North Allegheny grad honored by Harvard tennis program

North Allegheny graduate and Harvard sophomore women’s tennis player Anna Li worked hard off the court, and it paid off.

Li, 20, of McCandless, was the recipient of the Crimson’s Most Outstanding in Strength and Conditioning Award.

Li said her junior coaches always emphasized conditioning, and she loved being challenged by her twin sister, Tina, who plays for Navy, in the weight room.

“My college coaches value conditioning both to build strength and to prevent injuries,” said Li, the 2015 WPIAL and PIAA Class AAA singles runner-up and 2014 PIAA runner-up who led North Allegheny to three PIAA titles. “I will be on the courts and in the gym plenty this summer.

“I would love to win the Ivy League title as a team.”

Li, who is studying statistics, went 12-2 in singles, including 5-1 in dual matches. She finished the season with four consecutive victories.

In doubles, she tallied 13 wins.

She helped the Crimson (17-7, 5-2) to second place behind Princeton in the Ivy League.

“It’s been a pleasure working with Anna and seeing her growth on and off the court,” said Traci Green, the Sheila Kelly Palandjian Head Coach for Harvard Women’s Tennis. “She’s added a lot to her doubles and singles game via her hard work in practice and discipline in strength and conditioning.

“Her amazing grit and mental toughness in the gym and on the court have been a huge key to our success.”