With each successive match, the Whitehall girls tennis team is learning what it takes to become successful against fierce competition within the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

One of the difficult tests they faced was against Freedom in a match last week at their home court. Freedom is one of the best teams in the EPC and head coach Alex Green knew it would be a big challenge to win any of their matches against a team that is strong up and down their lineup.

While they lost 0-7 to the undefeated Pates, they managed to win games in each of those matches, save No. 1 singles.

At No. 2 singles, Noel Yacoub won five games in her match against Rebecca Packo (2-6, 3-6), while La’Naa Roberts took six at No. 3 singles from Jessika Klo 2-6, 4-6.

Green knew it was going to be a difficult task when they faced the Pates as a number of their players are among the best players in the league.

“We’re out here battling, and that’s really good.” said Green. “Today’s really about getting better, and even seeing what Freedom does and see what makes them so successful.”

Green believes that playing against good competition is a valuable experience.

They also had a tough loss to Emmaus who edged them 3-4. That was another instance where they dropped all three singles matches although they played well enough to win. At. No. 1 singles Natalia Pedraza lost 6-7 (9) and 3-6, while Yacoub’s match went three sets before she succumbed to Mia Columbus, 5-7, 6-0, 6-7 (5).

Green said both those matches were a little bit disheartening for the team since they were right with them during those contests.

“There was definitely a lot of good things that we did out there,” said Green.

They picked up steam in the doubles round as Nicole Asmar and Sandra Reeves won in a pro set over Erin Lavelle and Darci Ott, 8-4. At No. 3 doubles, Catherine Chen and Adrianna Ordonez defeated Krissy Heilenman and Misa Hollinger in three sets, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5, while Heylee Chen and Queena Lin defeated Carolina Sampson and Sandy Sriram at No. 4, 6-4, 3-6, (7-3).

Green said that while it was a tough loss, the team’s spirit remained strong.

They bounced back with a win over Dieruff, defeating the Huskies 7-0. That victory improves their season record to 3-3.

Green said that the key to their season is to winning those matches where they have an advantage, and them come up on the winning side of the matches that could swing either way.

“Those are the matches that I really want to see us compete in,” said Green.

Those matches include opponents Stroudsburg, Allentown Central Catholic, Northampton and Parkland.