The Western Reserve Academy Girls Varsity Tennis team opened its 2025 season in impressive fashion, defeating Cathedral Prep 4-1 on Wednesday, August 27, at the Salata Tennis Center in Erie, PA.

WRA got off to a strong start at #1 Doubles, where Lela Yajnik '27 and Sasha Hillard '29 battled through a tight opening set before pulling away for a 7-5, 6-1 win over Prep's Eliza Kalner and Katie Kuhar.

The Pioneers extended their lead behind Denisse Jimenez Robles '26, who delivered a convincing 6-3, 6-1 victory at #1 Singles against Paige Patsy. Rithi Hegde '29 then secured the match for Reserve, earning a 6-3, 6-3 win at #2 Singles over Finleigh Handzel.

At #3 Singles, Sia Mahesh '27 added to the momentum with a gritty 6-2, 7-5 triumph against Ella Fetzner, giving WRA a commanding 4-0 advantage.

Cathedral Prep got on the board at #2 Doubles, where Elle Hutchinson and Lydia Beuchert edged Riya Patel '26 and Nadia Kischke '26 in a three-set battle, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

In exhibition action, Prep's Rory Brugger and Ellen Hutchinson outlasted Lauren Keller '27 and Carina Tang '28 in a dramatic match tiebreaker, 7-5, 1-6, 1-0 (12-10).

Box Score
Western Reserve Academy 4, Cathedral Prep 1 Salata Tennis Center – Erie, PA | August 27, 2025

Singles
1S – Denisse Jimenez Robles (WRA) def. Paige Patsy (CP) 6-3, 6-1
2S – Rithi Hegde (WRA) def. Finleigh Handzel (CP) 6-3, 6-3
3S – Sia Mahesh (WRA) def. Ella Fetzner (CP) 6-2, 7-5

Doubles
1D – Lela Yajnik / Sasha Hillard (WRA) def. Eliza Kalner / Katie Kuhar (CP) 7-5, 6-1
2D – Elle Hutchinson / Lydia Beuchert (CP) def. Riya Patel / Nadia Kischke (WRA) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
Exhibition – Rory Brugger / Ellen Hutchinson (CP) def. Lauren Keller / Carina Tang (WRA) 7-5, 1-6, 1-0 (12-10)

Order of Finish: 1D, 1S, 2S, 3S, 2D
Time of Match: 2:32
Attendance: 45