HS TENNIS: Scranton Prep sweeps past Abington Heights in annual showdown

Sep. 19—NEWTON TWP. — Alyssa Wigley hit a winner, pumped her fist, and received a loud ovation of appreciation from the large gathering of teammates, family, and friends outside the fence of the first court at Abington Heights Middle School.

Scranton Prep's top singles player, who is the reigning Times-Tribune Player of the Year, just completed a highly competitive, intense, and entertaining back-and-forth against Abington Heights' Susan Arp. They were the main attraction of the most fierce girls tennis rivalry between two teams that entered the showdown undefeated.

On Monday afternoon, with the bleachers at capacity, Wigley capped Scranton Prep's win over Abington Heights, 5-0, in the marquee dual match of the season. The Classics remained undefeated and are in the driver's seat for a second straight league championship with a 10-0 record.

"It was a lot harder playing at Abington Heights' home courts, and they had the advantage with all the fans," Wigley said. "I am very proud of this whole team. I think we all overcame some nerves and still pulled out the win. It was an amazing win."

Wigley and Arp, who won last season's District 2 Class 3A championship, put on quite a show. Their clash at No. 1 singles featured several lengthy rallies and athletic shots and returns.

With each winner, the player received a shower of applause from those impressed with their level of skill.

Eventually, Wigley fought through and earned her 10th win without a loss, 6-2, 6-3.

"Susan is an amazing player, and it is always a great match against her," Wigley said. "I just had to be strong mentally. You not only have to play against a talented player like Susan, but also the fan base. You almost feel all alone out there on the court, so overcoming that mentally was the toughest part of the match for me.

"I felt great. I was able to keep myself together and play my hardest, and it was a great outcome."

All season, Scranton Prep's singles lineup has dominated, and that continued against the Lady Comets.

Lily Lengyl used a powerful forehand and crafty drop shots with English to defeat Leelah Farrell, 6-2, 6-1. Lengyl also improved her singles record to 10-0 this season for the Classics.

"I went out there just having a positive attitude," Lengyl said. "I focused on moving my feet and just staying calm on the court. I knew that Leelah was a really good player, and I just wanted to play my best game.

"I thought I had a good mix of shots. That was what I wanted to do."

In the No. 3 singles match, sophomore Emma Cuck earned her second career win over Sona Hanumali. She came from behind to take the first set, 6-4, then carried momentum into the second set for a 6-0 win to also improve to 10-0 overall.

"I was just very nervous in the beginning," Cuck said. "I just focused more and played better. I attacked the ball a lot more."

Scranton Prep also earned wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. Ella Cohen and Grace Devine defeated Mary Booth and Amishi Amit, 6-0, 6-0, and Hannah LaCoe and Nicole Kranovich beat Sammy Rosenstein and Bernie Mullen 6-1, 6-1.

At Wallenpaupack, Erika Badner, Sarah Niemiec and Alaina Burke won their singles matches in straight sets to lead the Lady Buckhorns to a 5-0 win over Scranton.

At West Scranton, Zarina Mustafina won at No. 3 singles and West Scranton swept the doubles matches to earn a 3-2 win over Montrose. Cara Evans and Paley Adams had singles wins for Montrose.

At the University of Scranton, Hannah Pisarcik, Sadie Pappas and Samichha Baniya won their singles matches in straight sets to lead Holy Cross to a 4-1 win over Mid Valley. Mackenzie Adolfson-Carolyn Chakiris won at No. 2 doubles for Mid Valley.

At McDade Park, Anna Lima won at No. 3 singles and Riverside swept the doubles matches to earn a 3-2 victory over Honesdale. Mandy Grossman and Lucy Harrington had singles wins for Honesdale.

At Western Wayne, Ava Ferraro, Krithika Kishnon and Sasha Novak had singles wins to lead Dunmore to a 5-0 win.

Scranton Prep 5, Abington Heights 0

Singles: Alyssa Wigley over Susan Arp, 6-2, 6-3; Lily Lengyel over Leelah Farrell, 6-2, 6-1; Emma Cuck over Sona Hanumali, 6-4, 6-0.

Doubles: Ella Cohen-Grace Devine over Mary Booth-Amishi Amit, 6-0, 6-0; Hannah LaCoe-Nicole Kranovich over Sammy Rosenstein-Bernie Mullin, 6-1, 6-1.

Records: SP 10-0, AH 10-1.

Wallenpaupack 5, Scranton 0

Singles: Erika Badner over Maia Philbin, 6-2, 6-1; Sarah Niemiec over Tejshree Patel, 6-2, 6-0; Alaina Burke over Caroline Cobley, 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles: Soleil Wright-Kelly Hotaling over Diya Patel-Jordan Elliott, 7-5, 6-0; Cadance Danelski-Victoria Latek over Divya Patel-Bhakti Patel, 6-3, 6-0.

Records: WAL 6-2, SCR 5-6.

West Scranton 3, Montrose 2

Singles: Cara Evans (MON) over Celia Emiliani, 6-0, 6-0; Paley Adams (MON) over Katie Fahey, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1; Zarina Mustafina (WS) over Gelina Smith, 6-4, 7-5.

Doubles: Katherine Barnansky-Nora Frounfelker (WS) over Jessica Carey-Miranda Walter, 6-4, 6-4; Nina Emiliani-Julia Farkaly (WS) over Aubrey Sodon-Harleigh Smith, 6-4, 6-4.

Records: WS 7-4, MON 4-6.

Holy Cross 4, Mid Valley 1

Singles: Hannah Pisarcik (HC) over Lismarie Mercado, 6-1, 6-0; Sadie Pappas (HC) over Abby Mackey, 6-0, 6-2; Samichha Baniya (HC) over Adison Cilvik, 6-0, 6-1.

Doubles: Claire Polishan-Katie Martinez (HC) over Sam Magliocchi-Natalie Hricenak, 6-2, 6-4; Mackenzie Adolfson-Carolyn Chakiris (MV) over Emma Woody-Mia Sosa, 6-4, 4-6, 11-9.

Records: HC 3-6, MV 2-7.

Riverside 3, Honesdale 2

Singles: Mandy Grossman (HON) over Leah Pfeiffer 6-4, 6-2; Lucy Harrington (HON) over Anavi Nieves, 7-5, 6-3; Anna Lima (RIV) over Madison Candele, 6-4, 7-5.

Doubles: Mia Scotti-Erisa Castillo (RIV) over Rory Decker-Casey Morton, 6-2, 7-5; Sarah McCullon-Jessdaly Torres (RIV) over Morgan Wendell-Madison Hamilton, 7-5, 6-1.

Records: RIV 2-9, HON 0-10.

Dunmore 5, Western Wayne 0

Singles: Ava Ferraro over Cassidy Zeiler, 10-0; Krithika Krishnon over Karina Booths, 10-1; Sasha Novak over Brenna McGlone, 10-3.

Doubles: Maggie Jimmie-Loren Spudic over Maddie McClure-Bella Kolp, 10-0; Katherine Skgioli-Danielle DePietro over Emma Spewak-Alicia Wertman, 8-1.

Records: DUN 3-7, WW 0-8.

Contact the writer: jbfawcett@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9125; @sportsTT on Twitter