BETHLEHEM - Sam Lux knew Ashlynn Miller and Keira Reese didn’t need any extra motivation.

But the Jim Thorpe tennis coach took a moment to remind his players before the fourth game in the second set at the District 11 doubles tournament to embrace the moment - and remember what got them there.

The hard work and dedication shown by Reese and Miller throughout the season as the Olympians’ top two singles players was evident Thursday as the duo teamed up in the Class 2A doubles bracket.

Though Reese and Miller fell in the first round, the payoff for the pair of playing together on the biggest stage this season was a tribute to what they had done before even stepping on the court at Lehigh University.

“Just being here is a testament to their hard work,” said Lux. “They put a lot of work in to qualify, and they definitely deserved to be here. I just think it says a lot about the hard work they put in throughout the season that they were even able to make it here, because the majority of the girls that played tennis this fall aren’t still playing. So the fact that they are still playing today is indicative of the fact that they had a great season.”

Miller and Reese were seeded eighth in the 16-team Class 2A bracket, and faced No. 9 seed Cora Garippa and Bella Johnstone of Saucon Valley, who prevailed 6-1, 6-1.

Miller and Reese took the first game of the first set before Garippa and Johnstone tied it at 1-1. The Panther pair led the next two games 40-30, before closing them out to go up 3-1.

Johnstone and Garippa went up 40-15 in the fifth game, and 40-0 in the next two to take the first set 6-1.

“I don’t really have that much doubles experience, and she doesn’t really have that much doubles experience,” said Miller.

“We’ve never played together before,” added Reese. “So I think given the time we had to prepare, we did really well.”

In the second set, Garippa and Johnstone built a 3-0 lead. Miller and Reese led 30-15 in the second and third game, and a shot by Miller brought it to 40-all in the third before the Saucon pair finished off the game.

It was then that Lux reminded his players to keep attacking, go for their shots and stay on the offensive for the rest of the match.

“It’s a different game,” Lux said of the doubles dynamic. “It’s the combination of the two of you, and being able to play the net. While I think that even though they didn’t have the doubles experience, they definitely had the skill to win today. But that’s how it goes.”

The fourth game included a long rally and a nice shot by Reese that the Panthers couldn’t get back. Reese and Miller tied it at 30-30 before Garippa and Johnstone took the last two points to go up 4-0.

Reese and Miller trailed 30-15 in the fifth game before rallying back to make it 4-1. The next two games offered more back-and-forth between the teams, with Miller and Reese battling back in both after trailing 40-15 in the sixth, and 40-0 in the final game to make it 40-30 before Garippa and Johnstone put both away and eventually closed out the match.

“Our coach really helped us figure out what our strengths and weaknesses would be before the match,” said Miller. “It was definitely a challenge for us, and definitely different than what we’re used to,

“But we did go off of each other’s energy,” added Reese. “We’re so close as friends that we could kind of gauge who got what ball and things like that.”

The pair proved to be a quick study despite their limited doubles experience.

“It’s been a great season,” said Lux. “I think there’s just been a ton of progress from our entire team, and Ashlynn and Keira are each part of that, being the top two girls. They really set the tone for the rest of our team, and they’ve done a great job all season making everybody feel involved, and making everybody feel like it’s their team to learn and improve.”

STRONG SEASON

... Miller - the team’s top singles player - also qualified for the District 11 singles tournament at Lehigh earlier this week.

“I was excited to get here,” said Miller. “Last year, I came here to support the senior girls that made it to districts, so I was excited to be able to do that myself. And I do want to play at East Stroudsburg University.”

UP NEXT

... The Class 2A and 3A semifinals and finals will take place today at Lehigh University (indoor) beginning at 10 a.m. The finals will not begin before 11:30 a.m.