Whitehall’s victory over Pleasant Valley on Tuesday demonstrates just how far the girls tennis team has come in a year.

Last season the Bears defeated them 7-0, blanking them back in late August of 2017. This year they pulled out a hard-earned 4-3 win, putting them at 4-2 on the year.

Second year head coach Alex Green has presided over this growth, and said that Tuesday’s win was a big accomplishment in their development.

“Our best win since I’ve been here,” said Green. “The girls are ecstatic.”

Green said that the match came down to a tiebreaker at No. 1 doubles. It had been a long afternoon on the scorching tennis courts at Whitehall, and Natalia Pedraza and Noel Yacoub teamed up for the decisive victory. Both girls had earlier won their singles matches as Pedraza won at No. 1, 6-4, 6-2, while Yacoub was victorious at No. 2, 6-2, 6-0.

They also got wins at No. 3 double as Heylee Chan and Nicole Asmar defeated their Pleasant Valley counterparts, 0-6, 6-4, 6-4.

They needed a solid team effort to notch their fourth win and knock down the Bears who have had the upper hand in their matches recently.

All throughout the match, the Zephyrs were looking to push through against this tough opponent. Pleasant Valley jumped out quickly in doubles, winning the first three sets at Nos. 2-4, but Chan and Asmar rallied after that initial setback and won the next two in a gritty effort.

As the match unfolded, Green knew it was going to be close. He constantly walked along the perimeter offering encouragement to his players, clapping when La’Naa Roberts hit a good serve, Emma Garneau made a nice point, or Pedraza made a hustle play.

Green said that Garneau was fighting her tail off in her match that lasted almost an hour-and-a-half.

As for Yacoub, Green said that she’s been on a roll. Yacoub also won her match against East Stroudsburg South, defeating Madison Malsch 6-2, 6-1, and has been a consistent winner throughout the season.

“That is really good to see,” said Green.

He also said that it may have been the best match she’s played in the last two years.

He also applauded their effort. He said it was much improved from their Bethlehem Catholic match during the first week of the season.

“As far as what I’ve seen today, we’ve really been focused and determined,” he said.