BETHLEHEM - Mallory Conner was in it to win it.

And her performance throughout the District 11 Tennis Tournament gave her an opportunity to do just that.

The Northwestern sophomore advanced to the finals in the Class 2A bracket on Tuesday before falling to Moravian Academy’s Francesca Bartolacci.

But Conner’s showing in four matches over the last two days showcased the ability of a player on an upward trajectory.

“Honestly, it just gives me more confidence for next year,” said Conner. “Even if Francesca was here or not, I would still be ready.”

Top-seeded Bartolacci turned October red with her third career title and second in a row for the Lions with a 6-4, 6-0 victory at Freedom High School.

Conner, who was seeded third, took the first set in the finals match, and tied it at 2-2 when Bartolacci forced deuce after being down 40-15. But Conner hit back-to-back winners to take the game and tie things up.

The momentum swung back to Bartolacci, as the senior the next three games to build a 5-2 lead.

But Conner showed her talent - and toughness - in the match.

During the changeover, Conner required attention from the trainer for an ailing right shoulder. She responded by taking the next two games to cut the deficit to 5-4.

“Obviously, that affected my serve a lot and my overhead,” said Conner. “But I still played through it.”

Trailing 40-30 and facing set point, Conner forced deuce before eventually coming up with another winner to make it 5-4.

“Coming back, being down 5-2, I knew obviously that game’s a must win,” said Conner. “That was a hard fought game that went to deuce. I really just had to put it all into that because winning the first set is super important, and I wanted to try to put the pressure back on her.”

But Bartolacci responded by closing out the first set in the next game to go up 1-0.

“I felt like she was right there,” said Conner’s coach Brian Bleam. “I felt like it could have gone either way. If she could have won just a couple more points in that first set, I feel like it would have been different. But I know her shoulder was hurting. So I think that was probably a significant factor, too.”

Bartolacci turned back Conner in the second set before eventually closing out the match for her third title in four years.

Conner battled the adversity and a talented player in Bartolacci in the finals, showing herself as one of the top players in the district despite the Tigers not having a team.

“Districts is a great opportunity to showcase your skills,” said Conner. “You just try to come in and do your best. Sometimes, like that was not my best, but Francesca played really well.

“I tried to always keep myself in every match. Obviously, the last set kind of got away a little. But the score doesn’t always represent the match. We had a pretty long match, we had a lot of good points. It’s just a great opportunity, being back here the next two years, I’ll be even more comfortable next year. It just gets better from here.”

Conner’s day started with an emphatic 6-0, 6-0 win over No. 2 seed Madelyn Groff of Allentown Central Catholic in the semifinals.

“That match was super comfortable, I was super confident, especially going into the second (match),” said Conner. “Obviously, I’ll see her over the next few years. So I know she’ll be back next year. I know she’ll be more prepared, but so will I.

“I didn’t know much about her, but watching her and playing against her, she’s a good player.”

Conner faced a break down 40-30 in the second game of the first set against Groff but rallied to force deuce before eventually taking the game and a 2-0 lead.

It helped set the tone for the type of performance the would follow in both matches Tuesday.

“She was the underdog. She came in as the No. 3 seed. She beat the No. 2 seed 6-0, 6-0, and played a now three-time district champion, so that’s pretty tough. And she doesn’t have a team around her,” said Bleam. “When you put things in perspective, I think what she did was just phenomenal. I know she’s very disappointed. She’s hard on herself, but she did a good job. Second place in the district is pretty impressive as a sophomore.”

And Conner looks like she’s just getting started.

CHAMPION

... Liberty’s Helena Lynn, the top seed, defeated No. 2 seed Alexandria Warsing of Parkland 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 for the Class 3A title.

QUITE A RUN

... After reaching the semifinals last year, Conner made huge strides to reach the finals. She downed Moravian’s Penelope Blomfield 6-0, 6-0 in the first round on Monday before topping No. 6 seed Laura Li 6-3, 6-0 in the quarters.

UP NEXT

... The Class 2A and 3A doubles first round and quarterfinals matches will take place Thursday at Lehigh University, beginning at 11 a.m. The semis and finals will be held Friday at Freedom High School.