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Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week

3 min read
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Name: Anna Komer

School: Peters Township

Class: Freshman

Sport: Tennis

Komer’s week: The No. 1 singles player for Peters Township, Komer navigated her way through the Section 5-AAA singles tournament, which earned her the eighth seed for Wednesday’s WPIAL individual tournament and a first-round match against Ananya Dua of Shady Side Academy at Norwin High School.

Komer’s first title at the high school level wasn’t easy. She needed three sets to best Ringgold freshman Olivia Warner in the semifinals (3-6, 6-0, 6-2) and it took three more sets to defeat Bethel Park’s Nina Barbano in the finals (4-6, 6-2, 6-4).

“It was really challenging,” Komer said. “When I lost the first set in those matches, I said to myself, ‘I’ve beaten these girls before. I know I can do it again.'”

All in the family: Komer’s oldest sister, Vida, was a key member of two PIAA championships tennis teams at Peters Township.

Another sister, Sara, was the Indians’ top singles player last year in addition to being a two-time state doubles champion. Sara Komer, however, elected to play volleyball for Peters Township this fall while focusing on the USTA circuit for tennis. Anna Komer plays on that circuit too, and the freshman is ranked No. 6 in Pennsylvania in the Class of 2017 by tennisrecruiting.net thanks to her play on the junior circuit.

While both sisters win with regularity away from the high school courts, they do so with different styles. At 5-8, Anna is four inches shorter than Sara.

But their on-court abilities are closer than their respective heights.

“It’s been great to have her push me,” said Anna, who believes she and Sara played to a 5-5 draw in their last singles match. “She’s stronger and hits the ball harder, but I do thank her for helping me be as good as I am.”

Showcasing depth: It’s nothing new for players from Peters Township to take a break from high school tennis to play the USTA circuit, which is where college coaches direct their focus.

It offers Indians coach Brandt Bowman, who has coached Peters Township to four PIAA team titles since 2006, an opportunity to let others compete for prized spots in the Indians lineup. Chloe Grzyb and Carlye Campagna play singles. In doubles, Jenn Holcombe and Megan Hixon form one team, while Jenn Stroyne and Morgan Parisi comprise the other.

Komer earned her place atop Peters Township’s rankings after she went undefeated in 12 matches of round-robin play before the season started and followed with a victory over Grzyb to solidify herself at No. 1 singles.

“Anna has good feet, moves well and she plays aggressive,” Bowman said. “I really like that she can change her game during a match. She did that in both three-setters (in the section tournament), and that says a lot about a freshman to be able to stay focused in those situations.”

Compiled by Mike Kovak

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