GIRLS’ TENNIS: Cardinal O’Hara Wins Third Consecutive PCL Title

By Angelise Stuhl , 10/12/16, 3:00PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA – Yesterday morning, Cardinal O’Hara’s girls’ tennis team hoisted the Philadelphia Catholic League plaque for the third consecutive year. O’Hara defeated Lansdale Catholic for the second year in a row in a match score of 5-0.

In preparation for the championship match, O’Hara head coach Patty Fitzgerald focused on building her team’s confidence at the net.

“We did a lot of running drills and we did a lot of volleys. I wanted to make sure their volleys were crisp because I wanted them to control the net. I told them all along that the team that controls the net will control the match. When you are hitting shots from the base line, you are basically waiting for someone to make a mistake, but at the net you can take control,” said Fitzgerald. “We had a nice practice, we did a lot of serves. The girls were just so excited about coming back here, especially the seniors.”

2016 PCL Tennis Championship Presentation

O’Hara’s senior captain, Cara Degnan, noted that Fitzgerald’s net drills really attributed to her success during her singles match against Lansdale’s Shannon Carr.

“I thought my match went really well today. I was getting in all of my volley’s and my serves were in and I did a lot of over-heads. We practiced them yesterday and I was so happy to get them in,” said Degnan, who won her match 6-3, 6-3.

Degnan’s younger sister, Anna Marie, shined on the court playing No. 1 singles against Lansdale’s Jackie Campbell. Next year, Anna explained that she will certainly miss playing on the team alongside her sister.

Team captain, Cara Degnan, expresses her excitement on her 3rd PCL title

“My sister and I have been playing together for a really long time, she’s always there for me,” said the sophomore who won her match 6-2, 6-2. “It’s always nice to have her right next to me on the court because she always motivates me to play better. It’s going to be really weird not having her next year, but I think we will be good and I’ll definitely miss her.”

For Cardinal O’Hara, as one season ends, another begins. Coach Fitzgerald is already looking upon her junior varsity squad to step up in preparation for next season.

“I pulled all the JV aside and I told them all that ‘next year you girls have to step up if you want to make it back here," said Fitzgerald. “We have a very active JV program. While I’m working with the varsity, constantly in the back of my mind I’m thinking about the JV and who is going to be ready next year to come up and play singles. I’m losing my second and third singles as well as half of my doubles. Hopefully the girls will work on their game after the season is over. “

No. 1 singles, Anna Degnan, reflects on her game

Nina Ji, No. 3 singles player, talks about her match

Erin Hutchinson, reflects on her tough No. 2 doubles match

As for Lansdale, this season proved to be successful. After losing 10 senior starters, landing back in the PCL championship is a feat in itself for the Crusaders.

Although PCL play has come to an end, both teams are scheduled to compete in the Philadelphia District 12 playoff on Thursday, October 20th.