What’s all that racket?  It’s the girls tennis team, of course!

They’ve done it again! The team has advanced to the WPIAL team finals for the second year in a row!

After defeating North Allegheny 5-0 in the finals last year, the Lady Hawks won the school’s first-ever WPIAL championship.

The Lady Hawks graduated some talented seniors last year, but have held onto an equally as talented squad.

Leading the Hawks are sophomores Cami Fisher (first singles) and Mackenzie Smock (second singles), senior Julia Gobbie (third singles), sophomore Cassie Sierka and junior Keira Ross (first doubles), and senior Amelia Lancet and Sara Walters (second doubles).

In their semifinal dual, which was delayed twice due to weather, with the No. 2 seed Shady Side Academy, the No. 3 seed Lady Hawks won three of their five matches.

Fisher defeated the WPIAL singles champion Meriwether McCargo 6-2, 6-4.

When asked how she prepared for the match despite the delays, Fisher said: I just tried to stay really calm and positive. Being delayed built up my nerves, but my support system (family, friends, and team) really helped me stay relaxed and realize that I have no pressure on me.”

Gobbie won in three matches, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

She agrees with Fisher. “I think just staying calm and trying not to stress about the match before I was even there. We also went to practice a couple times so that was helpful,” she said.

“I think an advantage I had over my opponent was I think I took offense more than she did,” Gobbie explained. “She tended to stay back at the baseline and play more consistent. I also think remaining calm during the match was key.”

The duo of Sierka and Ross won 6-0, 6-3 in their matchup.

About the victory, Sierka said, “We were being consistent and focused on just one point at a time waiting for them to make a mistake.”

With the victory, the Lady Hawks will face No. 1 seed Mt. Lebanon on Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Janet L. Swanson Tennis Center on the campus of Washington & Jefferson College beginning at noon.

Last year, Mt. Lebanon finished third in the WPIAL. Their weapons are juniors Jackie Tang and Michelle Yang who were this year’s doubles champs.  The Lady Blue Devils defeated the Lady Hawks earlier this season in a section contest.

When asked what the difference was in her match with McCargo this time as compared to the last time they met, Fisher said: “Last time we played, I think it was really built up in my head and I just played nervous and frustrated the whole match. Yesterday, I was able to play fully focused and positive and just really motivated to win.”

In looking forward to today’s contest, Gobbie said, “I remind myself that I am capable of winning the match and I need to bring all my effort and keep my motivation up the entire match.”

Fisher agrees: “I have just been trying to stay very confident and upbeat in my head and very motivational to my teammates.”