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NORTH ALLEGHENY 
VARSITY TENNIS

* PIAA CHAMPION *

* WPIAL RUNNERUP *

* SECTION CHAMPIONS *

Photo by Parviz Dousti

SKORUPKA TAKES SECOND IN PIAA SINGLES TOURNAMENT

Junior Zack Skorupka was defeated by Alex Most in the finals of the PIAA Class AAA Singles Tournament on Saturday at the Hershey Racquet Club.  Skorupka jumped off to a 4-1 lead in the first set but defending champion Mast rallied to tie the match at 4-4.  Mast then went on to win the next two games to take the first set 6-4.  In the second set, Mast won the first five games on his way to a 6-1 victory and his second consecutive championship.

Skorupka had defeated Billy Heird of Dallastown, 6-1, 6-2, in the semifinals earlier in the day.  Most defeated WPIAL Champion Casey Watt of Pine-Richland in the semis to advance to the final.

Skorupka won two matches at the Hershey Racquet Club on Friday to advance to the semifinals of the PIAA Class AAA Singles Tournament.  Skorupka defeated J.J. Bolock of Abington Heights, 6-3, 6-3, in the first round.  In the quarterfinals, the Tiger junior knocked off Austin Longacre of Avon Grove, 6-2, 6-3.

PIAA TOURNAMENT
CLASS AAA SINGLES
at Hershey Racquet Club

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TIGERS TAKE STATE TITLE WITH 4-1 WIN OVER UPPER ST. CLAIR

It was sweet revenge for the Tigers on Saturday evening at the Hershey Racquet Club as NA defeated Upper St. Clair, 4-1, to win the PIAA Team Championship.  Earlier in the day, the Tigers edged State College, 3-2, to advance to the championship match.

In singles play, all three Tigers came through with big victories.  At #1, junior Zach Skorupka was victorious over Evan Resse who retired because of injury.  Reese had won the first game, 5-7 before Skarupka came back to take game two, 6-4, before Reese was forced to forfeit.  At the number two singles slot, senior Mike Cobetto won over Chris Foster in two sets as did junior Payom Dousti at number three.

In doubles play, senior Perry Evangelista and sophomore Ryan Hennessee defeated Alex Su and Joe Tucker of USC in two sets, winning the second 7-4 on a tiebreaker.  

This was the final match for seniors Mike Cobetto, Perry Evangelista, Pat Miller and Adam Johnson as well as sophomore Ryan Hennessee who is moving.  The win gave the Tigers a final record of 23-4 and their first PIAA Team Championship.  The twenty-three wins mark a new team record for most wins in a season.  It was a satisfying victory for NA as they were defeated by Upper St. Clair in the WPIAL championship match.

CONGRATULATIONS TO COACH WOFFINGTON AND THE TIGER TEAM!!!!!!!

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  UPPER ST. CLAIR

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  STATE COLLEGE - 2

PIAA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS AAA

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TIGERS EDGE PENNSBURY, 3-2, TO ADVANCE TO PIAA SEMIFINALS

A win by junior Payom Dousti at #3 singles proved to be the difference as the Tigers defeated Pennsbury, 3-2, in the quarterfinals of the PIAA Team Tournament at Hershey on Friday.  NA will meet State College this afternoon at the Hershey Racquet Club with match time set for 2:00 pm.  The winner will advance to the championship match that is scheduled for 6:00 pm this evening.

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TIGERS WIPE OUT McDOWELL, 5-0, IN FIRST ROUND OF PIAA PLAYOFFS

The Tigers traveled to Erie for the first round of the PIAA Playoffs on Tuesday afternoon and defeated the McDowell Trojans, 5-0.  Leading the way were the NA singles trio with junior Zach Skorupka, senior Mike Cobetto and junior Payom Dousti earning victories.

In doubles play, the team of senior Perry Evangelista and sophomore Ryan Hennessee paced NA with a victory at #1 doubles while the number two Tiger team of senior Pat Miller and sophomore Shawn Palmeri was also victorious.

With the victory at the Pennbriar Athletic Club, the Tigers advance to the PIAA Quarterfinals to be played at the Hershey Racquet Club on Friday.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  McDOWELL - 0

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TIGERS FALL TO UPPER ST. CLAIR, 3-2, IN WPIAL FINAL

The Tigers battled top seed Upper St. Clair to the bitter end on Thursday afternoon at Shady Side Academy but dropped a tough 3-2 decision to the Panthers.  Winning for the Tigers were senior Mike Cobetto at #1 singles and junior Payom Dousti at the number three singles position.  Cobetto knocked off Chris Foster, 6-3, 6-3 while Dousti needed three sets to defeat Todd Becker, 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, and 6-3.

