Abington Girls Tennis Loses SOL Crown to CR North

Seniors Tamara Hass and Kathy DelBaccaro remember their freshman seasons vividly, and are perfectly fine with a repeat.

As rookies in 2008, the girls were part of a tennis team that finished second to Council Rock North in the Suburban One League National Conference, then rose up to take the PIAA District 1 Championship and earn a trip to states. 

So, following a rain-shortened 4-1 loss to North, Hass and DelBaccaro hope for déjà vu.

“After we saw what happened my freshman year, I can tell this year's freshmen that it's not over yet," said Hass, who lost in straight sets to North's No. 1 Chrissy Gaul. "Winning districts was unbelievable and the bond created was unbelievable."

In addition to playing, Hass and DelBaccaro have taken on leadership roles. Hass plays No. 1 and sets an example for freshman No. 2 Molly Bair and junior No. 3 Nicole Bonacci. 

DelBaccaro teams with freshman Amirah Salim at No. 1 doubles, the victorious grouping from Tuesday's match. No. 4 doubles player Sammie Bradley is the only other senior on the varsity team.

Relative inexperience can be cited as a reason why the Galloping Ghosts couldn't overtake the Indians, who returned all three singles players from last season, including two of the area's top players in Gaul and Hannah Capponi.

 Despite playing No. 2 for North, Capponi won the SOL National's individual singles championship over the weekend, taking out Hass along the way. On Tuesday afternoon, she beat Bair, 6-3, 6-2.

"[Capponi and Gaul] are good opponents, and I have fun playing them," Hass said. "It's my senior year, and I want to reach that next level where I can dig deep and pull out a victory. I wasn't successful [Tuesday]."

This group has seen plenty of success. After winning districts in 2008, Abington was district runner-up in 2009, and SOL Champs in 2009 and 2010. 

Should the teams see each other again, the Ghosts will be ready.   

"It's a big rivalry," said head coach Kristy Heyser. "We were geared up for it all season. My girls put everything forth. The outcome was a bit of disappointment, but we're very good at bouncing back. We're right where we need to be. We'll be fired up and keep working hard and playing each point."

Council Rock North 4, Abington 1: Singles: 1. Chrissy Gaul (CRN) def. Tamara Hass, 6-3, 6-1.

2. Hannah Capponi (CRN) def. Molly Bair, 6-3, 6-2.

3. Megan Sutton (CRN) def. Nicole Bonacci, 6-3, 6-2.

Doubles: 1. Kathy DelBeccaro and Amirah Salim (A) def. Erika Pinkus and Courtney Rand, 4-6, 4-6.

2. Alexandra Cozzarin and Marisa Cariola (CRN) vs. Maryam Kasamu and Christine Palazzolo, (6-7), 2-0 (rain).

3. Vicky Zhao and Maddie Case (CRN) vs. Jeannie Van Buren and Ashley Lyons, (3-6), 5-3 (rain).

4. Hannah Rogers and Marissa Strominger (CRN) def. Genn Nurnberger and Sammie Bradley, 6-2, 6-4.