On Friday, Downingtown East freshman Brianna Litvan claimed the Ches-Mont National Division singles title, while Unionville senior Sophie Zhang triumphed in the Ches-Mont American singles championship on Saturday.
National Championship: D-East Showdown
Downingtown East Stars Clash in Ches-Mont National Singles Final The Ches-Mont National singles championship final at West Chester Henderson High School featured an exciting all-Downingtown East showdown on Friday.
The Cougars’ top two singles players faced off: sophomore Mahi Patel, the No. 1 seed, against second-seeded Brianna Litvan. In a dynamic match, Litvan claimed the title with a score of 6-0, 6-4.
Patel, who secured third place in last year’s tournament, battled her way to the final by defeating Bishop Shanahan’s Ella Matulewicz in a challenging semifinal that went to three sets, finishing 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Matulewicz’s coach, Jamie Breen, spoke highly of her abilities, stating, “Ella brings a great attitude to the court and has the skills to compete with anyone. She moves fluidly and has powerful groundstrokes.”
The Cougars came into the championship with a strong record of 12-1, their only loss being to Lower Merion. Patel had one defeat in her first singles match, while Litvan remained undefeated at second singles.
Downingtown East head coach Lisa Sheldon emphasized the strengths of both competitors, saying, “Brianna and Mahi each possess exceptional all-court games. Brianna, a fierce ninth grader, showcases competitive experience beyond her years. Her dynamic playing style reveals remarkable composure. Off the court, she brings humor and energy to the team. Mahi’s elegant technique is highlighted by her powerful shots and tactical variety. Her performance in the semifinal truly displayed her determination and resilience.”
With this victory, Litvan establishes herself as a formidable force in the Downingtown East tennis program, promising exciting matches ahead.
American Championship: Zhang Dominates in Final
On Saturday, the Ches-Mont American championship final at West Chester Rustin High School showcased a thrilling match between the tournament’s top seed from Unionville, Sophie Zhang, and Rustin senior Jayda Lila. Lila had fought her way to the final after an intense semifinal against Kennett junior Anais Ritz, overcoming a tough start to win 2-6, 6-1, 7-5. However, in the championship match, Zhang demonstrated her dominance, securing a decisive victory with scores of 6-1, 6-0.
Zhang’s impressive journey to the Ches-Mont American singles title included four straight-set victories, with her semifinal win against Great Valley sophomore Sahasra Nersu ending 6-3, 6-2. Reflecting on her performance, Zhang noted, “I believe my best match was in the semifinals. Nersu’s style was different from what I’ve faced this season, making it challenging to stay mentally focused. I had to really push myself to maintain my consistency and play to my strengths.”
For Lila, this marked her first trip to the district singles competition. Her semifinal comeback against Ritz was a testament to her resilience; she was down 4-3 in the final set before rallying to win 7-5.
Rustin’s girls’ tennis coach, Billy McElroy, praised Lila’s mental toughness, stating, “Despite losing the first set, Jayda didn’t let it affect her. She showed great determination, and I knew she would bring her best effort in the second set. Her first serve and forehand are particularly strong.”
In the third-place match, Ritz triumphed over her opponent with a score of 7-6 (7-2), 6-1, earning her spot in the District 1 3A singles tournament. Earlier in the competition, she had eliminated the No. 2 seed, Anna Xiao from Great Valley, with a thrilling 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 victory. This win was especially gratifying for Ritz, who missed last year’s Ches-Mont singles tournament due to a brief illness.
