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Olivia Dorner finishes sensational girls tennis career with second straight state singles title

By Evan Wheaton 4 min read
EVAN WHEATON/Sun-Gazette South Williamsport's Olivia Dorner (center) stands atop the PIAA girls tennis singles podium after winning her second straight state title.

HERSHEY -- Let's take a look at Olivia Dorner's resume.

Entering the 2021 girls tennis season, the No. 31 national college recruit -- and No. 4 in the Middle Atlantic -- was 61-2 in her career, having not lost a match since her sophomore postseason. As of last month, Dorner is the only player in Pennsylvania's history to win four consecutive District 4 singles titles.

Having been the runner-up in states her sophomore year, Dorner took home the state crown her junior season. On Saturday, the senior sensation out of South Williamsport capped off her historic high school career with a second PIAA Class AA crown after defeating Riverside's Karissa Ghigiarelli, 6-4, 6-3 in the state final.

"It's great to finish in states, first in my senior year," Dorner said.

The duel between Dorner and Ghigiarelli was a rematch of the 2019 state final. Ghigiarelli came out on top two years ago in a three-setter.

With both players on opposite halves of the bracket, it was only a matter of time before they had their rematch. Knowing her varsity career was about to come full circle, Dorner knew it wouldn't be easy on the big stage.

"I went into the match and my dad was like, 'Just rally the ball the first couple games. Don't get down, try and get a lead.' And then I go out and get down 3-0," Dorner said. "I was like, 'Okay, relax. Just play your game the way you've been playing this entire season and relax.' I was very tense."

Ghigiarelli wasted no time jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first set. Facing the biggest deficit she's had in two years, Dorner dialed in and rallied back with five straight games to her name. Once Ghigiarelli cut it 5-4, Dorner took the last game to put herself a set away from closing the book.

It was adversity Dorner hadn't seen in a long time. Adversity that hasn't come her way in District 4. But Dorner is built to adapt to it.

"I knew the match was going to be tough … if I kept winning I'd see her in the finals, so I knew it was gonna be a tough match. I just kept practicing and practicing and thinking, 'Okay, we're working up to this, so just go out and play like you have been.'"

From there, Dorner never looked back or trailed again en route to the title.

Earlier in the day, Dorner swept Sewickley Academy's Ashley Close to advance to the state final. Ghigiarelli defeated Knoch's Ally Bauer 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinal.

"It's the awesome combination of work ethic, athleticism, opportunity she's taken and being able to use the Pennsylvania Tennis Center, and having a dad who's very dedicated to her tennis career," South Williamsport coach Theresa Summerson said on Dorner. "She's just someone who loves the game, so that's a great combination for a person to have. But she's special in that way."

As of last week, Dorner has officially committed to the University of Denver. With just as many state titles to her name as losses, Dorner is leaving behind a legacy in not just South Williamsport, but the entire district.

"She's brought a lot of honor to the District and of course to South Williamsport, and I'm just so proud of her and the achievements she's achieved," Summerson said. "South has never had anybody like that and never will again. The District has never had anyone like that either."

PIAA GIRLS TENNIS CLASS AA SINGLES TOURNAMENT

SEMIFINALS

Olivia Dorner (South Williamsport) def. Ashley Close (Sewickley Academy), 6-0, 6-0. Karissa Ghigiarell (Riverside) def. Ally Bauer (Knoch) 6-1, 6-2.

FINAL

Olivia Dorner (South Williamsport) def. Karissa Ghigiarelli (Riverside) 6-4, 6-3.

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