Paul NasellaCabrini’s women’s tennis team stole the reign of the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference championship that has been held by Marywood University for 10 of the past 12 years.
An original match date from Oct. 11 was continued on Oct. 19 at Radnor Racquetball Court. The courts were rented due to inclement weather. Court time was limited because of prior reservations.
Cabrini College, Gwynedd-Mercy College and Marywood University were all tied atop the conference standings. Cabrini’s only chance at winning the championship outright was to win seven of the nine matches against Marywood. Cabrini would have to beat a Marywood team that had won 35 straight conference matches.
“Our whole season has come down to our last match. This is what we did triple sessions in the summer sweating for,” said senior captain Jennifer Keller.
Cabrini won eight of the nine matches and earned Cabrini’s first women’s tennis conference championship. As first year head coach, John Magee feels honored to be apart of this accomplishment. “I am here to do a job I love to do. They have worked really hard for this,” said Magee.
Tears of joy streamed down the faces of Cabrini players after the match against Marywood was declared a win for Cabrini. The victory over Marywood marked a day in history for the Lady Cavs. “This is unheard of, this has never happened to Marywood,” Keller said.
Rachael Shore was forced to switch courts twice during her match, the ninth and final match. At this time the victory for Cabrini was decided, but teammates refused to go on the court as to not distract her. Instead teammates joined fans and family in the glass-enclosed balcony above. As Shore won the final match and secured Cabrini’s title, the team watched Marywood’s record shatter through the glass windows.
“This is great for the school and the players because it’s the first time we’ve ever won,” said Magee.
Posted to the web by Paul Nasella
