Bethlehem Catholic’s girls’ tennis team won the silver medal in the District XI Class AA Team Tennis Tournament last Saturday at Northwood Racquet and Fitness Club in Easton.

Going into the match against Notre Dame Green Pond, the Hawks had been undefeated all season but then fell to the Crusaders 3-2.

“Coming into the district final at 19-0 is a testament to the girls and how they became a team. I just said to Greg [Adams], my assistant, that I would like to start next season tomorrow,” said Becahi coach George Harmanos.

Maureen Mazza and Tess Shuler were beaming after winning their doubles match for the Hawks 6-2, 6-2 after succeeding with consistent shots and solid communication.

Mazza said, “Both of us came back yesterday and practiced our hearts out.”

In the semifinal last Thursday, Mazza and Shuler had lost their match against Moravian Academy in an overall 3-2 victory for Becahi.

“We had to come in with better focus. It made us more motivated,” said Shuler.

Gabby Duffy and Tori Evert also won their doubles match on Saturday 6-2, 6-2.

“It was really good to win the last match for us. I love playing with Gabbs,” Evert said.

In the beginning of the season, Duffy’s strength was her net game while Evert’s was her ground strokes. As the season progressed, their strengths seemed to have switched.

“We clicked really well early. This is my first year playing. It was awesome to come out and have an awesome partner,” said Duffy.

Where the Hawks lost on Saturday was at singles. Brenna Magliochetti was defeated 2-6, 1-6, Molly Ehrig lost 1-6, 2-6, and Brooke Adams lost 3-6, 0-6.

Coach Harmanos said, “Today, we saw what we have to do at singles, but I know we have the ability level and the talent to make a run again next year. Notre Dame is so strong at one, two, and three singles.”

This season, Becahi’s entire singles line-up had changed from last season. Magliochetti came in as a freshman and took the number one spot, Ehrig moved up to two singles, and Adams moved down to three. Shuler also moved down from singles to doubles. All handled the changes extraordinarily well.

In addition, Allie Palmisano and Bailee Deshler were undefeated all season at number four. Liah Perez, Jade Devlin, Julie Glemser, and Elva Gao were also on the Hawks’ varsity roster.

“We were strong from beginning to end,” said Harmanos.

In the first round of the tournament, Becahi defeated Tamaqua 5-0.

In the Class AAA tournament, Liberty beat Parkland in the first round 4-1. Jackie Arthur and martina Gale won a close 7-6-7-5 match at doubles for the Canes. In the semifinal, Liberty lost 4-1 to Southern Lehigh. Samantha Peterson was the lone winner at number one singles on a forfeit.

Freedom defeated Easton in its first round match 3-2. Kaitlyn Swint pulled out a 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 victory at two singles. Becky Packo won 6-0, 6-0 at number three singles, and Gabriella Greenhoward and Anjoli Chhugani won their doubles match 6-3, 6-2. In the semifinal, the Patriots lost to Nazareth 4-1. Natalie Sinai was Freedom’s winner at number one singles 6-2, 6-3.