Serving up championships
JEFFERSON TWP — When Knoch High School's girls tennis team plays, it wins.
Simple as that.
The Knights continued their run of success in 2020 by winning the PIAA Class 2A championship in Hershey over the weekend, defeating Scranton Prep 5-0 in the semifinals and Moravian Academy 3-0 in the title match.
So far this year, Knoch has won its fifth straight section title — going undefeated in those matches — and the WPIAL 2A team title. Laura Greb won her fourth straight WPIAL singles title, Brooke and Ally Bauer the district doubles crown.
All of this has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I've got a dream team having a dream season during a time we're living in a nightmare,” Knoch coach Nance Conlon said.
The Knights were particularly dominant in singles over the weekend. Laura Greb lost only one game in two matches, Brooke Bauer two games and Emily Greb three.
“Every player out there was a championship level player,” Conlon said. “The scoreboard looked that (dominant) way, but we weren't winning those games 40-love. All of those points were hotly contested.
“Our girls just stayed focused throughout, like they've been doing all year.”
Knoch took only eight players to Hershey. Lindsay Greb, Emily's freshman twin sister who missed most of this year to injury, played No. 2 doubles with fellow freshman Jade Nether. Ally Bauer and Ava Santora won at No. 1 doubles.
“We have a young team and our freshmen were a big part of this,” Laura Greb said. “They're experienced players who have been playing tennis all their lives.
“The competitiveness they brought to the team this year helped us a lot.”
Knoch has seven freshmen who have played this year.
Conlon said she “wished I could have taken all 17 of our players to Hershey, but that's just not the environment we're living in. No team was allowed to bring more than 10.
“I've got three freshmen with gold around their neck right now. That speaks well for the future,” she added.
Laura Greb, a senior, has verbally committed to continue her career at the University of Dayton. Brooke Bauer, also a senior, is looking to play tennis in college as well, but is still sorting through options that way.
Ally Bauer, a sophomore, is her younger sister and doubles partner.
“It's been super fun, awesome, playing with her,” Brooke said. “We talk about our shots all the time. We know each other's games so well.”
Knoch's tennis season isn't over just yet. Laura Greb will play in the state singles quarterfinals Wednesday at Oxford Athletic Club. If she wins there, she returns to Hershey for the semifinal and final round. Brooke and Ally Bauer play that same schedule in doubles this week.
“Hopefully, we've got a couple more championship runs in us,” Conlon said.
Brooke Bauer admitted she's only now wrapping her mind around what Knoch's team has accomplished.
“We didn't even know we were going to have a season, or when it might get shut down,” she said. “This run has exceeded all expectations.”
“Definitely exciting,” Laura Greb said. “What a great year. We've accomplished a lot as a team.”
