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NORTH ALLEGHENY GIRLS' VARSITY TENNIS * 2003 WPIAL RUNNERUP * * SECTION CHAMPIONS * * CHRISTIE D'ACHILLE AND SABRINA SMYERS - WPIAL DOUBLES CHAMPIONS, PIAA RUNNERUP* Photo by Al Durick, Portraits Plus Studio D'ACHILLE, SMYERS FALL IN FINAL Junior Christie D'Achille and sophomore Sabrina Smyers defeated Ashley Gesuale and Alexa Dragonette of Wilson in the semifinals of the PIAA Doubles Championship at the Hershey Racquet Club on Saturday afternoon to advance to the final. In the championship match, the Upper St. Clair duo of Amanda El-Togby and Carrie Miller downed the Lady Tigers, 6-3 and 6-2. The Tiger duo was awarded the silver medal for achieving second place in the state! In singles competition, senior Kim Whelan was defeated in the first round by Caitlyn Baker of Altoona, 6-1 and 6-3. Whelan is the first NA player to go to states four consecutive years. According to Coach Jim Sloan, "It was an honor and a pleasure to have Kim on the team for four years!" CONGRATULATIONS TO CHRISTIE, SABRINA, AND KIM FOR THEIR EFFORTS! 2003 PIAA CLASS AAA
2003 PIAA CLASS AAA
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * SMYERS, D'ACHILLE WIN TWO, ADVANCE TO PIAA SEMIFINALS Sophomore Sabrina Smyers and junior Christie D'Achille won two matches at the Hershey Racquet Club on Friday to advance to the semi-finals of the PIAA Doubles Tournament. The Tiger duo knocked off Kelly Mansmann and Kate Mathews of Conestoga, 6-3 and 6-2, in the first round. In the quarterfinals, the NA team defeated Emma Leibowicz and Julia Green of Allderdice, 6-2 and 6-4. Today, Smyers and D'Achille will face Ashley Gesuale and Alexa Dragonette of Wilson in the semifinals. The winner will move on to the championship match later today. In singles play, senior Kim Whelan was defeated in the first round by Caitlyn Baker of Altoona, 6-1 and 6-3. Last year, Whelan was the PIAA runnerup. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * UPPER ST. CLAIR UPENDS LADY TIGERS, 5-0, IN WPIAL FINAL The Lady Tigers' 21-match unbeaten streak came to an end in the WPIAL Championship at Lakevue Athletic Club on Friday afternoon when they lost to Upper St. Clair, 5-0. The win gave USC their third title in four years. The Tigers played well, but the Panthers were just a little better. In singles competition, senior Kim Whelan came close to winning. After Whelan won the first game, 6-4, USC's Amanda El-Tobgy came back to win game two, 6-2. In the third and deciding game, Whelan had a 4-1 lead before El-Tobgy rallied to win, 6-4. In the number two and three singles matches, sophomore Sabrina Smyers and junior Christie D'Achille dropped close two-set matches to the Panthers. In doubles play, Upper St. Clair was dominant. The top Tiger duo of sophomore Anne Wilson and junior Kristin Ambrosino lost to Becky Kovel and Whitney Abbott, 6-0 and 6-1. The team of senior Annie Clough and junior Lauren Rosenbeck also lost in straight sets. It was a great season for the Tigers as they finished with an overall record of 21-1. They were the section champions and made a great run in the playoffs. In individual competition, the Lady Tigers will send WPIAL Doubles Champions, Sabrina Smyers and Christie D'Achille, to the state finals along with WPIAL Singles Runnerup, Kim Whelan. Good luck to the Lady Tigers at States! CONGRATULATIONS TO COACH SLOAN AND THE LADY TIGERS FOR A GREAT SEASON! MATCH SUMMARY
WPIAL TEAM TOURNAMENT
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * IT'S ON TO THE WPIAL FINAL FOR LADY TIGERS Led by a singles sweep, the undefeated Lady Tigers defeated Peters Township, 4-1, on Thursday afternoon at Oxford East in the WPIAL semifinals. All three singles players won in straight sets to lead NA to this afternoon's championship match against Upper St. Clair at Keystone Oaks High School at 2:00 pm. At number one singles, senior Kim Whelan downed Lauren Subosits, 6-3 and 6-2. Sophomore Sabrina Smyers tossed a shutout in number two singles with two 6-0 wins. In the #3 position, junior Christie D'Achille downed Molly Matthews, 6-2 and 6-1. In doubles play, the duo of sophomore Anne Wilson and junior Kristin Ambrosino won in two sets, the second ending in a default by Peters Township. The number doubles team of senior Annie Clough and junior Lauren Rosenbeck played well but dropped two 6-4 decisions. On the season, the Lady Tigers have won 21 matches without a loss going into today's final. Upper St. Clair will provide a stiff challenge for NA in the title match. MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * SHADY SIDE