High School. The twins advanced to the finals by winning their first three rounds in straight sets.
“After losing the first set in the finals, we realized we had to change strategy, continuously adapt,” said Allie. “We tried to come to the net, play to our strengths, and stay consistent.”
The Stanislawczyk twins are used to playing together. Not only do they hold down the first doubles position for Unionville (the top seed in the upcoming District 1 3A team tournament), but in prior seasons the twins teamed up to win three national junior paddle tennis titles.
“Our communication is a strength,” said Allie, with a laugh.
Emma said, “I think our styles complement each other – I like the baseline, hitting groundstrokes better, and Allie likes the net. So it’s a nice setup when I can hit good drives, deep, and then Allie can put it away at the net.”
In the final, the twins faced a tough challenge in the Longhorn duo of Stone and Zhang. Stone, a senior, plays second singles for Unionville and is a good all-around athlete who also plays softball for the Longhorns; while Zhang, a sophomore, plays second singles for the excellent Unionville squad.
Allie smiled and said, “It’s always very tense [to play teammates], but it’s also very special, because it’s friendly, we know each other’s games and it’s exciting to see all of the Unionville [players] out here for the tournament – it shows that we’re strong. Hopefully we’ll go far in the [state and district] team tournaments.”
Emma said, “Win or lose, when you play a player from your team you’re happy for them, and I think it makes it a lot of fun because you know their game and you know how they play, but at the same time they’re on the other side of the net, so you want to play competitive against them (laughs).”
The top three finishers at the Ches-Mont American Doubles Tournament qualify for the PIAA District 1 3A Doubles Tournament. In the third place match Saturday, the Kennett duo of seniors Anna Jiang and Lili Lusvardi defeated the Unionville pair of senior Jaclyn Santaguida and junior Milana Amoss, 6-4, 6-3. Jiang plays first singles for the Blue Demons this fall, while Lusvardi holds down the second singles spot.
“I think the key for us today was keeping a positive attitude,” said Lusvardi. “Anna is strong at the baseline, and helps to set me up.”
On Friday, Evans and Koay, the top seed in the National tourney, won a grueling three-set championship final, 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-1, against the Bishop Shanahan duo of sophomore Ella Matulewicz and freshman Renee Kinard, the No. 2 seed.
“I think the key to their victory was to keep on fighting and never give up – their belief in your own abilities is what helped them with those tough key points and games,” said Henderson head coach Peter Sok.
Shanahan head coach Jamie Breen said, “Ella and Renee ran into two seasoned players in the finals. The Henderson team [Evans and Koay] was so steady with minimal errors. That was the difference in the second set tiebreak that changed the momentum of the match.”
Sok also praised the Henderson duo’s work ethic: “Kaitlyn and Kiera both have spent countless hours in improving all aspects of their game. Their success is directly related to their willingness to dedicate themselves to improving on a daily basis.”
This marked the fourth consecutive year that a West Chester Henderson pair has won the Ches-Mont National Doubles Tournament title. The past two years, it was the Henderson duo of Ella Tunnell and Sophia Mong; in 2019, it was Tunnell and Lauren Knopp.
Sok said, “I believe that every great tennis player or team not only dreams of success, but plans for success. My hope is that our players will continue to work hard during the off-season to improve their skill sets to be competitive in all the matches that they play in.”
Matulewicz and Kinard, by finishing second in the Ches-Mont National Doubles tourney, have qualified for the District 1 3A doubles tournament. Two weeks ago, Matulewicz finished second to Evans in the Ches-Mont National singles tournament.
Breen lauded the powerful game of Matulewicz and Kinard: “Ella and Renee both have a power groundstroke game that fuels their success. The road ahead is exciting for both of them.”
Like the Ches-Mont American doubles tourney, the top three finishers in the Ches-Mont National doubles tournament qualify for the District 1 3A doubles tourney. In the third-place match, the Downingtown East pair of junior Danielle Litvan and sophomore Twisha Dudgundi defeated the West Chester Henderson duo of Amelia Jarden and Madelyn Walsh, 6-1, 6-4. During this season, Litvan has played first singles for the Cougars, while Dudgundi has played first doubles.
“Danielle has great court vision, and Twisha never gives up, has lots of fight,” said Downingtown East head coach Chris Waychunas.
Litvan, who was the 2020 Ches-Mont National singles champion as a freshman, said, “I thought playing doubles [in this tourney] was fun; you’re not alone on the court, you have someone to cheer you up when you’re down in a match.”

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