Welcome, tennis fans.
The Lackawanna League is into another week and the countdown is officially on toward the yearly collision between Abington Heights and Scranton Prep. Yes, there have been some wonderful, and fresh, story lines in the 2019 season, but the league championship comes down to this clash which is scheduled for Monday at Abington Heights.
Heading into Thursday, both Abington Heights and Scranton Prep are undefeated. They have the strongest singles lineups in the league and both teams have such depth that their doubles teams are comprised of singles players who would likely start for most teams in the league.
HERE ARE THE PROJECTED SINGLES MATCHUPS:
ABINGTON HEIGHTS |
Career League Record |
SCRANTON PREP |
Career League Record |
BELLA PETERS |
19–0 |
CAMILLA RINALDI |
15–0 |
CLARE DELLA VALLE |
19–3 |
MEGAN McDONALD |
15–4 |
LAUREN KOCZWARA |
30–0 |
CARLY HABEEB |
32–1 |
FLASHBACK
September 10, 2018
Lady Comets outlast Classics
CLARKS SUMMIT — Tension heightened in the crowded observation deck at Birchwood Tennis & Fitness Center.
Abington Heights and Scranton Prep players battled on the courts below, insulated from the occasional eruption of applause.
Abington Heights’ Lauren Koczwara traded shots with Scranton Prep’s Carly Habeeb as each tried to survive long rallies.
On the court next to them, the Lady Comets’ doubles team of Sidney Horvath and Isabel Holland were matching Scranton Prep’s Claire Kelly and Stephanie Carolan.
Back and forth they went as teammates, family and friends patiently waited for the players to flip the score placards at the breaks.
Then, a two-hour marathon match that moved indoors because of heavy rain ended in seconds.
After Koczwara scored a winner to claim her three-set singles match to even the overall score, Horvath-Holland earned the final point in the No. 2 doubles match.
The fast finish unleashed a roar from the fans after an emotional comeback victory for Abington Heights, 3-2, on Monday in a showdown of the premier programs in the Lackawanna League.
Abington Heights (6-0) earned its first win in the series since 2014.
“It was so exciting in the end,” Koczwara said. “It was funny. Almost immediately after I finished, they won and we all just looked at each other and started screaming.
“We were so excited that we finally won against Scranton Prep.”
Scranton Prep (7-1), however, got out to a quick start.
Camilla Rinaldi won in straight sets, beating Brooke Dennison, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 3 singles.
“I knew that it was going to be a really tough match,” said Rinaldi, who improved to 7-0 this season. “I knew that I had to get a big win for our team and lock that point down. I needed to boost the morale of the team.
“I think I played a strong match. After the first set, I felt very confident in my game.”
Then, Abington Heights’ Bella Peters, who is ranked No. 18 among freshman by Tennis Recruiting Network, got her team rolling.
She showed off her powerful serve and forehand in a win over Megan McDonald, 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 singles that tied the match, 1-1.
“I was nervous at first, because I knew this would be one of the toughest matches of the season,” Peters said. “I kind of knew I had to play my game and maintain being cool, while focusing on my shots.”
Julia Horchos and Madison Tratthen teamed to defeat Keena Jackson and Holly Ross at No. 1 doubles, 7-5, 6-2, giving the Classics a 2-1 advantage.
Then, the focus shifted to the drama-filled matches still being contested.
Climbing to the No. 2 singles slot in the ladder because of an injury to Clare DellaValle, Koczwara played with poise in taking the first set, 7-5.
In the second, Koczwara appeared headed for a sweep when Habeeb, a returning All-Region player, fought back to 6-6 and won four of the first five points in the tiebreaker. She closed it out, 7-3, and knotted the match with a 7-6 win in the set.
After the break, Koczwara jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Then, Habeeb earned her first win in a game that featured an 18-stroke rally and then won three of the next four to close to within 5-4.
Koczwara responded, occasionally glancing to the audience above her, and remained undefeated in 19 career league matches to make it a 2-2 match.
“That felt so amazing,” Koczwara said. “I was very, very stressed. I didn’t know I was going to pull it off. I just had to keep my head in the match and watch my shots.”
Abington Heights’ Horvath-Holland won the first set, 6-4, before Scranton Prep’s Kelly-Carolan stormed to a 6-1 win in the second.
“I knew it was the third set and we needed it to win and there was a lot of pressure,” Horvath said. “I feel like we really buckled down and made the shots we needed to make.”
Scranton Prep’s pair won the first two games and led, 3-2, at a break. However, Abington Heights’ duo won four of the next five for a clinching 6-4 win.
“Me and Sidney like to joke around a lot, so we were really cheering for each other,” Holland said. “Every time I focused too much on the point, because I am a nervous person, I would mess up.
“Sidney just told me to relax and then it all happened for us.”