FALLS TO LADY TIGERS, 3-2, IN PLAYOFF OPENER The Lady Tigers held off Shady Side Academy and defeated the Indians, 3-2, in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Tournament at the Senior High courts on Wednesday afternoon. Playing in winds of 40 mph or better, both teams had problems as balls were blowing sideways some ten to fifteen feet on occasion. The NA singles players earned the victory in the match. Senior Kim Whelan, sophomore Sabrina Smyers, and junior Christie D'Achille were all victorious in their matches. Whelan knocked off Christine Lin, 6-1 and 6-0. Smyers and D'Achille both won in straight sets, despite the conditions. In doubles play, both NA teams were defeated in straight sets, but the Tigers were able to move on in the playoffs. NA will meet Peters Township at Franklin Regional in the semifinals. Match time is set for 3:00 pm. MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * UNDEFEATED REGULAR SEASON FOR LADY TIGERS Coach Jim Sloan's Lady Tigers defeated Allderdice on Friday afternoon at the Senior High Courts to complete an undefeated regular season. The victory boosted the overall NA record to 19-0, while the section mark finished at 14-0. Once again, NA was victorious without losing a set. Senior Kim Whelan posted a 6-0, 6-0 shutout over Leah Friedman at #1 while sophomore Sabrina Smyers and junior Christie D'Achille were straight set winners at the #2 and #3 singles positions. In doubles play, sophomore Anne Wilson and junior Kristin Ambrosino knocked off Asha Sandridge and Sara Rosen, 6-0 and 6-3, while senior Annie Clough and junior Lauren Rosenbeck were taking care of business in a two-set sweep. MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NORTH HILLS LATEST VICTIM FOR LADY TIGERS, 5-0 The Lady Tigers continued their unbeaten streak at North Hills on Thursday afternoon when they defeated the Indians, 5-0. The three singles players lost only one game in winning straight set victories. Senior Kim Whelan at #1 and sophomore Sabrina Smyers at #2 were 6-0, 6-0 winners while #3 junior Christie D'Achille earned a 6-0, 6-1 victory. In doubles play, it was sophomore Anne Wilson and junior Kristen Ambrosino teaming up to beat Christa Cardone and Sara Herchko, 6-3 and 6-3 at the #1 doubles spot. In the second doubles match, senior Annie Clough and junior Lauren Rosenbeck won a straight set decision. NA completed section play with a perfect 14-0 record and the section title. Overall, the Lady Tigers improved to 18-0. This afternoon, NA will host Allderdice at the Senior High courts with match time set for 3:30 pm. MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * D'ACHILLE AND SMYERS TAKE WPIAL DOUBLES TITLE Junior Christie D'Achille and sophomore Sabrina Smyers defeated Allie Seranko and Mary Wilson from Latrobe, 6-3, 6-3, on Wednesday afternoon at Norwin High School to win the WPIAL Doubles Championship. The NA win marked the first time since 1978 that a Tiger team won the title. In that year, Hall of Famer Betsy Kalmeyer teamed up with Sue King to give NA a championship. D'Achille and Smyers will advance to the PIAA Tournament on October 31 and November 1 at Hershey Racquet Club. The top three teams will represent the WPIAL at Hershey. D'Achille and Smyers won their semifinal match over Megan D'Amico and Sarah Diffenbach of Fox Chapel, 6-1, 6-2, on Tuesday afternoon to advance to the Class AAA final. After receiving a bye for being the top seed, D'Achille and Smyers downed Christy Bungo and Elyse Zak of Indiana in the quarterfinals. The Lady Tigers will complete their regular season with match this afternoon at North Hills and Friday against Taylor Allderdice at home. Both matches are scheduled for 3:30 pm. *CONGRATULATIONS TO CHRISTIE AND SABRINA!* WPIAL CLASS AAA
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * LADY TIGERS EDGE LATROBE, 3-2, IN PLAYOFF PREVIEW Coach Jim Sloan's Lady Tigers won their seventeenth consecutive match without a loss with a 3-2 victory over Latrobe on Monday afternoon at the Senior High courts. Sophomore Sabrina Smyers and junior Christie D'Achille posted wins while the doubles team of sophomore Anne Wilson and junior Kristen Ambrosino came through with a victory for the winning Tigers. In singles play, senior Kim Whelan dropped a two-set match to WPIAL champion Michaela Kissel at #1. Smyers won her match with Mary Wilson, 6-2, 6-1, while D'Achille recorded a comeback victory against Allie Seranko, 1-6, 6-2, and 6-1. Wilson and Ambrosino beat Brittany Ruffner and Jessie Meyer, 6-0 and 7-6, while senior Annie Clough and junior Lauren Rosenbeck were defeated in two sets. Coupled with a 5-0 section win against Ambridge on Friday, the win improved the NA overall record to 17-0 on the season. MATCH SUMMARIES
