After suffering their first setback of the season against Pennsylvania powerhouse Shady Side Academy, the WRA Girls Varsity Tennis Team responded in championship fashion on Monday night, earning a decisive 4–1 road victory over #5 state-ranked Jackson. The win marked WRA's 17th in 18 matches this year and their 36th in their last 39 outings over the past three seasons.
The highly anticipated matchup between two of Ohio's top programs drew nearly 60 spectators to North Jackson Park, where they were treated to more than two hours of top-tier tennis.
The Pioneers wasted no time taking control, securing the first two points behind strong performances from freshman standout Rithi Hegde '29 and junior co-captain Sia Mahesh '27. Hegde defeated Jackson's Laila Tadayon 6–3, 6–0, while Mahesh came back from a 2–3 deficit in the opening set to win 6–3, 6–0 over Avery O'Byrne.
Jackson's top doubles duo of Halle Smith and Ashley Helle earned the Polar Bears their lone point with a 6–3, 6–3 victory over junior co-captain Lela Yajnik '27 and freshman Sasha Hillard '29—just the second loss of the season for the WRA pair.
With the match hanging in the balance, senior co-captain Denisse Jimenez '26 sealed the team win at #1 singles, outlasting Jackson freshman star Claire Williams 6–2, 7–6(2) in a tense, high-quality battle. The Pioneers then added an exclamation point as Riya Patel '26 and Carina Tang '28 rallied from a set down to defeat Grace Kargel and Laurel Balcom 3–6, 6–3, 6–2 at #2 doubles.
The victory capped an outstanding fall campaign for the Pioneers, who finish 17–1 overall, reinforcing their status as one of Ohio's premier girls' tennis programs.
Final Score: Western Reserve Academy 4 – Massillon Jackson 1
Location: Jackson North Park, Massillon, OH
Date: October 6, 2025
Time of Match: 2:08
Attendance: 57
Singles
1S — Denisse Jimenez Robles (WRA) def. Claire Williams (J) 6–2, 7–6(2)
2S — Rithi Hegde (WRA) def. Laila Tadayon (J) 6–3, 6–0
3S — Sia Mahesh (WRA) def. Avery O'Byrne (J) 6–3, 6–0
Doubles
1D — Ashley Helle / Halle Smith (J) def. Lela Yajnik / Sasha Hillard (WRA) 6–3, 6–3
2D — Riya Patel / Carina Tang (WRA) def. Grace Kargel / Laurel Balcom (J) 3–6, 6–3, 6–2
Order of Finish: 2S, 3S, 1D, 1S*, 2D
Clinching Point
