Tamaqua’s Chloe Ryan and Emma Ziajka, along with Jim Thorpe’s Keira Reese and Noelanie Sepulveda, shared a similar story Tuesday afternoon at the PIAA District 11 Class 2A doubles championship at Lehigh University.

Neither duo had ever played an official high school doubles match together — and that lack of experience and chemistry worked against them.

The final results might have been expected, but both teams were far from short on effort. Playing as unseeded entries, they also competed without the pressure of lofty expectations.

Seventh-seeded Palisades defeated Tamaqua 6-1, 6-3, while sixth-seeded Saucon Valley topped Jim Thorpe 6-4, 6-3 in quarterfinal play.

Ziajka, a senior captain and Tamaqua’s No. 1 singles player, noted that she and Ryan had teamed up in a doubles tournament at Valley Royale the previous weekend, where they faced a Blue Mountain pair.

Despite their limited court time together, the Blue Raider tandem stayed determined — and enjoyed the moment.

“We’ve been practicing during the season, but we worked even more once we found out we’d be playing together today,” Ziajka said. “Although we lost, we had fun being out there together. We gave it our all.”

Ryan, also a senior and Tamaqua’s No. 3 singles player, shared the sentiment.

“Emma and I played very consistently,” Ryan said. “It was a little difficult playing doubles because I’m not used to it, but Emma and I make a good team.

“We approached the match with good spirits and gave it our all. We were going into it to have some fun. There was no pressure, and we were just hoping to win.”

Tamaqua head coach Kathy Odorizzi was pleased with the effort, even if the result wasn’t close on the scoreboard. The Blue Raiders will next face Allentown Central Catholic in the upcoming District 11 team tournament on Monday.

“Emma and Chloe played well, but it just wasn’t their day,” Odorizzi said. “They put up a good fight, but Palisades was just a little bit better and earned the win.

“Playing doubles at districts was a goal for the girls, so I’m happy they were able to get the experience.”

Jim Thorpe head coach Emilio Mercado watched his pairing take on the doubles format for the first time, and was impressed with their competitiveness. The Olympians kept both sets close before Saucon Valley closed with two straight games to take the first set, and the final game of the second.

“The girls left upset, but they still had smiles on their faces,” Mercado said. “It was Noelanie’s first time at districts, so she was a bit nervous, but hustled regardless. Keira was more prepared, and even aced them a couple of times on her serve.

“It was definitely well-fought, and I’m happy they got to experience playing in this setting.”

Despite the outcome, Sepulveda, a junior and Jim Thorpe’s No. 2 singles player, appreciated the experience.

“I think the match went great despite us losing,” Sepulveda said. “We played well and felt pretty comfortable with each other on the court, considering we hadn’t played doubles together before today.

“I felt extremely comfortable with Keira since we’ve been on the same team for three years now. I think we both understand how each other plays because of that.”

Reese, a senior and the Olympians’ No. 1 singles player, said she and Sepulveda blended well, and that she cherished her final district appearance.

“It took a lot of communication and pre-match planning to develop a strategy with Noelanie,” Reese said. “Both of us are more comfortable playing singles, so we had to make a lot of adjustments being in close proximity on the court. I feel that my serve strength and placement paired well with Noelanie’s topspin in today’s match.

“I’m really going to miss the excitement of coming to districts, but I have high hopes for the younger girls to get here in the coming years. Even though we didn’t win today, I’m grateful to have had this opportunity one last time with the girls on my team, who have become my second family.”