Quaker Valley girls tennis proud of runner-up finish after classic WPIAL final

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, October 27, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Quaker Valley reached the WPIAL Class 2A finals in girls tennis for the second year in a row.

The second-seeded Quakers were denied their quest to repeat as WPIAL titlists, however, falling to No. 1 North Catholic, 3-2, on Oct. 17 at Washington & Jefferson.

It was only the second loss of the season for the QV netters, who dropped to 14-2.

“I have to say this WPIAL team final was everything you would expect and hope for from arguably the two best teams in 2A,” QV coach Christi Hays said. “It was so compelling. It had high drama, huge momentum swings, high-level play and exemplary sportsmanship from both sides.

“I know it is cliche to say, but it is too bad either team had to lose. And I admit it took a couple of days to process our loss; we were so close. But my hat’s off to (North Catholic) coach Eric Solverson and his team, especially his No. 3 singles freshman Evelyn Marche.”

QV captured the No. 1 and No. 2 singles matches, as senior Kirsten Close (16-1) and freshman Avery Allan (19-0) continued their banner seasons with decisive victories.

Close rolled past NC sophomore Brea Kelley, 6-1, 6-1, and Allan defeated Trojan freshman Delaney Kelley, 6-1, 6-4.

“I think our team played great,” Close said, “and Christi helped us reach our maximum potential. I’m happy to be ending the season at states. North Catholic has a lot of heart, and I wish them success at states.”

Close and Allan are the reigning WPIAL Class 2A doubles champions; they will compete in the PIAA team and doubles tournaments.

“I am so proud of our team for placing second in the WPIAL,” Allan said. “I know everyone worked so hard to prepare and we should be so proud of ourselves and excited for states. North Catholic is the toughest opponent we’ve faced. They are a very deep team.”

Hays, a 2024 QV Sports Hall of Fame inductee, discussed the Quakers’ new “rivalry” with North Catholic.

“When we played North Catholic earlier in the season, we lost 3-2. North Catholic won both doubles and we won the top two singles,” Hays said. “The match came down to third singles between Jay Olawaiye and Evelyn Marche. North Catholic won the first set, but the second set went to a tiebreaker. Jay got up 5-2, but Evelyn won the next five points to take the tiebreaker, the set and the match.

“The team and I left that match feeling like we had a legitimate shot to reverse the result in a rematch if we got the chance. Fast forward to the (WPIAL) final. As we thought, Kirsten and Avery won the first two points for us. Our doubles teams played well — especially in the second sets — but lost. That set up the deciding match of third singles — just as we anticipated.”

At the WPIAL final, Olawaiye (11-2), who is a senior, jumped out to an early advantage against Marche before eventually dropping a 5-7, 7-5, 6-0 decision.

“What a rollercoaster ride. Momentum is a very fickle thing,” Hays said. “After being down 1-5 in the first set, Jay roared back to take the set 7-5. She built leads of 5-4 and 40-15 (in the second game). Evelyn was tenacious and clawed back to win that game and tie the set at 5-5. At that point, the match took a turn that none of us saw coming.

“Even though every point was long — many going over 30 strokes — and every game was close, North Catholic reeled off nine straight games to take the third set — and the championship. Even though I was disappointed, I have to say my strongest emotion was that I could not have been more proud of Jay for how she played, how she dealt with the pressure and how she handled the tough loss. And I’m also proud at how the whole team rallied around Jay to support her.”

Close believes Olawaiye has been a fabulous addition to the QV girls tennis program.

“Jay is an amazing track star,” Close said, “but every year, she still shows up for the tennis team and plays even though it’s not her main sport. She has been an amazing tennis captain and player at third singles. Without Jay, we would not have won districts or made it to the WPIAL finals and states.”

North Catholic seniors Kate Hardy and Jessica Sinclair defeated QV juniors Livia Jobbins and Jane Lenhard, 6-1, 7-5, at first doubles at the WPIAL team event. Sophomore Samantha Falcon and freshman Marcaria Stall beat QV’s Parker Barnes, a junior, and Hannah Stein, a sophomore, 6-1, 6-4.

QV breezed through the first three rounds of the tournament, blanking No. 15 South Park and No. 10 Indiana by 5-0 scores and topping No. 3 Hampton, 4-1, in the semifinal match.

“I was pleased and proud of our team’s performance through the whole team tournament,” Hays said. “We had decisive wins over South Park and Indiana and looked forward to our semifinal rematch with Hampton. We knew it would be a good tuneup for what we hoped would be a rematch with North Catholic.”

The top three finishers in each classification advanced to the PIAA team championships.

“As a team, we now have eyes forward, looking forward to seeing how deep we can go in the PIAA championships,” Hays said.

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