Whitehall High School's number one singles player, Eiman Nazif, made it to the semifinal round of the District XI Girls Singles Tennis Tournament last week at Saucon Valley High School.

"I had no expectations. I was just going in for fun. I was in it last year, but I lost in the first round," Nazif said.

This year's first round match resulted in a 6-0, 6-1 victory for Nazif over Southern Lehigh's Naomi Li.

"I was kind of nervous about losing. I just wanted to get the ball in. There was less risk-taking. As I got into it, I definitely took more risks, but I started off safe," said Nazif.

The Whitehall junior went on to defeat Pleasant Valley's Madison Olexson, 6-1, 6-2 in the second round.

"I took every point as a deuce point or a match point and played as serious as I could, so if I missed a point, it was all right. She kept me in rallies for a really long time," Nazif said.

In the quarterfinal round, Nazif took on William Allen's Keri Hartz and won 6-1, 6-1.

"Keri's a good player. I didn't expect to win that well," said Nazif.

When Nazif was a freshman, Hartz defeated her in three sets. Nazif was out with an injury last season, so the Zephyr junior had been looking forward to this match.

Nazif faced eventual District XI singles champion, Nina DeLuna, in the semifinal, but lost 6-3, 6-0.

"To be honest, I just kind of wanted the match to end. I didn't like how it was going. There were hardly any rallies. There were mostly double faults, and aces, and Nina just killing the ball," Nazif said.

Throughout the tournament, Whitehall coach Meredith Kester lessened the pressure for Nazif.

"She didn't intentionally try to change anything. Even against Nina, she said she was proud of me, and to keep playing the way you are. That relieved me," said Nazif.

Looking back, Nazif feels her forehand was her weapon.

"I don't think I would have gone that far [without it]. I didn't double fault as much, and my movement was somewhat better than it was during the season. I had a lot of inside out forehands," she said.

This week, Nazif will team up with Whitehall's number three singles player, Emily Yenzer, for the District XI Girls Doubles Tennis Tournament.