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5 AMBRIDGE - 0
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * FIFTEEN IN A ROW FOR LADY TIGERS The Lady Tigers defeated Seneca Valley, 5-0, at Seneca on Thursday afternoon for their fifteenth consecutive win without a loss. NA was able to win without losing a set to the Raiders. Once again, the three Tiger singles players had their own way. Senior Kim Whelan defeated Kelly Stenger, 6-0, 6-4, at number one singles. At number two, sophomore Sabrina Smyers lost only one game in downing Catherine Gignac while junior Christie D'Achille won her match in straight sets also. In doubles play, Coach Jim Sloan sent out sophomore Anne Elise Wilson and junior Kristin Ambrosino at number one and they earned a 6-3, 6-2 decision over Sarah Dobson and Mindy McCloskey. In the number two doubles match, senior Annie Clough once again with junior Lauren Rosenbeck to win two straight. The Lady Tigers will be back in action this afternoon against the Latrobe Wildcats in what could be a preview of the upcoming WPIAL team playoffs. Match time is set for 3:30 pm at the Senior High courts. MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * NA BLANKS HAMPTON, 5-0, FOR FOURTEENTH STRAIGHT WIN Coach Jim Sloan's Lady Tigers shut out the Hampton Talbots, 5-0, on Wednesday afternoon at Hampton to extend their unbeaten streak to fourteen matches. NA won all five matches with straight set victories. In singles play, senior #1 Kim Whelan downed Lauren Devos, 6-1 and 6-1, to continue her fine play this season. At the second and third singles positions, sophomore Sabrina Smyers and junior Christi D'Achille won by a combined score of 24-3. The duo of sophomore Anne Elise Wilson and junior Kristen Ambrosino defeated Kristine Sherred and Erica Lombardo, 6-2 and 6-0. At #2 doubles, senior Annie Clough teamed up with junior Lauren Rosenbeck to win in two straight sets. MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * D'ACHILLE AND SMYERS WIN SECTION DOUBLES TITLE For the second consecutive year, junior Christie D'Achille and sophomore Sabrina Smyers won the section doubles title. On Tuesday afternoon at the Senior High courts, the Tiger team was victorious over Lauren Devos and Kate Wiley of Hampton, 6-1 and 7-5. The top three teams in section play will move on to the WPIAL tournament next Monday and Tuesday. In the semifinals on Monday afternoon, D'Achille and Smyers won three matches to advance to the section final. The second NA doubles team of senior Annie Clough and sophomore Anne Elise Wilson won their first round match against Amy Briola and Amanda Foltz of Ambridge, 10-1. In the quarterfinals, however, the Tiger duo was eliminated by Kate Wiley and Lauren Devos of Hampton, 10-5. The Lady Tigers team will be back in action this afternoon when they travel to Hampton for a 3:30 pm section match. WPIAL SECTION 2
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * LADY TIGERS DROP BUTLER, 4-1 Coach Jim Sloan's Lady Tigers defeated Butler, 4-1, on Friday afternoon at the Senior High courts. Leading the way once again were the NA singles players, winning 18 games and losing only 3. Senior Kim Whelan and sophomore Sabrina Smyers shut out their opponents, winning in 6-0 straight sets. Junior Christie D'Achille was victorious over Angie Byrnes, 6-1 and 6-2. In doubles competition, junior Lauren Rosenbeck teamed up with freshman Becca Dickos to down Steph Shapiro and Ashley Allen, 6-2 and 6-1. Senior Annie Clough and junior Kristin Ambrosino dropped a two-set decision to Ali Steriopolis and Courtney Kerr. The victory was the tenth straight for the first-place Tigers. The overall mark improved to 13-0. The section doubles competition gets under way this afternoon. We will have more details later MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * PINE-RICHLAND FALLS TO LADY TIGERS Coach Jim Sloan's Lady Tigers continued to roll as they downed the Pine-Richland Rams, 5-0, on Thursday afternoon at Pine-Richland. Senior Kim Whelan defeated Kelsey Haas, 6-0 and 6-1, at number one singles to pace the victory. Sophomore Sabrina Smyers and junior Christie D'Achille both won in straight sets in the other two singles matches. In doubles play, sophomore Anne Elise Wilson and junior Kristen Ambrosino over Meghan D'Antonio and Bridgette Loisele, 7-5 and 6-2. Senior Annie Clough and junior Lauren Rosenbeck teamed up again to win the number two doubles match.
MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * WHELAN FALLS IN FINAL Senior Kim Whelan was defeated in the WPIAL Class AAA Championship Final by Michaela Kissell of Latrobe, 6-1 and 6-2, at Norwin High School on Wednesday afternoon. Kissell, a freshman, got off to a good start in the match, and Whelan was unable to come back. "She was really on her game today", Whelan said. Kissell is the first freshman to win the title since 1995. Whelan won a pair of matches on Tuesday afternoon at the Oxford Athletic Club in Monroeville to advance to the championship of the WPIAL singles tournament. After moving on with a bye in the first round, Whelan downed Mary Wilson of Latrobe, 10-8, in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the Tiger senior knocked off Amanda Campbell of Fox Chapel, 6-4 and 6-2, to advance to the final. Sophomore Sabrina Smyers won her first round match over Katie Kravits of Thomas Jefferson, 10-1. In the quarterfinals, however, Smyers was defeated by Shayna Miller of Upper St. Clair, 6-1 and 6-3. Whelan qualified for the PIAA Championships by virtue of her second place finish. The state championships will be held on October 30 through November 1. The Tiger senior was the PIAA runnerup last year. WPIAL CLASS AAA
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * COACH SLOAN WINS 400th AS NA DEFEATS SHALER, 5-0 The Lady Tigers defeated Shaler, 5-0, at the Senior High courts on Friday afternoon to give Coach Jim Sloan his 400th career victory. Sloan has been the Lady Tiger coach for the past 30 years. The win kept NA undefeated with a 7-0 section mark and a 10-0 season record. In singles play, both #1 senior Kim Whelan and #2 sophomore Sabrina Smyers won in straight sets and not losing a game. At #3 singles, sophomore Anne Elise Wilson defeated Nicole Yallum, 6-2 and 6-0. In doubles play, the number one team of senior Annie Clough and junior Kristin Ambrosino defeated Nina Trexler and Kate Brennan, 6-2 and 6-1. Junior Lauren Rosenbeck and freshman Molly Moynihan won in straight sets at #2 doubles. MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * WHELAN DEFEATS SMYERS FOR SECTION TITLE Senior Kim Whelan defeated teammate and sophomore Sabrina Smyers, 6-2 and 6-1, to win the section title at the Senior High courts on Wednesday afternoon. In the consolation match, Kelsey Haas of Pine-Richland was victorious over Lauren DeVos of Hampton. In the opening round, Whelan shut out Emina Hodzic of Shaler, 10-0 while Smyers shut out Jessica Krznar of Ambridge by the same score. In the quarterfinals, Whelan and Smyers continued to keep their opponents from scoring. Whelan downed MacKenzie Kolling of Pine-Richland and Smyers downed Ali Sterioplus of Butler, both by the 10-0 score. In the semifinals, Whelan defeated DeVos in two sets, 6-1 and 6-0. Smyers followed suit with a two-set win over Haas, 6-1 and 6-3, to set up the all-NA final for the second consecutive year. Whelan repeated her victory over Smyers by winning 6-2 and 6-1. Whelan and Smyers, along with Haas, will move on to the WPIAL Singles Championships next Monday and Tuesday at Norwin High School. We will have pairings posted as soon as we receive them. MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * NORTH HILLS FALLS TO LADY TIGERS The North Hills Indians were the latest victim of the Lady Tigers as NA won by a 5-0 score at the Senior High courts on Friday afternoon. The singles players led the way as they defeated North Hills, 18-0, in the singles competition. Senior Kim Whalen at #1, sophomore Sabrina Smyers at #2, and junior Lauren Rosenbeck all won by identical 6-0 scores in both sets. In doubles play, sophomore Anne Elise Wilson and junior Kristin Ambrosino needed three sets but they emerged victorious over Sara Herchko and Christa Cardone, 6-3, 4-6, and 6-2. Senior Annie Clough and freshman Molly Moynahan teamed up to win the second doubles match in two sets. The win was the sixth consecutive section win and ninth in a row overall without at loss. The section singles tournament was to get underway this afternoon but has been postponed by rain. We will have more information on the tourney later. The Lady Tigers will be back in action again tomorrow when travel to Pine-Richland. Match time is scheduled for 3:30 pm. MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * LADY TIGERS SHUT OUT AMBRIDGE The Lady Tigers won their fifth straight section match, eighth in a row overall, as they defeated Ambridge, 5-0, at Ambridge on Wednesday afternoon. The Tigers lost only five games in winning the match in straight sets. In singles play, sophomore Sabrina Smyers moved up to number one and defeated Jade Gagainas, 6-0 and 6-0. Junior Christie D'Achille played up at #2 and also won in straight sets without losing a game. At the number three singles