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Some positives for Loyalsock in PIAA team tennis loss

Loyalsock is out of the PIAA Class AA team competition after its 3-1 first-round loss Tuesday to Moravian Academy at the West Branch Tennis Club, but there’s more tennis ahead for 3 of its players.

Kim Levy, who picked up the Lancers’ only point with a 6-4, 6-2 victory at No. 2 singles, will pair with Sarah Malone today as the District 4 Class AA doubles tournament concludes at the West Branch Tennis Club.

Levy beat Mia Chyung, who teamed with Kara Chyung to win the District 11 Class AA doubles title earlier this month.

“I played really well today, probably the best all season during this match,” said Levy.

Malone fell 6-3, 6-2 to Rachel Fromer at No. 3 singles.

Elsewhere, District 4 Class AA singles champion Pam Niditch’s match at No. 1 singles was stopped at 3-6, 4-2 vs. Kara Chyung when the team score had been decided.

Moravian’s Zoe Hildebrand and Arden Ashford won 6-1, 6-0 over Mallee Hornberger and Emily Kuntz at No. 1 doubles. The Lancers forfeited No. 2 doubles, as they’ve done all year since they only have 6 players and 7 are needed to field a full singles and doubles lineup.

Loyalsock (17-3) coach Rick Zimmerman said Levy’s victory should only help as she and Malone prepare to face Hughesville’s Courtney McGowan and Kierra Croucher. The semifinals begin at 2 today, with the finals to follow.

“You’d expect that from Kim. She’s lost one singles match in 3 years for us and is one of the best players I’ve ever coached,” said Zimmerman. “She’s played behind the last 3 district champions here. She usually doesn’t get the respect she deserves, but she’s been one of the best around.”

Tuesday was also a rematch of last year’s PIAA semifinal, which Moravian won, 3-2. Last year, Niditch fell 6-1, 6-2 to Kara Chyung at No. 1 singles and Levy fell 7-5, 6-4 to Mia Chyung at No. 3 singles. Kara Chyung had been the defending District Class AA singles champion this season.

Niditch is off until the PIAA championships Nov. 1-2 at Hershey. She will play District 7 runner-up Sidney Miggontz of Sewickley Academy in the first round.

“I have to say I’m really proud of this team for winning a district title with only 6 girls,” said Zimmerman. “Forfeiting No. 2 doubles is going to catch up with you at some point. That might have been today.”

Today’s District 4 doubles champion will play District 7 runner-up Mariah Bridges and Mattie Taylor of Beaver in the first round, while the runners-up get District 7 champions Amy Cheng and Jappman Monga of Sewickley.

The other two District 4 Class AA?doubles semifinal today is Ivy-Rose Kramer and Emily Wawroski of Bloomsburg vs. Maria Morgan and Abby Ransom of Bucktail.

Hughesville, the District 4 AA team runner-up, fell 3-0 in the first round to District 3 champion Lancaster Catholic.

SINGLES

1. Pam Niditch, L, susp. vs. Kara Chyung 3-6, 4-2; 2. Kim Levy, L, def. Mia Chyung 6-4, 6-2; 3. Rachel Fromer, M, def. Sarah Malone 6-3, 6-2

DOUBLES

1. Zoe Hildebrand/Arden Ashford, M, def. Mallee Hornberger/Emily Kuntz 6-1, 6-0. 2. Kaite Burke, Priyah Atiyeh, M, forfei

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