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2008 PIAA TEAM CHAMPIONS
Photo Courtesy of Madia Photography

WHELAN AND LARIMORE WIN STATE DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

The NA doubles team of sophomore Kelly Whelan and senior Jen Larimore won the PIAA Class AAA Doubles Championship with a pair of victories at the Hershey Racquet Club on Saturday.  In the semifinals, the NA duo defeated Caroline Barry and Lauren Stauffer of Manheim Township, 6-3 and 7-5.  The championship was a rematch of the WPIAL final with the Lady Tiger team once again defeating Julie Stroyne and Caroline Nixon of Peters Township, 6-2, 6-2, to win the title.

In the first round on Friday, Whelan and Larimore eliminated Sarah Nyirjesy and Laura Delbeccaro of Abington, 6-0, 6-2.  In the quarterfinals, the NA duo downed Jennifer Learmonth and Maggie Golden of Central York, 6-3, 6-3.

CONGRATULATIONS TO KELLY AND JEN!!!!

2008 PIAA CLASS AAA DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

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LADY TIGERS WIN STATE TENNIS TITLE!

The Lady Tigers got sweet revenge from a loss to Shady Side Academy in the WPIAL Championship as they defeated the Indians, 3-2, to win the PIAA title at the Hershey Racquet on Saturday afternoon.  Leading the way were sophomore Kelly Whelan and junior Stephanie Smyers with wins in singles play while the doubles team of senior Jen Larimore and freshman Kayla Becich proved to be the difference with a win at #1 doubles. 

Whelan took a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Sara Perelman at #1 singles to set the stage.  At number two singles, Smyers had to go to a tiebreaker to knock off Meredith Lackey in the first set before taking a 6-4 win in the second.  In the doubles match, Larimore and Becich lost the first set, 6-3, before rallying to take the second set, 6-1, and then prevail in a tiebreaker in the third and final set.

Earlier in the day, NA knocked off District 11 Champion Parkland, 3-2.  Once again, it was Whelan and Smyers with wins in singles play along with a victory by Larimore and Becich in doubles that gave the Lady Tigers the win that advanced them to the championship match.

CONGRATULATIONS TO COACH WENIGER AND THE LADY TIGERS!!!!

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  SHADY SIDE ACADEMY - 2

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  PARKLAND - 2

2008 PIAA GIRLS' TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

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LADY TIGERS EDGE ABINGTON, 3-2,
TO ADVANCE TO PIAA SEMIFINALS

The Lady Tigers took a 3-2 victory over the Abington Galloping Ghosts in the PIAA quarterfinals on Friday afternoon at the Hershey Racquet Club.  Sophomore Kelly Whelan won in singles play, but the two doubles teams proved to be the difference.  At #1 doubles, senior Jen Larimore and freshman Kayla Becich and at #2 doubles sophomore Blair Brown and senior Lisa Gorski both were victorious to lead NA to the victory.

 With the win, NA advances to the semifinals against Parkland, also a 3-2 winner in the quarterfinals.  Match time is scheduled for 12:00 noon.

The two semifinal winners will meet for the PIAA Class AAA championship at 4:30 pm this afternoon at the Hershey Racquet Club.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  ABINGTON - 2

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LADY TIGERS STOP McDOWELL, 5-0,
TO ADVANCE TO PIAA QUARTERFINALS

The Lady Tigers traveled to the Pennbriar Tennis Club in Erie on Tuesday afternoon and defeated McDowell, 5-0, in the first round of the PIAA Class AAA team tournament.  With the win, NA advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals against Abington, a 4-1 winner over Wilson in the first round.  The quarterfinal match will be played at the Hershey Racquet Club on Friday with match time scheduled for 2:00 pm.

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SHADY SIDE ACADEMY EDGES LADY TIGERS, 3-2,
IN WPIAL FINAL

For the second straight year, the Lady Tigers were defeated by Shady Side Academy in the WPIAL Class AAA Team Championship final.  Sophomore Kelly Whelan was victorious in singles play while the #1 doubles team of senior Jen Larimore and freshman Kayla Becich won the second NA point.  Late in the match, the Lady Tigers were just three points away from winning the title.  The Indians were able to hold on to win by a 3-2 score. 

