Finnerty, DeFrazio win District 4 doubles title
By: Selinsgrove Athletics | NTL Sports | October 20, 2021
After sweeping through the first three rounds losing just four games in three straight-set victories, winning the District 4 Class 2A doubles title on Wednesday at the Central Pa. Tennis Club, proved to be a bit tougher for the Selinsgrove duo of Fiona Finnerty and Avery DeFazio.
Facing the Danville team of Mrianna Arnabar and Sarah Bhanushali in the semifinals, the top-seeded team from Selinsgrove was pushed to a tiebreak in the first set, before grabbing the 7-4 win. They picked up the victory with a 6-3 win in the second set.
They faced the Loyalsock team of Anna Hall and Mia Blas in the finals. It seemed to another straight-set victory as FInnerty and DeFazio didn't drop a game in the opening set. However, the Loyalsock duo rallied to give the Selinsgrove team its first loss in a set during the tournament, 6-1, forcing a divisive third set for the District gold.
After an adjustment, Finnerty and DeFazio won the third set, and claimed the district title. The two will compete at the Hersey Racket Club in the PIAA Tournament on Nov. 5.
During Monday's first three rounds, Finnerty and DeFazio were dominant. Entering the tournament as the top seed, they beat a team from North Penn-Liberty, 6-1, 6-1. In the next round, the team of Greta Kimble and Olivia Jackson of South Williamsport, 6-1, 6-0. In the quarterfinals, the team beat the Lewisburg team of Grace Hilkert and Bridget Kinnaman, 6-1, 6-0.
Selinsgrove's other team - Maddie Rowan and Norah Witkop - fell in the opening round to the South Williamsport team of Eve Jackson and Sadie Stahl, 6-2, 6-2.
District 4 Tennis Doubles Championships
Round 1
No. 1 Fionna Finnerty-Avery DeFazio (SEL) defeated Addison Hill-Angeline Benitez (NPL), 6-1 6-1; Greta Kimble-Olivia Jackson (SW) defeated Alexis Scopelliti-Madelyn Nicholas (MIFF), 6-1 2-6 7-5; Kayla Probert-Emma Poorman (BUCK) defeated Abby Burell-Brooke Garman (BLOOM), 6-2 4-6 6-1; No. 8 Grace Hilkert-Bridget Kinnaman (LEW) defeated Bekah Rosario-Taylor Shannon (MUN), 6-2 6-1; No. 5 Kylie Kilgore (HUGH) defeated Maggie Vandermark-Lexie Lehman (CC), 6-3 6-4; Sam Ulrich-Mallorie Myers (MONT) defeated Hannah Ryck-Hannah Risch (TOW), 2-6 6-3 6-2; Maddy Hall-Izzy Dadzie (LOY) defeated Rahel Hartman-Breanna Porter (JS), 6-2 7-5; No. 4 Marianna Arnabar-Sarah Bhanushali (DAN) defeated Kateyln Good-Erin Deljanovan (MTV), 6-1 6-2; No. 3 Kara Mann-Alaina Marchioni (MTV) defeated Marissa Griess-Martina Bradford (NPL), 6-2 6-1; Destini Flowers-Breanna Bobak (HUGH) defeated Adelyn Dawes-Emma Gallou (SJN), 6-0 6-1; Eva Jackson-Sadie Stahl (SW) defeated Maddie Rowan-Norah Witkop (SEL), 6-2 6-2; No. 6 Megan Minnig-Riley Noss (CC) defeated Bella English-Alexis Lowery (BUCK), 6-2 6-0; Katelyn Fessler-Jayden Thomas (LEW) defeated No. 7 Haley Shadle-Celia Shemory (JS), 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7-5); Mya Coyne-Megan Anderson (BLOOM) defeated Chloe Skaluba-Alyssa Krepinevich (MUN), 6-1 6-0; Jenna Waring-Cortney Smith (MONT) defeated Brooklyn Wade-Madelyn Nicholas (MIL), 6-0 6-4; Anna Hall-Mia Blas (LOY) defeated Kyra Welliver-Mehak Kotru (DAN), 6-1 6-4.
Round 2
Finnerty-DeFazio (SEL) defeated Greta Kimble-Olivia Jackson (SW), 6-1 6-0; Hilkert-Kinnaman (LEW) defeated Kayla Probert-Emma Poorman (BUCK), 6-3 6-4; Kilgore-Budman (HUGH) defeated Ulrich-Myers (MONT), 4-6 6-1 6-2; Arnabar-Bhanushali (DAN) defeated Hall-Dadzie (LOY), 6-2 3-6 6-3; Mann-Machioni (MTV) defeated Flowers-Bobak, 6-0 6-4; Minnig-Noss (CC) defeated Jackson-Stahl (SW), 6-2 6-2; Coyne-Anderson (BLOOM) defeated Fessler-Thomas (LEW), 6-4 6-7 (7-3) 6-1; Hall-Blas (LOY) defeated Mann-Marchioni (MONT), 5-7 7-5 6-1.
Quarterfinals
Finnerty and DeFazio (SEL) defeated Hilkert and Kinnaman (LEW), 6-1 6-0; Arnabar and Bhanushali (DAN) defeated Kilgore and Budman (HUGH), 6-2 6-3; Mann Machioni (MTV) defeated Minnig and Noss (CC), 6-1 6-4; Hall and Blas (LOY) defeated Coyne and Anderson, 6-1 6-0.
Semifinals
Fiona Finnerty-Avery DeFazio (Sel) def. Mariana Arnabar-Sarah Bhanushali (Dan) 7-6 (4), 6-3; Anna Hall-Mia Blas (Loy) def. Kara Mann- Alaina Marchioni (Mont), 6-4, 6-4.
Final
Finnerty-DeFazio def. Hall-Blas 6-0, 1-6, 6-2.