match, senior Annie Clough defeated Amy Briola, also in straight sets. In doubles play, the number one team of sophomore Anne Elise Wilson and junior Kristen Ambrosino had little trouble in defeating Shelby Schmidt and Amanda Foltz, 6-0 and 6-0. In the second doubles position, Molly Moynahan and Becka Dickos won in straight sets. The Lady Tigers will be back in action again this afternoon when they host archrival North Hills. Match time is set for 3:30 pm at the Senior High courts. MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * SEVEN STRAIGHT FOR LADY TIGERS Coach Jim Sloan's Lady Tigers continued their unbeaten streak as they defeated Shadyside Academy, 5-0, at the Senior High courts on Tuesday afternoon for their seventh straight victory without a loss. Even though it was a non-section match, it was a good win for NA over a very good Shadyside team. The NA singles players all won in straight sets to pace the Tiger win. Senior Kim Whalen continued to play well at #1 singles as she posted a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Christine Lin. Sophomore Sabrina Smyers and junior Christie D'Achille were victorious in their matches as NA was able to dominate the Indians. In doubles play, senior Annie Clough and junior Lauren Rosenbeck won over Julie Klilne and Jordan Headlee, 6-4 and 6-2. At number one doubles, sophomore Anne Elise Wilson and junior Kristin Ambrosino continued their outstanding play as they downed Molly Burke and Erica Headlee. The victory improved the NA overall record to 7-0, the section mark to 4-0. This afternoon, the Lady Tigers will travel to Ambridge to meet the Bridgers in a 3:30 pm match. On Friday, it's archrival North Hills at the Senior High courts with match time also set for 3:30 pm. MATCH SUMMARY
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * WPIAL GIRLS TENNIS - 2003 The Lady Tigers will compete again in Class AAA, along with 36 other teams. The WPIAL will advance three singles players in each classification and three sets of doubles teams in each classification to the PIAA tournament. The PIAA will conduct a girls' team tennis tournament and the WPIAL champion in each classification will play in the PIAA tournament. WPIAL team championships will begin when section play is completed. The section winner and runner-up will compete in the tournament round. If two teams tie for first place, only those teams will enter into the tournament. If two teams tie for second place, only the winner of head-to-head competition will advance to the tournament round. Three way ties will be broken in the following manner: 1.
The cumulative won-lost section records of all tied teams will be totaled. In all section matches and WPIAL competition, the seven-player team concept will be followed. Each team will have three singles players and two teams of doubles players for each match. No player can participate in both singles and doubles on the same day. A player can be changed from singles play on one day to doubles play for the next. All teams must field a minimum of six players. Failure to field six players will result in a forfeit victory for the opponent, provided they have at least six players ready to play. Coaches must play their best player of the three singles players designated for each match at the number one singles position, second best at number two and third best at number three. The same format must also be used in placing doubles teams in the lineup. Scoring will be traditional - the best of three sets. If the score reaches "six-all" in any set, a twelve-point tiebreaker shall determine a winner in that set. This system must be followed in all section matches and WPIAL playoffs. Sectional qualifiers will be held for singles and doubles. Each school may enter two singles players and two doubles teams. Sectional matches will be determined by pro sets until the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, final and third place qualifying matches, the three set format will be used. Three players/doubles teams will advance to the WPIAL championship round from each section qualifier. The fourth place finisher will served as the alternate and will play in the event of a withdrawal by any of the first three place winners. All WPIAL tournament play will be contested over a two day period. Matches will be determined by pro sets until the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, final and third place qualifying matches, the three set format will be used. Players will be seeded by the WPIAL based on all information available regarding relative strengths according to published rankings and previous competition. 2003 GIRLS TENNIS ALIGNMENT - 37 TEAMS
Any questions or comments should be directed to Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto at: bbozzuto@northallegheny.org |