Liberty’s girls’ tennis match against Northampton last week was chock-full of three set matches and tiebreakers as the Hurricanes pulled out a 4-3 victory over the KKids at Northampton.

“The last two matches were one singles and three doubles. Paige [Simons] played against [Liz Hozza] who was super consistent, and Angie [Ronca] played a great match [at three singles],” said Liberty coach Chris Conrad. “We were lucky enough to get to four before one doubles.”

That’s because Simons was in a three set match at one singles, and Julia Zheng had also played a three set match at two singles. They would have had to play another match at one doubles if the Hurricanes had not won four matches.

Simons won hers 6-0, 4-6, 7-6, as did Zheng 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

“I didn’t know until my tiebreaker that my match was depending on the win. I feel like it motivated me and pushed me to do it for the team,” said Simons. “It was insanely close. She was 5, and I was 4, and if I lost, we were done.

“I just made sure I kept the ball in and not hit winners unless she gave me the opportunity. It felt refreshing. I was happy.”

Zheng won her match 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

“I finished first, so I was off the hook,” Zheng smiled. “After I lost the second set, my coach said, ‘I don’t care whether you win or lose’ [to take the pressure off], and I said, ‘I’m going to win.’

“At the end of the day, it was fun, but during, it was nerve wracking. It was a relief, and I was really happy.”

Although Angie Ronca, a freshman, lost at three singles, she played in two tiebreakers, 6-7, 6-7.

“It can be super stressful but a lot of fun,” she said. “When I’d get a good volley, I’d crush it down the sides, and I was finishing off points to her backhand.”

Kendra Siegfried and Gabby Harvilla won at two doubles 6-2, 7-5, and Braden Drake and Margeaux Donchez won at three doubles 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

At four doubles Caroline Hawk and Maren Drake lost 2-6, 1-6. Sophie Carpenter and Sachi Patel played the one doubles exhibition and lost 0-8.

“Last year, Northampton was incredibly good,” said Coach Conrad. “This win put us in contention for districts. We were able to pull it out. This was good for us.”