Cara Evans, Montrose tennis
Montrose’ Cara Evans serves to Scranton Prep’s Lily Lengyel during the PIAA District 2 Class 2A tennis final at Birchwood Raquet Club in South Abington Twp. Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Montrose’ Cara Evans returns the ball to Scranton Prep’s Lily Lengyel during the PIAA District 2 Class 2A tennis final at Birchwood Raquet Club in South Abington Twp. Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Montrose’ Cara Evans returns the ball to Scranton Prep’s Lily Lengyel during the PIAA District 2 Class 2A tennis final at Birchwood Raquet Club in South Abington Twp. Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Cara Evans, Montrose tennis
After losing in the final the past two years to Wyoming Seminary’s Ilana Rosenthal, the Lady Meteors junior defeated Scranton Prep’s Lily Lengyel, 6-0, 6-1, in this year’s final to capture the District 2 Class 2A singles championship.
Family: Mom, Teri; dad, Christopher; sister, Anna.
What did you think of your performance at districts: I thought I did very good. I was very happy with myself. I thought I executed my gameplan very well.
How does it feel to capture the title, after having to face three-time state champion Ilana Rosenthal in the district championship the past two seasons: It feels very good because I’ve been working so hard, especially since only one girl from our district goes to states. It’s been frustrating, especially to lose to Ilana because she’s the state champion. So this year being able to win districts, it’s very exciting and it makes me more excited for states knowing what’s next, and that Ilana did it, so maybe I can.
It seems like every year this area has at least one player who not only plays really well around here, but also at states. Is there anything that makes tennis so good in this area: I think what makes it so good is how much time and effort everyone puts into it. I know Lily (Lengyel) and I, we both go to the same place at Birchwood. She goes there a couple times a week, so do I. So we just put in a lot of effort outside of just the season. There’s lot of conditioning. I also go to Binghamton and Kingston, and I’ll see several other athletes there who are from our district. It just goes to show that we work so hard and that we put in lots of time in the offseason to prepare for the fall.
After winning the district title, you noted that Ilana’s parents said there were big things ahead for you, and you had nothing but great things to say about Lily as a person and a competitor. What is the tennis community like around here? It seems like a tight-knit group: It is. Everyone’s very supportive because tennis is such a mental sport. So, you understand what your opponent’s going through mentally, and just how tough you need to be. So, we can all relate to each other on that level, but also encourage each other. And that’s why I feel for Lily, as well. I know that she and Emma (Cuck) are going to the state tournament for doubles. So, I wish them all the best in that, but we’re all just very supportive of each other and want each other to do well because we know what it’s like and how hard of a sport it is to play.
Is there anything that you learned over your first two years of high school that has helped you this year: I learned that it’s OK to lose. Losing, it just teaches you that you can always be better. You could always better yourself, whether it’s in conditioning and just doing more exercises, getting better at them, or just working harder, even just at practices. You just have to be OK with that and understand that it’s all just a part of the process. Losing to Ilana, now I’m the district champion, so it’s just one big journey and it’s all going to be good at the end.
The state tournament starts Oct. 31. What do you do to prepare: I’ve just been practicing almost every day here. I’m going to continue to do that. I’m going to continue to do some exercises and conditioning, as well, and just stay focused, stay ready and just prepare myself before the tournament.
What’s it like being on the Montrose team with your mom and your sister: It’s so much fun, especially having my mom as a coach, because she’s just there to support me. Probably my favorite part of the season was just being able to play next to my sister, especially just to have that bond with her and just to see her succeed throughout the season. It’s just such an amazing feeling.
Do you have any plans after high school: I definitely want to go to college, especially for tennis. That would be really amazing if I could go to college, play tennis and get a good degree. But, in terms of jobs, I’m considering maybe becoming a lawyer, a dermatologist or a physical therapist. So, definitely a wide range of things.
Other sport you play: Softball
Athletes that you admire: I look up to Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, definitely, because they’re just the greats. They’re so mentally tough and they’ve left a great legacy on the sport itself.
Superstitions or rituals: I just do my resistance bands, but I always say my prayers to God and thank him for my opportunities to even just play tennis and to be healthy enough to do it. And I kind of get a little nervous, but it always goes away.
Favorite food: I like the tomato soup my mom makes, and I really like shrimp scampi.
Favorite sports teams: For college football, I really like the Georgia Bulldogs. And I like Penn State, too. For the NFL, I like the Eagles.
Three people you’d like to have dinner with: I would just want to be with my mom, my dad and my sister because I love them the most.