Abington Heights 3, Scranton Prep 2
Singles: Bella Peters (AH) over Megan McDonald, 6-1, 6-1; Lauren Koczwara (AH) over Carly Habeeb, 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-4; Camilla Rinaldi (SP) over Brooke Dennison, 6-1, 6-0.
Doubles: Julia Horchos-Madison Tratthen (SP) over Keena Jackson-Holly Ross, 7-5, 6-2; Sidney Horvath-Isabel Holland (AH) over Claire Kelly-Stephanie Carolan, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.
Records: AH 6-0, SP 7-1.
2019 LACKAWANNA LEAGUE SEASON
Of course, Abington Heights and Scranton Prep are receiving all of the attention heading into this week’s match. However, there are two other unbeaten teams that are sharing at least some of the spotlight.
Valley View is off to a 4-0 start under the guidance of the Jedi Master Jerry Pickard. He once again has the Cougars in the thick of the Lackawanna League chase and poised for another playoff berth.
Through the years, fans can always count on this program to be one of the best in the Lackawanna League. This, however, will be a tough couple of days for the Cougars.
VALLEY VIEW THIS WEEK
TODAY: Valley View (4-0) at Western Wayne (0-4)
THURSDAY: Valley View at Abington Heights
MONDAY: Valley View at Holy Cross
HERE IS VALLEY VIEW’S RECORD IN THE LAST 10 YEARS:
YEAR |
RECORD |
2019 |
4–0 |
2018 |
9–5 |
2017 |
8–6 |
2016 |
10–4 |
2015 |
12–3 |
2014 |
9–6 |
2013 |
13–2 |
2012 |
13–2 |
2011 |
10–2 |
2010 |
10–2 |
LADY INVADERS RISING
In addition to the Cougars, West Scranton, as noted last week is off to a fantastic start in coach Devinne Scott’s first season. The Lady Invaders are 5-0 with a huge match against Riverside coming up Thursday.
Remember, West Scranton had a total of 4 wins in the last three seasons, so this is an amazing turnaround. The schedule will get much more difficult with matches still ahead against Abington Heights, Scranton Prep, Valley View and Holy Cross, but with five wins, the Lady Invaders have already eclipsed their best win total since they finished 4-11 in 2014.
WEST SCRANTON THIS WEEK
THURSDAY: Riverside at West Scranton
MONDAY: West Scranton at Western Wayne
STANDINGS
(As of Sept. 4 posted on piaad2.org)
2019 SINGLES RECORDS
TIMES-TRIBUNE TOP 5 SINGLES
No. |
PLAYER |
SCHOOL |
RECORD |
|
1 |
Karissa Ghigiarelli |
Riverside |
3—0 |
|
2 |
Bella Peters |
Abington Heights |
5—0 |
|
3 |
Clare Della Valle |
Abington Heights |
5—0 |
|
4 |
Megan McDonald |
Scranton Prep |
5—0 |
|
5 |
Carly Habeeb |
Scranton Prep |
5–0 |
OTHERS TO WATCH: Camilla Rinaldi (Scranton Prep); Lauren Koczwara (Abington Heights); Rina Hanumali (Abington Heights); CJ Grasso (West Scranton); Faith Kendricks (Valley View); Caroline Cadden (Holy Cross).
TIMES-TRIBUNE TOP 5 TEAMS
No. |
SCHOOL |
RECORD |
|
1 |
Abington Heights Lady Comets |
5—0 |
|
2 |
Scranton Prep Classics |
5—0 |
|
3 |
Valley View Cougars |
4—0 |
|
4 |
Holy Cross Lady Crusaders |
4—2 |
|
5 |
West Scranton Lady Invaders |
5—0 |
2019 LACKAWANNA LEAGUE SCHEDULE
TODAY
Mid Valley at Riverside
3-Valley View at Western Wayne
THURSDAY
Dunmore at 4-Holy Cross
Montrose at 2-Scranton Prep
Riverside at 5-West Scranton
Wallenpaupack at Scranton
North Pocono at Delaware Valley
Western Wayne at Mid Valley
3-Valley View at 1-Abington Heights
MONDAY
Scranton at Montrose
Delaware Valley at Dunmore
Mid Valley at Honesdale
3-Valley View at 4-Holy Cross
2-Scranton Prep at 1-Abington Heights
5-West Scranton at Western Wayne
Wallenpaupack at North Pocono
Related posts:
Joby Fawcett has covered high school sports — including football, girls and boys volleyball, girls and boys tennis, girls and boys swimming, boys basketball, girls and boys track and field, and girls and boys lacrosse — for 22 years. The High School Sports Blog offers deeper insights plus statistical and historical information for fans and features photos, videos and graphics along with Top 5 polls for tennis and volleyball. Contact: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5367; @sportsTT