CRANBERRY TWP — North Catholic High School has only had a girls tennis team for four years.

Last season, the Trojanettes finished 6-3 in section play —good enough for fourth place — qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs for the first time.

The top seven players from that team graduated.

So the cupboard was bare for this season.

Or so it seemed.

“I figured we'd be in full rebuilding mode,” coach Eric Solverson admitted.

Not so.

Reagan Sommariva, a junior, transferred in from Butler. Mara Brak, a sophomore, did likewise from Vincentian. Riley Pylant, a freshman, attended St. Killian last year. Her family moved to the Mars area from Charleston, S.C., two years ago.

Those are the Trojanettes' top three singles players.

“They weren't even in school here last year,” Solverson said. “What a difference they've made. And Tori Drevna, another freshman, is our top doubles player.”

Drevna, who lives in Cranberry Township, began playing tennis when she was 3. She stopped playing at age 9 to pursue basketball and plans to try out for the Trojanettes' team this winter.

“I saw they had a tennis team here, so I figured I might as well try out,” Dreva said. “I got picked to play doubles and I got back into the sport pretty quickly.

“I feel fortunate to be starting in doubles. Everybody's been real nice. I love this team.”

And this team loves winning.

North Catholic is off to a 6-1 start this year, 4-0 in section play. The Trojanettes have already knocked off Derry, a section foe that went 8-1 in league matches a year ago. It was North Catholic's first-ever victory over Derry.

The Trojanettes host unbeaten and two-time section champion Knoch at the Cranberry Township park courts Monday afternoon.

Sommariva was appointed team captain this season and is unbeaten at No. 1 singles. She's lost only eight total games in her seven matches thus far.

“Reaqan has embraced the leadership role,” Solverson said.

“We have nice players and I love encouraging everybody,” Sommariva said. “I like interacting with different people, no matter what school I'm going to. It's always a good time.”

Sommariva began playing tennis at Butler Country Club at age 5. She has been involved in competitive matches through the United States Tennis Association since she was 8.

She began this season ranked No,. 7 in Pennsylvania for her age group by the USTA and 150th on the East Coast.

“I focus on my strokes when I'm on the court,” Sommariva said. “I zone everybody out and just focus on my game. That's my biggest strength ... Be within myself and focus on what I want to do.”

Sommariva hopes to play Div. I or II collegiate tennis down the road.

Pylant has been playing tennis for nine years, but never for a school team until she played junior varsity in seventh grade.

“I'm just happy to be part of the team,” Pylant said. “I'm proud to be playing No. 3 singles as a freshman. I feel like that's a big accomplishment.

“Everyone on the team is very supportive. We're always cheering for each other. I can hear my teammates cheering when I'm playing and I love that.”

Sophie Stumm, Bella Kunsak and Ava Perock are among other doubles players Solverson works into the mix.

“He's looking for good combinations on the court, so I've played with different partners,” Drevna said. “I don't mind. It benefits the team to figure things out.”

The bulk of this team will be back next year as well.

“I believe we can go pretty far this year — maybe all the way,” Drevna said. “We're building more and more confidence every day.”