Here is Phil Glatfelter’s L-L League girls’ tennis preview, which focuses in on a pair of friendly rivals, who also just happen to be two of the best players in the L-L League and in District 3: Lauren Hankle and Jennie Eckhart. Read on:

They finished 1-2 in the district last year.

But each would have been satisfied if the results had been reversed.

Hempfield’s Lauren Hankle and Jennie Eckhart of Conestoga Valley hope they can return to the District 3 Triple-A championship match this season.

And if they do, the friendship they built through playing tennis together will allow them to simply enjoy playing each other, no matter who ends up victorious — just like last year.

“I remember in (last year’s) final, it was really fun,” said Eckhart, who will return to play at No. 1 for the Buckskins this season.

“Just being in that competitive situation was amazing, but I was just hitting with my friend. There was definitely pressure up until then. … But I was able to relax in the final.”

Hankle went on to take a 6-4, 6-4 victory, capping a run through the Lancaster-Lebanon League and district tournaments in which she didn’t lose a set.

She advanced to the second round of the PIAA tournament before bowing out.

“Now that I’ve already won the (L-L and district) titles, it’s like everybody knows and is out to beat me,” said Hankle. “I hope to defend (the titles).”

Both girls started their quest for L-L, District 3 and PIAA honors this week. The regular season ends Sept. 27 for most teams, and the L-L Tournament is schedule for Oct. 4, 6 and 8.

Hankle and Eckhart were about 12 years old when they first met. At that time, Eckhart was one of the top players at that level.

“She’d always beat me, but I kept getting better,” said Hankle. “Then me and Jennie were pretty even, but she stopped playing for a while. We went to tournaments and would be there together, and we’d also go to tournaments together.”

In addition to sharing a friendship as well as a love of tennis, the seniors both have been traveling this summer — for different reasons.

Hankle was competing in United States Tennis Association events across the country, including the National Championship in California. If she would have won there, she’d have qualified to play in the U.S. Open, which got under way Monday.

“It was just great playing in that tournament,” said Hankle, whose best finish was the round of 16 at a National Open Tournament in Texas.

Meanwhile, most of Eckhart’s summer was taken up by a National Youth Leaders Conference mission to Puerto Rico.

“I’ve been travelling a lot, so I’ve not played as much time,” said Eckhart, who said she’s hoping to get into a career that involves travel.

“I’ll play in college, but not any more national tournaments. I take it seriously, but I’m not as intense as Lauren.”

Hankle and the Black Knights should be racking up plenty of victories after taking the L-L Section 1 regular-season title by beating Manheim Township in a playoff last fall. (Manheim Central went 11-0 to win Section 2).

Hempfield won a district title before falling to eventual champ Peters Township in the second round of States.

“We’ve been close every year,” said Hankle. “I think we can do it this year.”

The Knights should be strong, with or without Hankle, who mentioned Michigan State, Georgia State and Texas Tech as some of her possible college choices (she wants to get into the medical field).

She’ll miss Saturday’s match against state power Upper Dublin for Middle States tournament.

One reason the Knights earned last year’s Section 1 title was because of CV’s 4-3 upset of Township.

“I’m really excited for the season,” Eckhart said. “I think we have a pretty good team.”

Oddly enough, Eckhart made an early exit from the L-L tournament, losing to Hankle’s teammate, Sydney Clark, in the second round.

However, she and Liz Beck teamed up to take the L-L League doubles title. Because she was competing in singles, the two couldn’t play in the district doubles tournament.

At the high school level, Hankle can actually take things on the court a bit less seriously. As a senior, it also gives her another responsibility.

“I like the team thing. It’s a lot of fun being with the girls,” she said.

“It’s really weird, because I’m like the top dog, the top player,” she said of her leadership role on the team. “It’s different, but it’s nice too.”

Should both Hankle and Eckhart play up to their expectations, look for several matchups during the season. In addition to their regular-season contest Sept. 27, possible matchups could come in the L-L, district and PIAA tournaments.

If that happens, their attitudes will probably be the same.

“With it being my senior year and winning last year, I’d really like to win again,” said Hankle. “But we are friends and (if she won), I’d be very, very happy for her.”