Lady ‘Cats Pick up 4-1 over Billtown to Remain Unbeaten
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – It was two days in the making, but the Central Mountain (8-0) girls’ tennis squad prevailed over visiting Williamsport (6-2) 4-1 in a highly competitive Heartland Conference meeting. The game scheduled for Wednesday had been suspended due to wet weather and resumed on Thursday for completion. The win also proves that the earlier victory over the Lady Millionaires wasn’t a fluke effort.
“This was arguably the biggest win in Central Mountain girls’ tennis history,” Lady Wildcats head coach Pete Wert said of the contest, “It was a fantastic team effort to knock off for a second time the perennial power house of the conference, Williamsport.”
The Key to this victory was the win at 1 singles by Jolee McCluskey reversing an earlier loss to the previously unbeaten and returning district runner-up Amanda Southward for the Lady Millionaires where McCluskey took the win 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.. Jolee used her power and precision to move Southard around the court to secure a huge victory for her and the team against a terrific opponent.
Central Mountain’s Quinn McCluskey came back from a slow start down a set and behind in the second set 3-0 to win a crucial match at 2 singles. Her experience proved to be the difference in a close match winning 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 over Williamsport’s Katie Meale.
Even in the Lady Wildcats only loss on the day, Katherine Strouse took Lady Millionaire, Alisha Chen to the wire 6-7, 7-6, 10-7
The Lady ‘Cats number 1 and 2 doubles team continued their roll this season by winning in three sets over a pair of tough Williamsport teams to remain undefeated on the season. CM’s Kendall McCluskey and Keli Kwiatek defeated Madison Heller and Megan Wike 6-1, 4-6, 6-0.
Sierra Merrill and Becky Piergallini picked up their 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 win over Williamsport’s Mia Shuler and Christine McFadden.
The win keeps Central Mountain on top of the PHAC division 1 and they now have a two game over Williamsport and Selinsgrove.
Next, Central Mountain will be off until Monday, Sept. 19, 2016 when they will host Danville.
Central Mountain 4 Willamsport 1
1 Jolee McCluskey CM def Amanda Southard 2-6 6-4 6-3
2 Quinn McCluskey CM def Katie Meale 2-6 7-5 6-4
3 Alisha Chen W def Katherine Strouse 6-7 7-6 10-7
1D Kendall McCluskey/Keli Kwiatek CM def Madison Heller/Megan Wike 6-1 4-6 6-0
2D Cierra Merrill/Becky Piergallini CM def Mia Shuler/Christine McFadden 7-6 6-7 6-4