With the loss, the NA overall record fell to 19-3 on the season.  The Lady Tigers have qualified for the PIAA team tennis championships. NA will play a first round match against Erie McDowell on Tuesday at the Pennbriar Tennis Club in Erie.  Match time is scheduled for 1:00 pm

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LADY TIGERS TOP PINE-RICHLAND, 3-2,
TO ADVANCE TO WPIAL FINAL

The Lady Tigers got revenge for two losses to Pine-Richland during the regular season with a 3-2 victory over the Rams at the Lakevue Racquet Club on Thursday afternoon.  Sophomore Kelly Whelan and junior Amanda Maiello were victorious in singles play to set the stage for the victory.

In number one doubles, the team of senior Jen Larimore and freshman Kayla Becich took a straight set victory to secure the victory and send the Lady Tigers to the final.

In the championship final, the Lady Tigers will meet Shady Side Academy in a rematch of last year's championship match won by the Indians, 4-1.  Today's match will be played at Sewickley Academy and is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  PINE-RICHLAND - 2

WPIAL TEAM TOURNAMENT

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BETHEL PARK FALLS TO LADY TIGERS IN
QUARTERFINALS OF WPIAL PLAYOFFS

The rain forced action indoors on Wednesday afternoon, but it did not slow down the Lady Tigers as they defeated Bethel Park, 5-0, at the Oxford Athletic Club in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL playoffs.  NA will now face section nemesis Pine-Richland in the semifinals. 

During the regular season, Pine-Richland handed NA their only two losses of the year, both by 3-2 scores.  The teams will meet this afternoon at Hampton with match time set for 3:00 pm.

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LADY TIGERS BLANK HEMPFIELD, 5-0, IN
FIRST ROUND OF WPIAL PLAYOFFS

The Lady Tigers shut out the Hempfield Spartans, 5-0, in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs at the Senior High courts on Tuesday afternoon.  Led by straight set victories in singles by sophomore Kelly Whelan, junior Stephanie Smyers, and junior Amanda Maiello, NA did not lose a set in posting the victory.

In doubles play, senior Jen Larimore teamed up with freshman Kayla Becich to take a 6-0, 6-1 victory at #1.  In the second doubles match, sophomore Blair Brown and senior Lisa Gorski matched their teammates with a victory by the identical 6-0, 6-1 score.

With the win, the Lady Tigers advanced to the quarterfinal round against Bethel Park, a 5-0 winner over Oakland Catholic.  NA will host the match at the Senior High courts with the starting time set for 3:00 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  HEMPFIELD - 0

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WHELAN, LARIMORE WIN WPIAL DOUBLES TITLE FOR
SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR

The top NA doubles team of sophomore Kelly Whelan and senior Jen Larimore defeated Julie Stroyne and Caroline Nixon of Peters Township in the championship match of the WPIAL Class AAA Doubles Championships at Lakevue Racquet Club on Wednesday afternoon.  The Tiger duo needed only two sets to defeat their opponents by scores of 6-1 and 6-2.

After receiving the top seed and a bye in the first round, Whelan and Larimore defeated Lizzy Yetiskul and Abby McCormick of Bethel Park, 10-3, to move on to the semifinals.  In the semifinals, the Tiger duo defeated Claudia Escribens and Brittany Russell of Upper St. Clair, 6-2, 6-0. 

The title was the third for Larimore as she won in her freshman, junior and senior.  It was the second WPIAL title for Whelan and Larimore who will advance to the PIAA tournament.

The Lady Tiger team finished in second place in section play and will begin the WPIAL Team Tennis playoffs next Tuesday.  NA will host Hempfield at the Senior High courts with match time set for 3:00 pm. 

WPIAL CLASS AAA DOUBLES TOURNAMENT
Keystone Oaks High School/Lakevue Racquet Club
October 7-8, 2008

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LADY TIGERS UPEND LATROBE, 4-1

The Lady Tigers prepared for the upcoming WPIAL team playoffs with a 4-1 victory at Latrobe on Monday afternoon.  Wins by juniors Stephanie Smyers and Amanda Maiello in singles play, along with a pair of straight set victories in doubles, gave NA the win

At #1 doubles, senior Jen Larimore and freshman Kayla Becich shut out Ali Morelli and Julia DeFabo of Latrobe, 6-0, 6-0.  The #2 team of sophomore Blair Brown and senior Lisa Gorski downed the Wildcat duo of Regina Wolushun and Katelyn Hill, 6-0, 6-1.

