South girls’ tennis had a dominating season, with an impressive 15-2 record against some of the best teams in the area. However, the post-season brought unexpected losses to the team.

South returned almost all of its team members from last year, graduating only one senior.

Their only tragic losses during the regular season came from Harriton (5-2) and Wissahickon (4-3), both semifinalists in the District One Tournament last year.

Coach Pecic said, “I love how the girls have stuck to our motto ‘No Tears, No Drama, No Excuses,’ and I am very proud of them.”

The season started out rocky, with key senior Jamie Dugan out and unable to play due to a concussion. However, as the season began, it was clear South might be a major contestant in District I, stronger than any years previous.

Fast-forward to the end of the season, and on Tuesday, September 24, South won the League Conference Title for the fourth year in a row after their 6-1 win against Pennridge. Along the way for the title, they faced formidable teams such as Pennridge and CB West but consistently came out on top.

The end of the season brought some of the hardest competition South had to face. On September 25 they played Pennsbury and won 6-1. They played Harriton on October 1 and Methacton (4-3) October 2.

The breadth of the team came from its doubles teams, which were 58-6. The doubles teams were led by seniors Lauren Layre, Lexie Bove, Sarah Weigand, Nicole Manderson, Julie Mascitti, and Anna Erkalova.

At the top of the ladder are singles players Abby Gamarnik (junior), Emily Rabinovich (sophomore), and Dana Saliyev (sophomore). These girls will continue to lead the team after South graduates its six seniors.

The Suburban One League’s Continental Conference Girls’ Singles Tournament was held September 27 and 28, when singles girls Abby and Emily played. Last year, Abby won the singles tournament. This year both girls reached the semifinals and were forced to play each other in a consolation match. However, the heat inside the tennis courts forced Abby to retire. Emily earned third place, and Abby earned fourth.

“The level of competition within the league has really stepped up from last year,” said Abby. “I want to train a lot for next year so I can come back and win.”

October 7 saw the first round of team districts. South played a home match against Abington. In districts, only the first three singles and first two doubles matches count towards the final score. Abington’s singles girls swept up all three wins, and South was unfortunately eliminated from districts.

South also sent two doubles teams, Abby Gamarnik and Lexie Bove along with Lauren Layre and junior Lisa Mayer, to compete in the SOL Continental Conference Girls’ Doubles Tournament on October 11. Abby and Lexie made it to the final round, losing to West. The duo also made it to districts for doubles, where they beat Upper Dublin but in the second round again lost to West.

“Our team is one in a million,” said Lisa Mayer. “We play tennis, but we also share a bond that carries us through the toughest of times.”