The top USC doubles teams were victorious over the Tigers.  Alex Su and Joe Tucker were tested by senior Perry Evangelista and sophomore Ryan Hennessee at #1 doubles, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 while Andy Smith and Arjun Prabhu edged senior Pat Miller and sophomore Shawn Palmeri at number two.  Playing at number one in the singles competition, junior Zach Skorupka lost a tough three-set match.  After losing 7-6 (7-4) in the first set, Skorupka came back to defeat Evan Reese, 6-2, in the second.  In the third and final set, Reese was able to win, 6-1.

Despite the loss, the Tigers have qualified for the PIAA Tournament.  NA finished with a record of 19-4 and will travel to Erie on Tuesday for a first round match in the PIAA Team Tournament.

MATCH SUMMARY
UPPER ST. CLAIR - 3  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2

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TIGERS EDGE PETERS TOWNSHIP, 3-2, TO ADVANCE TO WPIAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Led by a sweep of the singles competition, the Tigers avenged an earlier loss by defeating the Peters Township Indians, 3-2, at Keystone Oaks on Wednesday afternoon.  With the victory, the Tigers advanced to the WPIAL Championship this afternoon.

In singles play, junior Zach Skorupka, senior Mike Cobetto and junior Payom Dousti put the match out of reach by sweeping the hard-fought matches.  In doubles play, both Tiger teams took the Indians to three sets but could not add to the NA margin of victory.  Senior Perry Evangelista and sophomore Ryan Hennessee played at #1 doubles while the #2 team consisted of senior Pat Miller and sophomore Shawn Palmeri.

The Tigers will meet top seed Upper St. Clair at Shady Side Academy, weather permitting.  Match time is scheduled for 2:30 pm.

WPIAL CLASS AAA TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

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NORTH HILLS FALLS TO TIGERS, 5-0, IN QUARTERFINALS OF WPIAL PLAYOFFS

The Tigers took no prisoners in a 5-0 victory over North Hills in the WPIAL quarterfinals at the Senior High courts on Tuesday afternoon.  NA swept the singles competition behind junior Zach Skorupka, senior Mike Cobetto and junior Payom Dousti. 

In doubles competition, senior Perry Evangelista and sophomore Ryan Hennessee won easily at #1 as did the #2 team of senior Pat Miller and sophomore Shawn Palmeri.  In the showdown of father vs. son, father John got the best of son, Matt!

With the victory, the Tigers advance to the semifinals against Peters Township at Keystone Oaks.  Match time is scheduled for 3:00 pm.  The finals will be held tomorrow at Shady Side Academy.

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TIGERS END REGULAR SEASON WITH 4-1 VICTORY OVER SEWICKLEY ACADEMY

Coach John Woffington's Tigers completed their regular season with a 4-1 victory over perennial Class AA champion Sewickley Academy on Friday afternoon at Sewickley.  Once again, the NA singles players paved the way with straight set victories.  Junior Zack Skorupka, senior Mike Cobetto and junior Payom Dousti were all victorious without a losing a game.

With the win, the Tigers finished with an overall record of 17-3 and are the #2 seed in the WPIAL Team Championship Playoffs.  The Tigers received a bye in the first round and will play North Hills today at the Senior High courts.  It will be a battle of father and son with NA Coach John Woffington going against his son, Matt, a former star player at NA.  Match time is set for 3:00 pm.

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TIGERS DOWN TOUGH CENTRAL CATHOLIC, 4-1

The Tigers were tested at the Senior High courts on Thursday afternoon but were able to down Central Catholic, 4-1, in a non-section match as the Tigers continued preparations for the WPIAL Team Playoffs next week.  In singles competition, junior Zach Skorupka, senior Mike Cobetto and junior Payom Dousti won hard-fought matches as they swept the singles from the Vikings.

In doubles action, it took a third set tie-breaker but senior Perry Evangelista and sophomore Ryan Hennessee were able to defeat their doubles opponents for the victory.

The Tigers will complete the regular season this afternoon when they travel to Sewickley Academy to meet the Panthers in a non-section match.  The scheduled starting time is set for 4:00 pm.

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TIGERS DOMINATE GATEWAY, 5-0

The section champion Tigers began preparations for the upcoming WPIAL Playoffs with a 5-0 victory over the Gateway Gators at the Senior High courts on Wednesday afternoon.  Senior Mike Cobetto, junior Payom Dousti and sophomore Ryan Hennessee swept the singles matches to lead the Tigers to their fifteenth victory of the season.  