With the win, the Lady Tigers completed their regular season with a final record of 16-2.  NA will host Hempfield next Tuesday in the first round of the WPIAL tournament with match time set for 3:00 pm at the Senior High courts.  In WPIAL doubles play, sophomore Kelly Whelan and senior Jen Larimore are seeded #1.  The NA duo will play ithe winner of the match between Latrobe and Bethel Park at Keystone Oaks this afternoon.

JV UPDATE:  The JV squad completed an undefeated season with a 5-0 victory over Latrobe at the Senior High courts on Monday afternoon.  The JV final record was 16-0. 
CONGRATULATIONS TO COACH RUFFOLO AND THE JV SQUAD!!!

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  LATROBE - 1

JV MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  LATROBE - 0

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LADY TIGERS BLANK NORTH HILLS, 5-0,
AS SECTION PLAY ENDS

The Lady Tigers swept North Hills, 5-0, in the section finale at North Hills on Friday afternoon.  The NA singles players, sophomore Kelly Whelan, junior Stephanie Smyers and junior Amanda Maiello, all won in straight sets to pace NA.

In doubles play, the #1 team of senior Jen Larimore and freshman Kayla Becich downed the NA team of Heid and Bright, 6-0, 6-1.  At #2 singles, sophomore Blair Brown teamed up with senior Lisa Gorski to down the NH team of Gantic and Waters, 6-2, 6-2.

With the win, NA completed section play with a final record 12-2 and a second place finish.  The Lady Tigers will complete their regular season with a non-section match at Latrobe on Monday.  The starting time is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  NORTH HILLS - 0

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WHELAN, LARIMORE WIN SECTION DOUBLES TITLE

Sophomore Kelly Whelan and senior Jen Larimore teamed up to win the Section 2 doubles championship at the Senior High courts on Thursday afternoon.  In the semifinals, the NA duo downed Michaela Varys and Emily Winkler of North Hills, 6-1, 6-1 to advance to the final.  In the championship match, Whelan and Larimore defeated Olivia Heim and Taylor Perz of Pine-Richland, 6-1, 6-4 to claim the title.

The number two NA team of juniors Stephanie Smyers and Amanda Maiello were defeated in the semifinals by Heim and Perz of Pine-Richland in straight sets.  In the consolation final, Varys and Winkler of North Hills defeated the Tiger team, 7-6 (6) and 6-0.

The Tiger team will be back in action this afternoon when they travel to North Hills to meet the Indians in a match rescheduled from Wednesday.  Match time is set for 2:30 pm.

WPIAL SECTION 2
DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

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PINE-RICHLAND HANDS LADY TIGERS SECOND LOSS, 3-2

For the second time this season, the Pine-Richland Rams edged the Lady Tigers, 3-2, in a section contest this time at the Senior High courts on Monday afternoon.  Junior Amanda Maiello was the lone singles winner for NA with a 7-5, 6-4 victory at #3 singles.

In doubles play, the #1 team of senior Jen Larimore and freshman Kayla Becich downed the P-R team of Kunkel and Reiffer, 6-1, 6-1, but it was not enough as the Rams prevailed.

With the loss, the NA section record fell to 11-2, the overall mark to 14-2 on the season.  The Lady Tigers will complete section play tomorrow afternoon when they visit North Hills for a 3:30 pm match.

JV UPDATE:  The JV team remained unbeaten with a 3-2 victory at Pine-Richland.  NA is now 15-0 on the season!

MATCH SUMMARY
PINE-RICHLAND - 3  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2

JV MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  PINE-RICHLAND - 2

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WHELAN FALLS IN WPIAL SEMIFINALS

Sophomore Kelly Whelan won two matches in the WPIAL Singles Tournament at Keystone Oaks on Thursday afternoon to advance to the semifinals.  Whelan defeated Mary Pulsinelli of Hempfield, 10-0, in the first round before knocking out Lizzy Yetiskul of Bethel Park, 10-1, in the quarterfinals.

In the semis, Ronit Yurovsky of Plum eliminated Whelan, 6-3, 7-5.  Whelan downed Olivia Heim of Pine-Richland, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 to win the consolation match and finish in third place in the tournament.

WPIAL SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLASS AAA

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LADY TIGERS BLANK BUTLER, 5-0

The Lady Tigers won their ninth consecutive match with a 5-0 victory over Butler at the Senior High courts on Wednesday afternoon.  Sophomore Kelly Whelan, junior Stephanie Smyers, and senior Lisa Gorski led the way with straight set victories in singles play.

