WPS freshman tennis star Abigail Plylar creates successful fundraiser

Worcester Prep freshman tennis standout Abigail Plylar turns her love of the sport into helping others. While working tirelessly in the classroom and on the courts, Plylar made time to start an annual fundraiser called Love for Lungs Tennis Tournament. She created the tournament at age 13 in memory of her grandfather who passed away from pulmonary fibrosis while a patient at the University of Maryland’s Lung Rescue Unit. This tennis tournament was a way to thank the incredible doctors and staff at UMD, and raise funds to help future patients.

In just two years, Plylar’s annual tournament raised almost $60,000 for the University of Maryland’s Lung Rescue Unit for lung research. The tennis tournament included more than 60 players, including many WPS teammates, friends, sponsors, donors and two UMD recent lung transplant recipients. Following the tournament, Plylar, who was the third singles player for the WPS varsity tennis team coached by teachers Cyndee Hudson and Debbie Speier, ended the season with a 12-0 personal record and an ESIAC Championship title. In the final two matches of the year, she played in the No. 1 singles position and still beat her opponent.

For more information about the third annual Love for Lungs set for May 18-19, 2018, go to www.loveforlungs.com.