Freedom's number one singles player, Flannery Johnston, shared third place honors with East Stroudsburg South's Kaitlyn Poje after the District XI Singles Tennis Tournament last week at West End Racquet Club in Allentown.

Unlike in years past, a consolation match was not played for third place.

"I'm happy I made it as far as last year," Johnston said.

Johnston had lost to eventual winner, Brittany Poje of East Stroudsburg South, in the semifinal 0-6, 3-6, but the Patriot junior was realistic about the outcome.

"She won last year, and this year, I was more relaxed. It wasn't as stressful," said Johnston.

Johnston's biggest challenge actually came in the quarterfinal against Stroudsburg's Yasmine Hasan.

"She hits every ball hard, and she takes chances. Our number two girl [Kayleigh DiNoto] had to play her. I was watching her and getting scared," Johnston said.

Johnston won the match 6-3, 6-3.

"I felt a lot of relief. My serve was helping me a lot, and I was hitting them harder than usual," she said.

Johnston had also defeated William Allen's Jelena Bajic 6-2, 6-2.

"Every match I play against her takes awhile because she hits everything back. I was glad it was the last time I would play her, and I wanted to make sure I won. There's a lot more pressure during districts because one loss and you're out," Johnston said.

Johnston's first match of the district tournament resulted in a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Easton's Cynthia Blay.

"That wasn't bad," said Johnston.

Maintaining her composure was the key to Johnston's success in the tournament.

"I stayed calm the whole tournament because getting mad works against me," she said.

Liberty and Bethlehem Catholic's number one singles players, Samantha Peterson and Taylor Treadwell, reached the quarterfinal rounds of the district tournament.

Peterson defeated Northampton's Leah Hodge, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), and Pleasant Valley's Emily Thek 4-6, 6-3, 10-6, before losing to East Stroudsburg South's Kaitlyn Poje 3-6, 1-6.

Treadwell defeated Palisades's Emma Spies 6-3, 6-1, and Pen Argyl's Devin Presby 6-1, 7-6 (7-1), before losing to Blue Mountain's Audrey Abel 0-6, 1-6.