In doubles play, senior Jen Larimore teamed up with freshman Kayla Becich again at #1 to defeat the Tornado team of Carolyn Shetter and Madison Kerr, 6-3, 6-0.  In the #2 doubles match, sophomore Blair Brown and senior Cherry Bharati downed Heather Santa and Courtney Gallagher, 6-7,6-4, and 10-5. 

With the win, the NA section record improved to 11-1, the overall mark to 14-1 on the season.  Sophomore Kelly Whelan will begin play in the WPIAL Singles tournament this afternoon when she meets Mary Polsinelli of Hempfield.  Action is slated to get under way at 1:00 pm at Keystone Oaks.

JV UPDATE:  The JV team continued their unbeaten streak with a 4-1 victory at Butler on Wednesday after.  The JV record is now 14-0.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  BUTLER - 0

JV MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  BUTLER - 1

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LADY TIGERS UPEND UPPER ST. CLAIR, 3-2

The Lady Tigers won an impressive 3-2 non-section victory over Upper St. Clair at the Senior High courts on Tuesday afternoon.  NA was led by sophomore Kelly Whelan and junior Stephanie Smyers who won their singles matches in straight sets.  The #1 doubles team of senior Jen Larimore and freshman Kayla Becich ensured the victory with a 3-6, 6-0, 6-0 win.

With the win, the overall NA record improved to 13-1 on the season.  The Lady Tigers will host Butler this afternoon in a 3:30 pm section match at the Senior High courts.

JV UPDATE:  The JV squad remained unbeaten with a 3-2 victory at Upper St. Clair on Tuesday afternoon.  With the win, the overall JV record improved to 13-0.

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

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

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LADY TIGERS BLANK MARS, 5-0

The Lady Tigers won their seventh straight with a 5-0 shutout at Mars on Monday afternoon.  Leading the way with a victory at #1 singles was junior Stephanie Smyers who posted a 6-1, 6-0 victory.  Juniors Amanda Maiello and Vaidehi Tata followed with straight set wins at the #2 and #3 singles positions.

The #1 doubles team of senior Jen Larimore and freshman Kayla Becich took a 6-0, 6-2 win over the Mars team of Smail and Then.  At #2 doubles, sophomore Blair Brown teamed up with senior Cherry Bharati to take their match in straight sets.

With the win, NA improved to 10-1 in section, 12-1 overall.  The Lady Tigers will host Upper St. Clair this afternoon in a 3:30 pm non-section match.

JV UPDATE:  The JV team continued their winning ways as they won their 12th match without a loss with a 5-0 victory over Mars at the Senior High courts.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  MARS - 0

JV MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  MARS  - 0

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2008 WPIAL GIRLS' TENNIS

The Lady Tigers will compete again in Class AAA of the WPIAL along with 36 other teams.  The top three teams in each section will enter the WPIAL Tournament.  All playoff entries will be determined by section record only and will be determined by the best section won/lost record.  Teams that tie for first place will not have the tie broken and all of the tied teams will be declared section champions, will receive a section winner's plaque, and will be entered into the WPIAL tournament.  If three or more teams tie for first place, only those teams will qualify for the playoffs.

If the event of a multiple tie (two or more teams) for a playoff position, head-to-head competition will be the first determinant.  If head-to-head does not break the tie, the following tiebreaking system will be used.  If three or more teams are tied for second place and the tie breaking system identifies one team as the second place team, the remaining teams will be then tied for third place and the process begins all over with head-to-head competition being the first determinant for establishing the third place team.  If a tie cannot be broken, all tied teams will enter the playoffs.

TIE-BREAKING SYSTEM

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

In Class AAA, two singles players, two sets of doubles teams, and two teams will advance to the PIAA tournament.

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 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.  If a team match ends in a tie, a USTA twelve point tie breaker will be played between the first singles players (for that day) to determine the team winner.  No substitutes will be permitted in the tiebreaker.

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.

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

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, 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 serve as the alternate and will play in the event of a withdrawal by any of the first three place winners. 

Section qualifiers will be contested in a two-day period unless the section manager determines that a one day format is suitable.  The WPIAL championship tournament will be contested in a two day period as scheduled.  The WPIAL Office will render decisions to move championship tournament matches indoors on each scheduled date if inclement weather prevails.

2008 GIRLS' TENNIS ALIGNMENT - CLASS AAA (37 TEAMS)

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