CLARKS SUMMIT — Clutch.

That’s the best way to describe the performances from senior Catherine Pusateri and junior Lauren Carroll. Both faced big deficits in the third set of matches they needed to win in order for Abington Heights to claim a seventh consecutive District 2 Class 3A team tennis championship.

Their gutty comebacks, along with Clare DellaValle’s victory in straight sets, allowed Abington Heights to defeat Wallenpaupack, 3-2, Oct. 20 at Birchwood Tennis & Fitness Club.

Even though they won’t advance to the state tournament due to Williamsport winning the District 2-4 Class 3A subregional tournament Oct. 11, members of the Lady Comets were thrilled to continue the stretch of District 2 titles.

“Knowing all the great players who have come through here, like Tyra (Abdalla), and being able to keep the streak alive is pretty great,” Carroll said.

Pusateri dropped the first set to sophomore Phoebe Cykosky, 6-3, at number two singles, but responded to the adversity with a convincing, 6-0, victory in the second set to even the match. Pusateri fell behind, 4-3, in the final set, but maintained her poise and broke serve twice as she won four of the next five games to win the match and clinch the district title for Abington Heights (15-3).

“Phoebe played a great match, I just had to stay focused and consistent, and choose when to be aggressive,” Pusateri said. “Luckily, it played through in my favor.

“I just wanted to make the best out of the last match I was ever going to play in high school.”

Carroll, who was defeated by Zoe Cykosky, a senior, in straight sets during a regular season matchup between the teams Aug. 31, rolled to a 6-1 win in the first set at number one singles.

“That was probably one of the best things that could have happened for me in the match,” Carroll said. “It was really good to know I could keep up with her, because the last time we played I didn’t play my best.”

Zoe Cykosky answered with a 6-3 victory to set up the third and deciding set. She seemed to be in control, building a 4-1 lead, but Carroll battled back to win five straight games to take the match.

“Having my teammates next to me was pumping me up,” Carroll said. “It was really nice to have them to keep me going. I knew I didn’t want to lose, and I had to keep the points going as long as I could.”

DellaValle, who suffered just one defeat all season, helped swing the momentum back in Abington Heights’ favor after Wallenpaupack (14-3) took a 2-0 lead with wins in both doubles matches in straight sets.

The freshman captured the first set, 6-3, and cruised to a 6-1 victory in the second to defeat sophomore Heidi Washburn and give the Lady Comets their first win in the contest.

“I tried to be really consistent and not make any unforced errors,” DellaValle said. “I tried to get my first serve in, because she was having trouble getting it back.”

Wallenpaupack’s duo of senior Kristen Denniston and junior Gina Nolan defeated junior Savannah Blaum and freshman Lauren Koczwara, 6-2, 6-1, at number one doubles. The Lady Buckhorns team of seniors Brielle Brice and Julie Spanton topped senior Macy Marturano and freshman Julia Poulson-Houser, 7-5, 6-2, at number two doubles.

Abington Heights defeated Wallenpaupack, 3-2, to win the District 2 Class 3A team tennis championship Oct. 20. From left, first row, Clare DellaValle, co-captain Macy Marturano, co-captain Catherine Pusateri, Lauren Carroll. Second row, Isabel Lam, Lauren Koczwara, Maggie Hall, Holly Ross, Emily Marquardt, Julia Brown. Third row, assistant coach John Weiss, Julia Poulson-Houser, Savannah Blaum, Schyler Krieger, Caroline Cole, Brooke Dennison, Keena Jackson and head coach Kelly Arp.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_ABJ-AH-Girls-Tennis-Team.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington Heights defeated Wallenpaupack, 3-2, to win the District 2 Class 3A team tennis championship Oct. 20. From left, first row, Clare DellaValle, co-captain Macy Marturano, co-captain Catherine Pusateri, Lauren Carroll. Second row, Isabel Lam, Lauren Koczwara, Maggie Hall, Holly Ross, Emily Marquardt, Julia Brown. Third row, assistant coach John Weiss, Julia Poulson-Houser, Savannah Blaum, Schyler Krieger, Caroline Cole, Brooke Dennison, Keena Jackson and head coach Kelly Arp.

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.

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Video Caption: The Abington Heights girls tennis team defeated Wallenpaupack, 3-2, to win the District 2 Class 3A championship Oct. 20 at Birchwood Tennis & Fitness Club.
Video Credit: Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal
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