Results

Langhorne, PA - Rebecca Graber outlasted Kean's Naylah Hilton 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday night for her 33rd career victory in singles play. The win breaks a tie atop the Cairn women's tennis singles victory list that Graber now holds alone. Only half-way through her junior season, Graber has plenty of time to continue writing her legacy into the record before finishing her career in Langhorne.
 
Outside of Graber's individual accomplishments, the Highlanders fell to the visiting Kean Cougars 6-3 on the evening. Cairn went 2-1 in the doubles portion of the evening but the Cougars rallied to go 5-1 in the singles competition to down the Highlanders by the 6-3 final.
 
Graber picked up the lone Cairn victory in singles play. Maya Neal fought hard in the number three singles match, winning five games in the process, but fell 6-3, 6-2.
 
In doubles play, the team of Graber and Bianca Birney teamed up and dominated the top match by an 8-0 final. In number three doubles, Kara Williams and Maya Neal teamed up to take their match 8-5.
 
Despite the team loss, the individual victory for Graber highlighted the evening. The win for Graber was her ninth of the season against a single loss in the season opener. The nine wins this season, along with the 24 she accumulated between her freshman and sophomore campaigns give her 33 career victories, one more than Katelynn Wilson ('12).
 
"I didn't actually know until about a week ago, I wasn't paying attention to the stats," said Graber after her record breaking victory. "It's definitely an accomplishment and I think most of it is just going out there and trying to be mentally tough every match."
 
"I usually try not to be too emotional on the court because I don't want to give my opponent any advantage. I've played against so many great players, but I feel like when I do win it's because I'm trying to be the tougher player and outlast them in the match."
 
Graber definitely had to grind her way through a tough opponent in Naylah Hilton, who featured a big serve, but it was Graber's attitude and mindset that helped to carry her to the victory tonight. Just as it has the 32 times before in a Cairn uniform.

"I like the felling of coming off the court knowing that I gave 100-percent. If I don't do that, it's just the worst feeling as an athlete. When I do give 100-percent and come out on top, it definitely makes a hard match like the one tonight worth it."
 
Graber and the Highlanders will host Marywood on Saturday afternoon, as they look for an important CSAC victory. The match is slated to begin at 12:00 p.m.