Submitted Photo Warren’s girls tennis team — the D10 runner-up — includes, from left, in front, Ella Card, Maddy McDunn, Winnie Wolf, Izzy Heacox, Sarah Harvey, Anna Courson, Alannah Garza, and Grace Carr and, in back, coach Thomas Pellegrino, coach Mike Kiehl, Iris Kiehl, Lucy Harrison, Mary Gerace, Natasha Ferry, and coach Norm Dziendzel.

ERIE — In a rematch of last year’s District 10 2A championship, Warren fell again to Cathedral Prep, 5-0, on Thursday at Westwood Racquet Club.

“The difference, though, from last year was the level of play,” said Warren coach Thomas Pellegrino. “Generally, when Warren or other teams play Prep, the match is over before it even begins. They haven’t lost a D10 AA match in eight years now and are an absolute powerhouse, but today the girls laid it all on the line and gave them a challenge, going three sets in multiple matches.”

At first singles, Iris Kiehl lost to three-time D10 singles champion Anna Poranski, 1-6, 2-6.

At second singles, Mary Gerace lost to Finleigh Handzel, 3-6, 2-6.

At third singles, Lucy Harrison lost to Paige Patsy, 7-5 0-6 0-6.

“This is now the fifth time these two have played this season with both capturing wins throughout the year,” said Pellegrino. “Lucy really put every ounce of energy she had into winning that first set. And, although she was unable to capture the next two, that set alone was enough to escalate play across all the Warren courts.”

In first doubles, Izzy Heacox and Natasha Ferry were defeated by Sophia Glance and Margaret Prichard, 3-6, 3-6.

At second doubles, Grace Carr and Alannah Garza were defeated by Lilly Beuchart and Sophia Falvo, 2-6, 6-4, 2-6.

“Alannah and Grace played some great doubles today, trying out multiple formations and styles to try and do anything they could to break the rhythm of Prep and, sure enough, it worked as they were down a set and down 2-4 in the second before storming back and winning the next four games, capturing the second set, 6-4,” said Pellegrino. “The third was a back-and-forth battle with some great play, but Prep was able to key in on the game points.

“Every single one of these girls escalated their level of play today,” he said. “Every match was competitive and was just high-quality tennis. For a tennis team from little Warren County, with a squad of girls picking up the racquet at 15, I think we’re doing pretty damn well. … This is Cathedral Prep’s eighth consecutive D10 title and is now the 20th year in a row a private school has won the D10 AA title. At the end of the day, we could not be more proud of this team and the amazing season we just had.

Pellegrino added: “The girls may be upset now, but looking back at where this program was years ago is amazing. These girls have not only provided the winningest season in the last 20 years, but more importantly have built a winning culture that we plan to keep for years to come.

“If you look back at our fall preview, we had some pretty hefty goals, and this squad put in the work and not only hit those goals, but exceeded them,” added Pellegrino. “The girls now end their season at 13-4 and as back-to-back D10 runner-ups. Although our girls aren’t the ones holding that D10 trophy, they are the true champions in our book, and are the best girls tennis team to come through the Warren program.”