Penn-Trafford’s Mia Williams wins 3rd section title, sets sights on WPIAL, PIAA goals
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Sunday, September 15, 2024 | 11:01 AM
Penn-Trafford junior Mia Williams balances her racket during a section singles match Sept. 11, 2024 at Murrysville.
Penn-Trafford junior Mia Williams has fun flipping her racket during a section singles match Sept. 11, 2024 at Murrysville.
Penn-Trafford junior Mia Williams returns a shot during a section singles match Sept. 11, 2024 at Murrysville.
Penn-Trafford’s Elle LeJuene hits a serve at section singles Sept. 11, 2024 at Murrysville.
Penn-Trafford junior Mia Williams hits a serve during a section singles match Sept. 11, 2024 at Murrysville.
Penn-Trafford junior Mia Williams rolled to her third consecutive WPIAL Section 1-3A title on Sept. 12.
Now she’s eyeing a shot at her second WPIAL title, which she won in 2022. She finished second in the WPIAL in 2023 and has yet to place at the PIAA tournament in Hershey.
She hopes that changes next month.
Williams did not look at the WPIAL championships as a chance for revenge. She just hopes what she worked on during the summer makes her a better player.
“I went and worked on some technique stuff and played a lot of tennis that I needed to work on, like my serve, my forehand and just a lot of reps,” Williams said. “That is the biggest thing, a lot of reps.”
She lost to Shady Side Academy sophomore Meriwether McCargo, 7-6 (1), 6-1, last year. They haven’t met since.
“I didn’t want to lose, but I think everybody needs to lose a big match once in a while,” Williams said. “It taught me how much I really love to win. I am not thinking of this as a revenge year. I’m just going to go out there and to do my best.
“I know the expectations are for me is to win, but I’m not the defending champ anymore. I’m just going to go out there and see what happens.”
While Williams isn’t putting pressure on herself, her coach Megan Satira says she sees a different player.
“I think she’s trying to have more fun while she’s playing,” Satira said. “She’s the hardest working person. I know no one who works harder than Mia. She is locked in this year. She is playing really well, but she’s also having fun.”
Williams has a strong power game. Most times she overpowers her opponents.
“Her power game is her strong point,” Satira said. “I don’t think she’ll have problems with finesse players
“I know she’s looking forward to the WPIALs. She is going to win and then make a run in states.”
Williams said she felt she put too much pressure on herself in last year’s tournament.
“There is less pressure on me,” Williams said. “Nobody is expecting me to win. There is less outside pressure on me. My goal is to get past the quarterfinals and place in the states. It’s just another hurdle for me.”
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
Tags: Penn-Trafford
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