By Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
WILKES-BARRE – Ilana Rosenthal’s Wyoming Valley Conference girls tennis career is off to a perfect start.
The freshman not only helped Wyoming Seminary repeat as champion during her first high school season, but she did so by preventing any WVC opponent from even winning a game against her.
Rosenthal won 6-0, 6-0 at first singles Oct. 6 at Hazleton Area when the Blue Knights completed a 12-0 season in the WVC and a 13-0 regular season, wrapping up a conference championship after earlier clinching at least a tie for first place.
Hazleton Area became just the third WVC team this season to score a team point against Wyoming Seminary, but Rosenthal remained untouchable. The 6-0, 6-0 win was her 12th straight by that score in conference play, most of which was done at No. 1 singles after moving up from the second spot early in the season.
For her effort, Rosenthal is the Center City Print District 2 Athlete of the Week for the period of Oct. 4-10.
Teammates, opponents and others in the tennis community were well aware of Rosenthal’s capabilities before the experienced tournament player arrived in scholastic competition and and she did not disappoint.
“I’ve been playing tennis for about nine years,” Rosenthal said. “I’ve always loved it. I started playing tournaments when I was really little, so outside high school, I play a lot tournaments.
“That’s really fun. I love the game.”
And, she excels at it.
This fall was the first time Rosenthal has been part of a team format and, since the time of her award-winning effort, the Blue Knights have added a District 2 championship for entry into the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament on the Class 2A level.
“I love my teammates,” said Rosenthal, whose training in recent years has been at the TK Tennis Academy in Kingston. “They’re all so supportive. My teammates and my coaches have helped us get through the season.
“It was real exciting. We’ve all as a team worked really hard this season with our training and we earned it.”
The Blue Knights were not far into the season when Rosenthal’s role in the upcoming success was clear.
“We have such an early season,” Blue Knights coach Raphael Cooper said. “With COVID and everything, we were not able to get a lot of early practices in. You mix in rain and things like that.
“Tennis is just like, ‘let’s go’. You don’t have enough time to analyze or even have those challenges when you’re going through drills and building camaraderie. We were figuring our team out.”
Before long, there was no denying that, as Cooper said, “we’re just stacked.” And, there was no holding back the freshman, who started the season in the No. 2 singles position.
Ella Krypel, a junior who had reached the district singles final last year, understood yielding the top spot on the team.
“I’ve known she’s been coming for three years and I’ve been expecting the best from her and expecting a stronger team because of her, so I’m really happy she came here,” Krypel said of Rosenthal, who came up through Wyoming Seminary’s Lower School.
Rosenthal continues to work on her game with the state team tournament and district singles play approaching. She said she currently feels most confident in her forehand, but likes the progress she has made on her one-hand, backhand shots.
Ilana is the daughter of Stephen and Adina Rosenthal of Kingston.
CENTER CITY PRINT DISTRICT 2 ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Sept. 27-Oct. 3: Logan Paczewski, Dallas boys golf. https://nepasportsnation.com/paczewskis-eagle-launched-rally/.
Sept. 20-26: Emma Watchilla, Wyoming Seminary field hockey. https://nepasportsnation.com/virginia-commit-has-sem-rolling/.
Sept. 13-19: Krista Jones, Elk Lake girls cross country. https://nepasportsnation.com/jones-runs-alternate-paths-to-success/.
Sept. 6-12: Ron Prislupski, Holy Cross boys soccer. https://nepasportsnation.com/prislupski-doubles-up-on-hat-tricks/.
Aug. 30-Sept. 5: London Montgomery, Scranton Prep football. https://nepasportsnation.com/montgomery-sprints-to-award/.
Aug. 19-29: Chloe Sipe, Elk Lake girls golf. https://nepasportsnation.com/preparation-paid-off-for-sipe/.
CENTER CITY PRINT DISTRICT 2 ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Sept. 27-Oct. 3: https://nepasportsnation.com/paczewskis-eagle-launched-rally/.
Sept. 20-26: Emma Watchilla, Wyoming Seminary field hockey. https://nepasportsnation.com/virginia-commit-has-sem-rolling/.
Sept. 13-19: Krista Jones, Elk Lake girls cross country. https://nepasportsnation.com/jones-runs-alternate-paths-to-success/.
Sept. 6-12: Ron Prislupski, Holy Cross boys soccer. https://nepasportsnation.com/prislupski-doubles-up-on-hat-tricks/.
Aug. 30-Sept. 5: London Montgomery, Scranton Prep football. https://nepasportsnation.com/montgomery-sprints-to-award/.
Aug. 19-29: Chloe Sipe, Elk Lake girls golf. https://nepasportsnation.com/preparation-paid-off-for-sipe/.
OTHER WEEKLY HONOREES
Honor Roll: https://nepasportsnation.com/district-2-honor-roll-7/.
Key Contributors: https://nepasportsnation.com/key-contributors-7/.
