PUMPED UP: Princeton Day School girls’ tennis players, Emma Dries, right, and Guilia Gerschel celebrate a point last week at the Mercer County Tournament. The second doubles pair of Dries and Gerschel ended up winning the title in their flight at the MCT, helping PDS take second of 18 schools in the team standings at the event.

By Bill Alden

Consistent serves and solid groundstrokes helped the Princeton Day School girls’ tennis second doubles team of Guilia Gerschel and Emma Dries reach the finals of the Mercer County Tournament last Wednesday.

But it was expressing their emotions on the court that ultimately sparked them to a title in their flight.

“We lost our momentum in the second set of the semis and we realized, although it may be loud and obnoxious, screaming and getting ourselves pumped would help us,” said junior Gerschel, reflecting on the team’s 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 win over Sora Sato and Adriana Todorova of Princeton High in the semis.

Mixing in chest bumps with yelps after winning critical points, the PDS pair pulled out a 7-5, 7-5 win over Hightstown’s Sreya Kilambi and Morgan Koppel in the final, helping the Panthers to take second in the team standings at the event which was held at the Mercer County Park tennis complex.

In Gerschel’s view, the team has gotten in synch after having played together since last fall.

“Last year, we lost in the quarterfinals here,” said Gerschel. “Our dynamic this year is a lot better, we can read each other.”

Dries, for her part, sensed that the two had reached a deeper understanding on the court this fall.

“We have been playing for the past two years and I think we have clicked,” said senior Dries, who also stars for the PDS girls’ lacrosse team.

“We have learned to work with each other, she is amazing. It motivated us to keep going with the play and keep pushing through.”

In assessing their playing styles, Dries credited Gerschel with providing firepower at the net.

“Guilia is my rock in terms of volleys,” said Dries. “I keep it in play and help set her up. She wins the points.”

Gerschel cited Dries’ steady play as a key ingredient in the team’s success.

“I think Emma really kept me going; she doesn’t really get frustrated much,” said Gerschel. “Emma is really consistent. I sometimes take risks. We even ourselves out.”

PDS head coach Ed Tseng believes that the team of Dries and Gerschel has grown into something special.

“It is always nice to play with the same person as much as you can; you get to know what they are
going to do in certain situations,” said Tseng. “What they have in common is that they like to win and they get excited.”

The excitable twosome is now focused on winning the state Prep B title in their event.

“We just beat people we didn’t think we could really beat,” said Gerschel. “I am excited; we have a good chance in Prep Bs. We just have to stay on top of our game.”

Dries shares Gerschel’s sense of confidence. “For Prep Bs, we are going to stay focused, motivated, and keep it up,” added Dries.