Wednesday evening ended up being the perfect setting for the WRA Girls Varsity tennis team as they closed out their fall season at home against Cathedral Prep (Erie, PA). The Pioneers, who entered the contest at #63 in the National Universal Tennis Rating list, enjoyed strong play across the entire lineup and posted a 5-0 win to finish the fall campaign at 16-2. The win was the Pios 52nd in the last 57 contests dating back to the fall of 2023.

WRA's Catie Cunningham '29 set the tone early with a terrific 6-0, 6-0 win over the Ramblers' Ella Fetzner at #2 Singles. Cunningham jumped out to a quick lead and played a very strong match to notch her 18th win of the season. Reserve's #2 Doubles team of Bella Arakaki '28 and Sasha Hillard '29 soon followed with a strong 6-0, 6-1 win over CP's Lydia Howard and Addie Blakely. The win was Arakaki's 18'th of the year and was Hillard's 41st career win in her first two years at WRA. WRA paired the two senior co-captains together at #1 Doubles. Sia Mahesh '27 and Lela Yajnik ended their fall season careers on a high note, turning in a 6-1, 6-1 match-clinching victory against Prep's Elizabeth and Ellen Hutchinson. With the win, Yajnik moves to 69 career wins while Mahesh checks in at 59 victories in her career – placing them first and second, respectively in career wins at WRA. The remaining singles matches both went to match tiebreakers. At #1 Singles, Pio star Rithi Hegde '29 continued her strong play this season with a tough 6-2, 1-6, 10-4 win over CP's star player Paige Patsy. The win was Hegde's 33rd of her career. Pio freshman Dorothy Mendelson '30 finished the sweep with a come-from-behind win at #3 Singles over the Ramblers' Lydia Beuchert 2-6, 6-2, 10-5, giving her 16 wins in her first season.

The Girls Tennis program has enjoyed continued growth in numbers and play levels and the future looks bright.

Box Score:
WRA 5, Cathedral Prep (Erie PA) 0
At Western Reserve Academy
Hudson, OH
Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Singles:
1S Rithi Hegde (WRA) d Paige Patsy (CP) 6-2, 1-6, 10-4
2S Catie Cunningham (WRA) d Ella Fetzner (CP) 6-0, 6-0
3S Dorothy Mendelson (WRA) d Lydia Beuchert (CP) 2-6, 6-2, 10-5

Doubles:
1D Sia Mahesh/Lela Yajnik (WRA) d Elizabeth Hutchinson/Ellen Hutchinson (CP) 6-1, 6-1
2D Bella Arakaki/Sasha Hillard (WRA) d Lydia Howard/Addie Blakely (CP) 6-0, 6-1

Time of match: 1:30
Order of Finish: 2S, 2D, 1D*, 1S, 3S
*Clinching Point
Attendance: 38