BETHLEHEM – Mallory Conner’s resolve shined brightest when her chances seemed dimmest.

Trailing one set to none and staring at a 5-2 deficit in the second against Allentown Central Catholic’s Bernadette Gasser in Wednesday’s District 11 Class 2A singles final, the Northwestern senior clawed her way back with five straight games to win the set, 7-5, and push the match to a third.

“I really hung in there,” Conner said. “I kind of slowed down on my serves, and I was just trying to think to myself, ‘This isn’t the last point or this isn’t the last serve.’ We had a lot of long deuce games, so I just knew I had to stick with it and keep trying to push her. It’s not over until it’s over.”

That rally captured the qualities Conner’s coach, Brian Bleam, said have defined her career, even as she ultimately fell 6-3, 5-7, 6-0 to the top-seeded Gasser at Lehigh University.

“A lot of kids would have folded up when it was 5-2, but she didn’t,” Bleam said. “She’s a warrior … some people are born for competition and for a fight, and Mallory is one of those people. She played really hard.”

A dominant run

to the final

Conner, the No. 2 seed, opened her tournament Monday with two commanding victories — a 6-0, 6-0 first-round win over Reese Eskesen of Palisades, followed by a 6-1, 6-0 quarterfinal triumph over No. 7 seed Valentina Munoz of Central Catholic.

She carried that momentum into Wednesday at Lehigh, where the semifinals and finals were both contested. Conner defeated third-seeded Vicky Guo of Moravian Academy 6-3, 6-1 to earn her third consecutive trip to the championship.

Gasser also had to earn her spot. After dropping the opening set to her Central Catholic teammate, No. 4 seed Madelyn Groff, she regrouped for a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory in her semifinal.

That meant both finalists arrived at the championship match already tested, and their three-set clash delivered on expectations.

Last season, Conner won the first set before Gasser rallied for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. This time, the script flipped — Gasser took the opener, Conner stormed back with her stirring comeback, and Gasser closed with a dominant third set to secure her second straight district crown.

“I tried to be a little more aggressive and more consistent,” Gasser said. “I moved her around a lot more and tried to make as few unforced errors as I could. She’s really consistent and a really good fighter — she never gives up.”

Gasser admitted the second set tested her mentally.

“I was a bit disappointed at the end of the second set, but I tried to forget about it and just focus on every point,” she said. “When I started to lead in the third set, I was able to regain my confidence.”

For the sophomore, the title capped a long, emotional day.

“It feels amazing,” Gasser said. “It almost feels unreal because it was a long day — two three-set matches. But I’m really happy I was able to pull through, and hopefully I can do it again for the next two years.”

Conner’s legacy

For Conner, the runner-up finish was another milestone in a career defined by consistency and competitiveness. She is a four-time district medalist, earning three silvers and a bronze, and has also been recognized as the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Girls Tennis Player of the Year the past two seasons.

“It’s been a good four years,” said Conner, who competes for Northwestern as an independent player since the school does not have a team.

“I never thought it would be possible even my freshman year, coming in and playing people that obviously had played each other all season and I hadn’t seen any of them. Especially this year playing someone new like Vicky in the semifinal, I’m pretty proud.”

She pointed to her growth in consistency and mental toughness as her biggest strides.

“I think just being able to hang in there a little bit more, maybe just a little longer,” she said. “Improving every part of my game was the goal, from serve to ground strokes. Just working on my consistency, I feel like that’s improved over the years.”

Bleam, who has known Conner since childhood and also serves as the Director of Junior Programs and Special Events at Brookside Country Club in Macungie, said her ability to thrive as an independent sets her apart.

“These girls she’s facing are playing 17 matches during the season, and Mallory isn’t,” he said. “She doesn’t have a team. But she’s still a four-time district medalist and a three-time finalist. That’s phenomenal. To be that consistent without the same resources — it says a lot about how hard she works and how much it means to her.”

He added that her competitiveness, drive, and personality have left a lasting impression.

“She just wants to win so bad, and she works so hard,” Bleam said. “That’s not easy to do in tennis — it’s all on you, no subs, no teammates to lean on. But she’s shown she’ll push it as far as she can, no matter how hard it is.”

More than medals

Conner will not advance to states, but she leaves behind a lasting legacy as one of the area’s most accomplished players.

As her senior season winds down, she said she’s undecided about playing in college but proud of her journey.

“I think I kind of just have to see where everything takes me and maybe take a step back, reflect on these past four years, and really think about stuff,” she said. “But I want to enjoy it and appreciate it. I’m happy to be able to do it.”

Though the district crown belonged to Gasser, she was quick to praise Conner’s determination.

“She has a really good slice and a very good net game,” Gasser said. “It was really hard, especially in the second set when she was so consistent. She makes it tough.”

Bleam said Conner’s impact is about more than medals.

“She’s shown so much, not just in this tournament but throughout her career,” he said. “She’s earned my respect a long time ago. I know she’s disappointed, but I’m not — because I know she tried her best. And sometimes in life your best falls short, but that doesn’t take away from what she’s done.”

For Conner, Wednesday’s silver medal was the last of her high school career. But the way she fought until the very end — true to her character — is how she’ll be remembered.

CHAMPION ... In the Class 3A final, top seed Alexandria Warsing of Parkland defeated teammate and No. 3 seed Sadie Pollard 6-0, 6-0.

UP NEXT ... The District 11 doubles tournament will take place next week at Lehigh University. The 2A and 3A first round and quarterfinal matches will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 7, with the semis and finals also to be held at Lehigh on Thursday, Oct. 9.