Brenda Banks likes to listen to music before matches to calm down or hype herself up. She didn’t need much to get the juices flowing in the inaugural PIAA girls’ wrestling tournament Thursday afternoon in Hershey.

Banks posted a fall over Brooklyn Ayala of Penn Manor in 1:26 of their 235-pound bout to continue her undefeated season (26-0) and take her first step toward repeating the non-PIAA sponsored state championship she won a year ago.

It was a new experience for all the girls making their first appearance on the Giant Center floor - one that Banks relished.

“Ya, there was definitely more nerves being out here the first time,” said Banks. “I’m proud of myself for executing well on the mat. I always go into my matches with a bit of nerves because it’s an aggressive sport. You can never be too comfortable with what you’re doing. Glad I was able to wrestle efficiently to get my match done quickly.”

Banks knew coming into the tournament as the defending state champ - and having an unblemished mark this season - would carry a bullseye. But it’s something she’s become accustomed to over the course of the year.

“I feel like everyone is looking out for me after winning districts and regionals,” she said. “I know they’re getting ready for me, but I’m also ready for them and I’m not too nervous about it.”

Northwestern’s Katie Brensigner also wrestled an efficient and dominating match in her 148-pound opener, scoring a 16-1 technical fall in 6:00 over Angie Grieb of Bald Eagle Area.

Grieb got in deep on a shot early in the first period, but Brensinger dominated the rest of the way, scoring two takedowns and turning Grieb both times in the opening period to build a commanding 9-1 advantage. Even with a 14-1 lead and the clock ticking down to the final seconds of the third period, Brensinger kept working toward more back points to register a technical fall.

“I like top and working different moves. I haven’t hit a bar and a half combined all year, so it’s fun to do something new,” said Brensinger of finishing her win strong. “She came in strong and aggressive and went for a shot, but couldn’t quite get my legs and I was able to take my opportunity after that and turn it around and make it my match.”

Pleasant Valley’s Juliette Trout (107) was the other Times News area wrestler to compete for the girls, but she lost by fall in 2:42 to Isabella Baccio of Manheim Township to push her down to the consolation rounds.

Still, Thursday’s girls’ tournament was a welcomed sight in Hershey, as the girls were introduced to a loud serenade of cheers when they stepped onto the mats for warmups. The importance of wrestling in the first PIAA sanctioned girls’ tournament couldn’t be understated, and it wasn’t lost on Brensinger.

“It’s amazing to be out here,” said Brensinger. “Year-round I wrestle against guys and I’m the only girl on the boys’ team, but out here, making it official and wrestling side-by-side with the guys makes it all that more special and even more meaningful and important.”

Friday’s quarterfinal action for the girls was at 11:45 a.m. and held simultaneously with the first round of consolations. The second round of consolations are at 1:15 p.m. and semifinals will be at 7 p.m. Third round consolations begin at 9 p.m.