Girls' tennis: Rachel Martin becomes rare James Buchanan district qualifier

ENOLA >> James Buchanan junior Rachel Martin won a pair of matches Friday at No. 1 singles in the Mid Penn Conference Class AA girls tennis tournament.

Not only does that slide Martin into Saturday's final at No. 1, but it also clinches a berth in the District 3 Class AA singles tournament.

"I believe she's the first JB girls player to qualify for districts," Rocket coach Terri Beegle said, "at least since I've been here (9 years). She played some really long points in her semifinal match – I think somebody timed one of the points taking six minutes."

Martin won 6-0, 6-0 in the first round, then took out Alexis Welker of Bishop McDevitt in the semis, 7-5, 6-1. She will face Trinity's Katherine Long in the final and has gone 1-1 vs. Long this year.

The other JB team still alive is at No. 2 doubles. Rachel Poffenberger and Violet Clark won a long first match, 4-6, 7-5 and 6-0. In the semifinals, they lost the first set 6-4 and were ahead 4-6 when thunderstorms halted the event.

At No. 1 doubles, the Rockets' Maggie Strawoet and Autumn Schweizer fell 7-6 (7-5), 1-6, 4-6 in the first match.

Beegle said, "That first set was the best I've seen them play this year, but not so much in the second."

District 3 Class AA Tennis

SIngles

1.Rachel Martin (JB) d Mararo (Susq. Twp.), 6-0, 6-0; Martin (JB) d Alexis Welker (B.McDevitt), 7-5, 6-1

2. Olivia Otstot (E.Pennsboro) d Meredyth Sanders (JB), 6-3, 6-0

3. Sage Sufrin (E.Penn) d Abbie Heinbaugh (JB), 6-0, 6-2

Doubles

1. Trinity (Borza, Joyce) d Maggie Strawoet-Autumn Schweizer (JB), 6-7 (7-5), 6-1, 6-4

2. Rachel Poffenberger-Violet Clark (JB) d East Pennsboro (Miller, Geisler), 4-6, 7-5, 6-0; match vs. McDevitt suspended

COLONIAL PARK >> The Chambersburg girls tennis team played in the Mid Penn Conference Class AAA tournament on Friday and was defeated in all five first-round matches.

Taryn Brechbill at No. 3 singles came the closest to a win, falling 6-4, 6-4 to Maddie Schwab of Central Dauphin.

The No. 1 doubles team of Madison Mellinger and Sydney Fischer was defeated 6-4, 6-1.

District 3 Class AA Tennis

SIngles

1. Alli Lynn (Palmyra) d Paige Sideras (Chbg), 6-0, 6-0

2. Paige Keefer (Mechanicsburg) d Cassidi Martin (Chbg), 6-2, 6-2

3. Maddie Schwab (Central Dauphin) d Taryn Brechbill (Chbg), 6-4, 6-4

Doubles

1. Reilly-Larkin (CD) d Madison Mellinger-Sydney Fischer (Chbg), 6-4, 6-1

2. Stepp-Zemaitis (Cedar Cliff) d Kara Wiley-Emma Guare (Chbg), 6-2, 6-1