Pleasant Valley’s Wagner met challenges head-on

Pleasant Valley senior Riley Wagner received some troubling news near the completion of the summer.

After a discussion with her family, her twin — and more importantly — her doubles partner for the last three years, opted not to play her senior season of tennis.

Riley took the news from her sister Alyssa in stride, and had some decision making of her own to do. The pair had developed years of partnership on the court and that was no longer going to be there for Riley.

But after some soul searching, she decided to take on the challenges that awaited her — and did so impressively.

PV head coach Mark Allison was aware of the task that faced Riley — who played as a junior at No. 2 singles behind Alyssa. Riley, however, might not have.

The three-sport athlete jumped into the unknown with vigor, and faced the difficult job of moving up a spot. She did so with optimism and her best assets — a competitive nature and a drive to succeed.

For her efforts, Wagner has been named the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Girls Tennis Player of the Year.

“That adaptation, to play No. 1 instead of playing No. 2, you’re now playing against the best of every team you face,” Allison said. “In the Lehigh Valley, those teams are very competitive ... and Riley handled the change well, she really did.”

The Bears usually face the Allentown-based schools near the beginning of the season, and then see the Monroe County schools near the end of their schedule.

“We get those Lehigh Valley teams early in the season, and before we even play anybody up in our area, we have six or seven matches against those teams, and it was a little bit rough in the beginning,” Riley said. “I started out this season like 0-5, so it was a lot different. Also, everyone else on my team was winning, and I was the only one losing against some of those teams early on.”

But once her competitive nature began to kick in, Wagner figured things out.

“Going from playing at No. 2 last year, where I would be playing against girls that I knew I could beat, I had to go to the No. 1 position, where almost every team’s girl plays tennis as her main sport and plays all year-round,” said Riley. “Playing against the better players made me better, though. So losing just pushed me more to get better.”

Coach Allison echoed that assessment.

“It was a little bit rough in the early going, but it was making her a better player, and she got better and better as the season progressed,” he said. “She ended up with a 9-8 record, which is great at the No. 1 position, playing the competition she played against.

“She’s a hustler and a great athlete, moving around the court very, very well. She improved so much from last year to this year. Her groundstrokes and serve got better, and she handled it really well.”

When the adversity arose, Riley made the most of it. Without the competition of a friend — let alone a sibling — on the team, the sport becomes a little different.

However, Riley’s inner drive not only improved her technique, but also bettered her leadership skills and relationships on the squad.

“I was concerned without having Alyssa there, how she would handle being our No. 1 and being a leader,” Allison said. “But she took on that responsibility and handled it so well. I was very pleased with how she adapted and handled it. She’s just a great kid to work with, and she will be missed.”

Upon thanking people who allowed her the opportunity to win this award, Riley immediately recalled Masani and Najja Francis, who were playing tennis for the Bears when she began playing at the varsity level.

“They were my best friends, and they were a huge part in (our) careers, because other than coach Allison and coach Ammermann, they taught me practically everything I know in tennis,” Riley said.

“They would go to the courts with me in the summer and hit with me and teach me different shots, so I don’t think I’d be where I am now without them. I’d also like to thank my sister, my coaches and my parents for being there for me and doing all the things they did for me over the years.”

As the season came to a close, there were several wins on Riley’s list of accomplishments that jumped out. Notable victories over the top players from Liberty and Emmaus had a certain shine to them, but there was one that stuck out the most.

“I’ll remember beating the Bangor player the most,” Riley said. “We went to a third set and honestly, it was one of the best matches that I’ve ever played in. The girl I played against was practically another me, and we were essentially the same tennis player, so it was really fun to play against her.”

After some more probing, the real reason for the memorable moment emerged.

“Also, I was the only player from our team to win that day,” she said.