Borrowing a phrase from one of Sly & the Family Stone’s big hits, it appears the 2025 season was a “family affair” for the Quaker Valley girls tennis team.
“The season was all we hoped it would be and more,” said Christi Hays, QV’s hall-of-fame coach. “It was a truly special season — entertaining, exciting, excruciating at times, but so very special. This is one of the nicest and most talented teams we’ve ever had. The girls got along so well and supported each other.
“We always have a blueprint for a season: section, WPIAL team, WPIAL individual, PIAA and Hershey. We went into this season with high hopes based on how well we competed in 2024. We finished No. 4 in the state (in ‘24), but we lost some talented seniors in Kirsten Close and Jay Olawaiye.”
Quaker Valley won the WPIAL Class 2A team championship this season and finished with a 14-2 record.
“I am beyond thankful to have had the opportunity of playing tennis for Quaker Valley,” said senior Livia Robbins, a leading singles player. “It is such an awesome team; I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. Our moments together as a team felt like family, truly an unforgettable experience.”
The Quakers swept through Section 5-2A undefeated at 6-0 to claim their third consecutive section crown, compiled a 9-1 regular-season record with the only loss coming to Class 3A North Hills, earned their second MAC tournament team title in a row, ran the table in the district playoffs and ended up in the final four in the PIAA tournament.
“Going into the season, our expectations were off the charts,” Hays said. “We were all giddy with anticipation. I was so excited to get back to business and the challenge of ‘coaching the girls up.’ I am exceedingly proud of this team, not only for their efforts on the court but also how well they blended as a team and supported each other. This can’t always be said, but there was little or no drama this season.
“And just like the Steelers, the QV tennis family always travels well and this year more than ever. We always had a good group of spectators at our matches: siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and great grandparents. Two of my sisters surprised me and came to all the playoff matches, even making the trip to Hershey. The girls and I enjoyed the company, the enthusiastic support and have especially enjoyed getting to know all our fans better.”
QV defeated Mt. Pleasant, 4-1, Oakland Catholic, 3-2, and North Catholic, 3-2, in the WPIAL playoffs then District 9 champ Elk County Catholic, 5-0, and District 3 runner-up Wyomissing, 3-2, in the PIAA tournament before suffering a 3-1 loss to defending state champion Lower Moreland in the semifinal round.
“Our first order of business is always to win our section,” Hays said. “We were hoping to pick up a three-peat. We knew it would be a challenge because we had Sewickley Academy still in our section. But we defeated SA and went on to be undefeated in section play.
“Next on our blueprint was the WPIAL team tourney. We went in as the No. 1 seed with North Catholic as No. 2 even though we had lost to them in 2024 in a heartbreaking final. We easily advanced through the draw and earned a trip to Washington and Jefferson College for the finals — and the much-anticipated rematch with North Catholic.”
QV and NC found themselves tied late in the match.
“And what a match,” Hays said. “This final was very compelling. What a finish. With the score tied 2-2 based on solid wins by Avery Allan and the ‘wonder kids,’ Lily McClain and Lucy John, in second doubles, it came down to our first doubles team of Jane Lenhard and Kate Miller.
“Jane and Kate were usually so reliable, but they struggled early and lost the first set. They pulled out the next two sets in convincing fashion and with it the 2025 WPIAL team championship. Boy, did it feel great to put the memory of 2024 behind us.”
“I’m so incredibly proud of the team’s run this year and with how hard everyone worked to get there,” Lenhard said. “It was difficult to lose (to Lower Moreland), but I’m so happy to have been able to help lead the team to third place in the state championships.”
The win against North Catholic sent the QV girls into the PIAA tournament with a new sense of urgency.
“Our goal was to make it a to Hershey. It was a business trip,” Hays said. “We took care of business against Elk County Catholic at Glen Creek and looked forward to packing our bags for a fun trip to Hershey.
“The ladies were all business against Wyomissing. So, we were on to the final four. It was pretty remarkable that District 7 had two teams reach the PIAA final four. And even though it was a business trip, we still managed to have some fun at Chocolate World one afternoon.”
QV’s opponent in the PIAA semifinals, Lower Moreland, defeated the Quakers and ended up repeating as state champion.
“We finally ran into a team that we just didn’t have an answer for,” Hays said. “Jane and Kate won their doubles match handily. Lily and Lucy won their first set and were on the way to a victory, but the officials suspended the match because Lower Moreland had secured three points and the win. That still earned us the No. 3 ranking in the state.
“There is a great J.J. Watt quote that goes, ‘Success is not owned. It is leased, and the rent is due every day.’ Well, the QV girls tennis team certainly paid its rent in 2025. I could not be prouder; it was a phenomenal season.”
The Quakers’ starting lineup consisted of Allan, one of the top sophomore players in the state, Jobbins and freshman Grace Jadlowiec at the singles positions. Lenhard, a senior, and Miller, a sophomore, along with McClain and John, both freshmen, are at first and second doubles, respectively.
Parker Barnes, a senior, and junior Noor Ashfaq also competed at No. 2 doubles; junior Hanna Stein competed in mostly singles matches.
Allan finished with a 13-2 record after going 16-1 in 2024. Lenhard and Miller racked up 15-0 and 14-0 records, while the McClain/John tandem was 12-0 and Barnes ended up with five wins without a loss.
“I am just very proud of my teammates for being amazing and respectful players,” Barnes said. “I know and hope that they continue to be amazing. It’s rare to have this much talent on a team.”
Jobbins, Lenhard and Barnes were named tri-captains for the 2025 season.
“So we were in good hands,” Hays said. “We also had the tremendous support of our fans, our invaluable JV coach Annette Knott, other students, siblings, parents, grandparents and the community.
“And one more thought. We’d like to thank our bus driver Mae from Monark (Student Transportation). She was our good luck charm, driving when we won the MAC tournament and at WPIALs, and she also drove us to Hershey.”
Finally, Jobbins offered plaudits to Hays and Knott.
“I would like to thank both of our coaches for making this all possible,” she said.