In doubles action, both teams overpowered their opponents.  At #1 doubles, it was the team of senior Perry Evangelista and sophomore Shawn Palmeri winning easily while, at #2, the team of senior Pat Miller and sophomore Matt Dulac were also successful in downing the Gator #2 team.

With the win, the NA overall record improved to 15-3 on the season.  The Tigers will host Central Catholic this afternoon at the Senior High courts as they continue to get ready for next week's playoffs.  Match time is scheduled for 3:00 pm.

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BOTH TIGER TEAMS FALL IN QUARTERFINALS

Both Tiger doubles teams were defeated in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Doubles Tournament at the Lakevue Racquet Club on Monday afternoon.  The top NA team of senior Mike Cobetto and senior Perry Evangelista defeated Josh Martin and Nathan Pritts of Connellsville, 10-0, in the first round.  The #2 NA team of junior Payom Dousti and sophomore Ryan Hennessee downed Ryan Capcara and Scott Helberg of Central Catholic, 10-7, to advance to the quarterfinals.

In quarterfinal action, Cobetto and Evangelista were defeated by Joey Tucker and Alex Su of Upper St. Clair, 10-8.  Brian Anandan and Steve Eaglen of Pine-Richland eliminated Dousti and Hennessee, 10-5.  The semifinals and finals of the tournament are scheduled for this afternoon at the Senior High courts.  Action is set to begin at 1:30 pm.

WPIAL DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS AAA
May 2-3, 2005

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TIGERS BEAT NORTH HILLS, 4-1, TO FINISH SECTION UNBEATEN

The Tigers knocked off rival North Hills, 4-1, on Friday afternoon on the Senior High courts to complete an undefeated section season.  Junior Zach Skorupka and sophomore Ryan Hennessee led the way for NA with victories in the singles competition.

In doubles action, the #1 team of senior Mike Cobetto and senior Perry Evangelista prepped for the upcoming WPIAL doubles tournament with a victory.  The #2 team of seniors Pat Miller and Adam Johnson was also victorious.  Between them, the doubles teams lost only one game.

The win gave NA a final mark of 10-0 in section play and improved their overall mark to 14-3.  Next up for the Tigers are the WPIAL Doubles Championships.  The team of senior Mike Cobetto and senior Perry Evangelista has been seeded #1 while the team of junior Payom Dousti and sophomore Ryan Hennessee has also qualified.  Action is scheduled to get under way at the Senior High courts at 2:00 pm, weather permitting.

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TIGERS WRAP UP SECTION CROWN WITH 5-0 VICTORY OVER SENECA VALLEY

The Tigers had to go indoors on Thursday afternoon but the results were the same as they shut out Seneca Valley, 5-0, at the Oxford Athletic Club.  Junior Chad Skorupka and seniors Pat Miller and Adam Johnson won their singles matches to lead the way for NA.

In doubles action, both Tiger teams won easily.  At #1 doubles, the team of senior Mike Cobetto and senior Perry Evangelista had little trouble in disposing of the Raiders.  The sophomore team of Ryan Hennessee and Shawn Palmeri took care of business at the #2 doubles position.

The win gave the Tigers their seventh consecutive section championship.  The NA section record improved to 9-0, the overall mark to 13-3.  The Tigers will try to close out an undefeated section season this afternoon when they host rival North Hills at the Senior High courts.  Match time is set for 3:00 pm.

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WPIAL TENNIS - 2005

The Tigers will compete in Class AAA again this year against 36 other teams.  The WPIAL will advance three singles players and three sets of doubles teams to the PIAA tournament.  The WPIAL Champion and runner-up will advance to the PIAA team championship.

WPIAL team championships will begin when section play is completed.  The section winner and runner-up will compete in the tournament.   If two teams tie for first place, only those teams will enter the tournament and both will receive a plaque.  If two teams tie for second place, only the winner of the head-to-head competition will advance to the tournament round.  Multiple ties will be broken in the following manner:

a.  Section won-lost records of all tied teams will be compiled.
b.  The team with the best numerical section record among the tied teams will enter post-season play.
c.  If the tie cannot be clearly broken, all will enter post-season play.

In all section matches and WPIAL competition, the seven-man team concept will be followed.  Each team will have three singles players and two teams of double players for each match.  No player can participate in both singles and doubles on the same day.  

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.  

Postponed matches must be played in order of postponement and scheduled on the first common open date.  Make up WPIAL section matches must have preference over exhibition matches, JV and junior high matches.

CLASS AAA - 37 TEAMS

Any questions or comments should be directed to Athletic Director Bob Bozzuto at:  bbozzuto@northallegheny.org