Tennis

It’s been picking up right where they left off for the Lady Devils this regular season. The 2019 squad started the season with a dominating 15-3 record, rolling through most of their schedule with the same ease as last year’s undefeated regular season. The singles lineup is led by Olivia Ratchford at first, Corinne Markovich at second, and Emma Ratchford at third. The doubles lineup is led by Sam Archangelo and Rachel Holtz in first doubles and a rotating tandem of Red Devils in second doubles.

The team enjoyed a successful start and continued into the toughest matches of the season against Westmont and Bedford, where they fell to the Hilltoppers but gained a big victory over the Bison. It hasn’t been easy, though: Olivia Ratchford, the number one singles player, hurt her knee while competing in a cross country meet earlier this fall and has been slightly hampered by it since. The injury isn't entirely serious and she hasn’t missed that much time.

Despite the regular season loss to Westmont, the Lady Devils successfully took on in the playoffs yet again and avenged last year’s loss in the District VI team championship. In a close, tension-filled match on October , the Lady Devils bested the Lady Hilltoppers by a match score of 3-2 to take home the 2019 District VI team championship.

“ The atmosphere was extremely competitive, it was clear both teams wanted the title so badly. being in that type of environment only made winning that much sweeter.” said senior Emma Ratchford.

Following the District VI Championship victory, the Lady Devils advanced to the PIAA State Tournament, matching up against Knoch High School in the first round on October 23 in Altoona. The day unfortunately didn’t go the Devils’ way, as Knoch took control of the match and ended the Devils’ season.

Though the team season ended with the loss to Knoch, two of the Lady Devils will advance in the upcoming PIAA State Doubles Tournament. The doubles team of Olivia and Emma Ratchford will take on the best doubles competition in the state and play in Hershey on Friday, November 1. “ The competition is going to be extremely tough for us considering we’re going to have to go up against really high level players. although it will be tough, with hard work and determination, hopefully we will be able to accomplish great things at the competition.”

The experience will be that much sweeter considering that Emma and Oliva are cousins and have been playing since they were young. “States is going to be a huge challenge but I am so excited to be able to take it on with my cousin. being able to play at such a high level with someone i am so close with means so much to me.”