AJ Sports

October 21, 2009

Cognetti, Messett lead Prep through Districts

By Tom Robinson
Go Lackawanna sports correspondent

WILKES-BARRE – Anne Cognetti made her usual contribution from the top of the lineup while fellow senior Emily Messett made the most of increased playing time late in the season.

Cognetti and Messett led the way as Scranton Prep claimed the District 2 Class AA team tennis championship.

Cognetti, the undefeated district singles champion, was the only Classics player to win during both the semifinals and finals Thursday at Kirby Park.

Messett, who played in less than half the regular-season matches, combined with sophomore Mara Silvon to produce the most important point, winning the first doubles match after all others were completing to give Scranton Prep a 3-2 victory over Wyoming Seminary in the championship match.

“We realized we had to come back,” Silvon said of the 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, victory over Sheena Syal-Emma Spajh. “As soon as we started winning some games, we knew we just had to keep it going.”

After beating Valley View, 3-0, in the semifinals to avenge an upset loss in the same round a year ago, Scranton Prep won the battle of unbeatens in the final.

Messett took over at the net after the Scranton Prep team lost the first set.

“I like playing at the net,” Messett said. “It’s the best part of my game. I try to be real aggressive.

“Sheena is a real hard hitter, but I think I play better at the net when someone is hitting it hard.”

The win allowed Messett to overcome the disappointment of last year’s playoff loss.

“Last year, I was in number-two doubles against Valley View,” Messett said. “It came down to us and we didn’t pull through.”

Cognetti and the second doubles team of Anna Walsh-Caroline Comeford won the first two matches finished to give Scranton Prep a 2-0 lead in the final.Wyoming Seminary won the next two points to be decided.

Cognetti, Emily Walsh and Kendra Croker swept the singles matches in the semifinal win over Valley View. The doubles matches were halted before they were decided.Scranton Prep will play the District 4 runner-up in the first round of the state tournament on Oct. 27.

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