Keystone Oaks girls' tennis team battling for playoff spot
Halfway through the conference schedule, the Keystone Oaks girls tennis team is in a battle to return to the WPIAL Class AA Tournament for the second straight season.
The Golden Eagles are currently 4-3 in WPIAL Section 5-AA, the losses coming at the hands of Thomas Jefferson, South Park and Carlynton.
South Park has won the section the past three seasons and Thomas Jefferson’s only loss was a 3-2 loss to the Eagles Monday. So it’s likely the last playoff spot will from the section will come down to Keystone Oaks and the Cougars, who beat the Golden Eagles 3-2 Monday.
“We’re competing well,” KO coach Dave Bender said. “South Park and TJ are really strong teams. We’re trying to get into the playoffs. Hopefully we can win one of the matches against one of those two teams and get a win against Carlynton.”
The Golden Eagles are led by sophomore Maura Gray, who went 7-0 at No. 1 singles throughout the first round of section play. That record includes a win over South Park’s Chelsea Carter, the section champion from last season.
“She’s improved immensely since last season,” Bender said of Gray.
Two seniors, Emily Valley and Maura’s sister, Miranda Gray, play No. 2 and 3 singles, respectively.
Gina Nerone and Emily Herzog pair to play No. 1 doubles for Keystone Oaks. Nerone is actually No. 2 on the Golden Eagles’ ladder chart, but wanted to play doubles instead of singles.
Two sophomores, Amber Palmer and Mallory Stump, form the team’s No. 2 doubles tandem.
The Golden Eagles are currently 4-3 in WPIAL Section 5-AA, the losses coming at the hands of Thomas Jefferson, South Park and Carlynton.
South Park has won the section the past three seasons and Thomas Jefferson’s only loss was a 3-2 loss to the Eagles Monday. So it’s likely the last playoff spot will from the section will come down to Keystone Oaks and the Cougars, who beat the Golden Eagles 3-2 Monday.
“We’re competing well,” KO coach Dave Bender said. “South Park and TJ are really strong teams. We’re trying to get into the playoffs. Hopefully we can win one of the matches against one of those two teams and get a win against Carlynton.”
The Golden Eagles are led by sophomore Maura Gray, who went 7-0 at No. 1 singles throughout the first round of section play. That record includes a win over South Park’s Chelsea Carter, the section champion from last season.
“She’s improved immensely since last season,” Bender said of Gray.
Two seniors, Emily Valley and Maura’s sister, Miranda Gray, play No. 2 and 3 singles, respectively.
Gina Nerone and Emily Herzog pair to play No. 1 doubles for Keystone Oaks. Nerone is actually No. 2 on the Golden Eagles’ ladder chart, but wanted to play doubles instead of singles.
Two sophomores, Amber Palmer and Mallory Stump, form the team’s No. 2 doubles tandem.
tennis