Bethel Park netter finishes runner-up in the WPIAL
There’s never a dull, nor free, moment in Cami Fisher’s life and the Bethel Park High School senior would have it no other way.
“I’m in a lot of things and I kind of stretch myself out too thin a few times here and there,” she admitted. “It’s all fun to me though.
“You’re only in high school once,” she continued to explain. “So, you might as well do everything you can.”
Fisher certainly does everything.
She is president of the senior class as well as student government. In addition, she holds a top leadership position in DECA, which is an international student organization that prepares students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Plus, she maintains a 4.4 GPA in her studies while also excelling in tennis.
“I like to be busy,” Fisher said. “To be honest, it’s been a lot this past week. All good stuff but super busy.”
The third week of September alone was indeed hectic. Fisher was nominated for homecoming queen. She petitioned representatives in Harrisburg in an effort to get legislation passed. And, oh yes, she competed for a WPIAL championship in tennis singles.
After breezing to her third consecutive Section 3 title, Fisher finished runner-up to Meriwether McCargo in the Class 3A finals played Sept. 24 at the Bethel Park High School tennis courts.
For McCargo, it was her fourth straight district championship. It was also the sixth time the two have squared off against each other in individual as well as team competition with Fisher winning only once.
“(McCargo) is a very good player and I always know when I play her, it’s going to be a good battle. She played exactly how I had foreseen it,” Fisher said.
Fisher approached the finals with a strategy designed to combat McCargo’s strengths. However, McCargo chipped away at her composure. After winning the first set, 6-4, Fisher dropped back-to-back sets, 6-1, 6-1, to McCargo and settled for the silver medal.
“I think I constructed points very well but I think going into the last two sets, I should have waited for my opportunities to take advantage on offense.
“(McCargo) started playing more consistent and I think I was just getting a little bit more impatient because I wanted to end points a little bit early. I liked how aggressive I was being. I felt like I was swinging, and I wasn’t just letting her run me around. But I think that I could have stayed in the points longer, and then waited for a better opportunity.”
None occurred. As a result, McCargo rolled to victory, taking the second and third sets by 6-1 scores.
“In the first set, I felt good mentally and physically but the difference was probably the fact that I was just trying to end points too early. I got down in the second set and wasn’t able to come back,” Fisher said. “When the momentum shifts in mass, it’s just so hard to get it back.”
Fisher has time to regroup. She is qualified for the PIAA Class 3A singles tournament to be held Nov. 6 and 7 at the Hershey Racquet Club. It will be Fisher’s third appearance in the PIAA singles tournament, after having finished third in the WPIAL twice for this year’s second-place showing.
“Obviously, everyone wants to win (the WPIAL). That’s the goal,” Fisher said. “I think that I can really make a dent in the state tournament this year.”
Fisher is confident because she believes history may be on her side. Last year, Amelia Williams from Penn-Trafford finished runner-up to McCargo in the district tournament but recovered to capture the state crown.
“I really believe everything happens for a reason. I mean Amelia was in my spot last year and won a state championship. So I really feel like my best tennis is really on its way.”
At 6-0, the Lady Hawks appear on their way to another section banner and a berth in the WPIAL team tournament, having compiled a 9-1 record. With Fisher at No. 1 singles, Bethel Park has won a team title and two runner-up trophies the past three seasons.
“I’m looking forward to that,” Fisher said of the team tournament, scheduled to commence Oct. 12 and end with the finals set for Oct. 21 at the Janet L. Swanson Tennis Center on the
Washington & Jefferson College campus . “I do know our team’s going to do pretty well.”
While she did not perform as well in the balloting to garner the homecoming crown, Fisher anticipates doing well enough on and off the courts this school year to garner college scholarship opportunities as well as to promote philanthropic projects for the common good.
Of her recruitment Fisher said, “I do want to play tennis in college but honestly everything is pretty out there; north, south; town, city; Division I to Division III. I’m really looking all over and trying to figure out all my options.
“I’m really excited though about my DECA project,” she enthused. “We’re helping a super good cause and we’re raising money, so it makes me feel good that we’re doing something that is actually benefitting people and making a difference. So if I’m super busy because I’m out there helping people, then I’m okay with it.”