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Loyalsock’s Crawford sisters win District 4 doubles gold in tennis

By GARRETT CARR 4 min read

Loyalsock's Caroline and Emily Crawford knew that they'd only have one shot at winning a district doubles title together. And Caroline, a senior, and Emily a freshman, sure made the most of their only chance to accomplish just that.

The sisters romped its way to the district finals, then overcame a one-set deficit in the final against Danville's top pair of Alexa Priesz and Ellen Pena to capture the District 4 girls tennis doubles championship on Monday afternoon at the Central PA Tennis Center in South Williamsport.

"After both really successful singles seasons, we were hesitant about whether or not to play singles districts or play doubles. But it all ended up working out," Emily Crawford said. "Singles was definitely worth it, but getting to do this together is just so fun and so exciting, and I'm really glad that we got the opportunity."

In high school tennis competition, the same players cannot quality for both the state doubles tournament and the state singles tournament in the same postseason. The Crawford sisters both reached the district semifinals, putting them one match away each from playing in the state tournament. But both lost their semifinal match last Monday at the Central PA Tennis Center, preserving their chance to play doubles together.

"Since I'm a senior, I was really grateful and lucky that I could have one year with Emily to play with her," Caroline Crawford said. "It was just really fun, and I'm really glad and grateful that I could have played together."

Loyalsock dispatched Hughesville's Talia Saka and Caroline Hicks, 6-3, 6-0 in the semifinals, getting crucial rest as the other semifinal went nearly two-and-a-half hours.

"It was not only good for saving energy because we got a little break between matches. It was definitely good for our confidence, and we kind of got into a groove and settled in, which I think really helped us in the second match," Caroline Crawford said.

In the final, Danville got out to a fast start. After losing the first game, they won the next two to go up 2-1, and a terrific passing shot down the line by Pena at 40-30 put them up 3-1 before Loyalsock held serve to make it 3-2. The Lancer sisters tied it up at three, but Priesz and Pena rallied to win the next two games to make it 5-3, and won a deuce game at 5-4 to win the first set, 6-4.

Loyalsock won the first game of the second set on their own serve, and then broke Danville's serve to take a 2-0 lead. They held serve to make it 3-0 as they pushed towards getting it to a third set, and split games to make it 4-1. Danville cut it to 4-2, but Crawford and Crawford won a deuce game at 4-2 and then won the next game with ease to tie the match up at one set each.

Loyalsock started the third set with a hold and a break to take a 2-0 lead, and consolidated the break to go up 3-0. They split games as the Lancer pair went up 4-1, but Danville held serve to get them within 4-2.

Loyalsock held at love on Caroline Crawford's serve to bring them within a game of the title at 5-2. Danville won their service game to make it 5-3, but Loyalsock won a deuce game at 5-3 to capture the district championship.

"I definitely think that we were so close, and especially for me, I've never played a match that's this close or this important before. I think just staying focused was really tough," Emily Crawford said. "But pushing our nerves down and encouraging each other definitely helped push away the nerves and just stay focused."

Longtime Loyalsock coach Kirk Bower considered this a big accomplishment for his program.

"I think it's great. Whenever you have girls, especially sisters, that have that opportunity, I think it's a big thing for our school, for them and their family," Bower said. "So, I think it was a special day for them."

The pair will advance to the state tournament at the Hershey Racquet Club on Nov. 6-7.

DISTRICT 4 DOUBLES TOURNAMENT

SEMIFINALS

Caroline Crawford/Emily Crawford, Loyalsock, def. Talia Saka/Caroline Hicks, Hughesville, 6-3, 6-0; Alexa Priesz/Ellen Pena, Danville, def. Cassandra Marte/Zoe Seely, Central Columbia, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3

FINALS

Caroline Crawford/Emily Crawford, Loyalsock, def. Alexa Priesz/Ellen Pena, Danville, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

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