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MATCH SUMMARIES

TIGERS FALL IN WPIAL SINGLES TOURNAMENT

Both Tiger netters were defeated in the WPIAL Class AAA Singles Tournament at Keystone Oaks High School on Thursday afternoon.  Senior Matt Kosovec won his first round match over Julian Pearlman of Mt. Lebanon, 10-5, to advance to the quarterfinals where he was a winner over Jesse Scheirer of Peters Township, 10-5.  In semifinal action, #1 seed Jay Jones of Upper St. Clair downed Kosovec, 6-1, 6-1.  As a result, Kosovec will play in the third place consolation match this afternoon against Rico Certo of Fox Chapel.

Senior Matt Smith was also victorious in the first round with a 10-3 victory over Dante Rebelo of Bethel Park.  In the quarterfinals, Certo eliminated Smith by a 10-5 score.  The final and consolation matches will be played this afternoon at the Senior High courts beginning at 2:30 pm.  MSA Sports will broadcast the final LIVE on the internet. 

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BUTLER FALLS TO TIGERS, 4-1

The Tigers took a giant step toward clinching the section title with a 4-1 victory over second place Butler at the Oxford Athletic Club on Tuesday afternoon.  Freshman Jon Ho gave the Tigers an early lead with a quick 6-1, 6-0 win at #1 singles.

Both Tiger doubles teams had to survive first set tie-breakers but then came on to put away their Tornado opponents in the second set.  Winning for NA were senior Matt Kosovec and junior Andrew Marczak at #1 doubles while the team of seniors Sam Gill and Nick Dulac won at number two.  At the #3 singles position, freshman Chris Lippiello started late but finished strong to earn a victory.  At the #1 singles, senior Matt Smith played well but dropped a tough match.

With the win, the Tigers improved their section record to 9-0, the overall mark to 13-0 on the season.  NA will travel to Shady Side Academy this afternoon for a 4:15 pm non-section match.

The win gave NA coach John Woffington his 600th career victory.  The veteran Tiger mentor has posted a 600-131 (.822) record over 38 seasons.  Woffingotn's teams have won 21 section titles, three WPIAL Championships and a PIAA title in 2005.  His teams have qualified for the playoffs for 27 of the past 28 years missing only in 1995.

CONGRATULATIONS TO COACH WOFFINGTON!!!

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TIGERS BLANK LEBO, 5-0, TO EXTEND UNBEATEN STREAK TO TWELVE

The Tigers traveled to Mt. Lebanon on Wednesday afternoon and handed the Blue Devils a 5-0 shutout.  In singles play, seniors Matt Smith and Matt Kosovec, along with freshman Jon Ho, all won their matches to secure the victory.

At number one singles, Kosovec was extended to three sets but won the third set going away by a 6-0 score.  In the number two singles position, Smith started slowly but came back to win the first set, 7-5, before earning a 6-0 win in the second.  In the #3 single match, Ho had little trouble as he captured both sets by 6-0 scores.

In doubles play, the team of seniors Sam Gill and Nick Dulac and the #2 team of freshman Chris Lippiello and sophomore Bennett Salvatora both cruised to victory in straight sets.

With the non-section win, the Tigers improved their overall record to 12-0 on the season.  NA will get a much-need five-day break before getting back into section action next week.  The Tigers will host Butler in an all-important section rematch on Tuesday with match time set for 3:30 pm.

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TWO TIGERS QUALIFY FOR WPIAL
SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS

Senior Matt Smith dropped a tough three-set match to Matt Slamecka of Butler in the section championship on Tuesday afternoon at the Ox ford Athletic Club.  In spite of the loss, Smith qualified for the WPIAL Singles tournament next week as the section runnerup.  In the consolation match, senior Matt Kosovec defeated Bas Van Lent of Pine-Richland to also qualify for the WPIAL tournament. 

The Tiger team will travel to Mt. Lebanon this afternoon to meet the Blue Devils in a non-section match.  The starting time has been changed to 1:00 pm.

WPIAL CLASS AAA
SECTION 2 SINGLES
April 6-7, 2009

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TIGERS STILL ALIVE IN SECTION
 SINGLES TOURNAMENT

The only athletic event that was held on Monday took refuge indoors at the Oxford Athletic Club where seniors Matt Smith and Matt Kosovec represented NA at the Section 2 Singles Tournament.   Smith defeated Dan McLaughlin of Shaler, 10-0, in the first round while Kosovec advanced to the quarterfinals thanks to a bye for the #1 seed.

In the quarterfinals, Kosovec downed Warren Shaw of Seneca Valley, 10-0, while Smith disposed of Evan Kowalski of Butler, 10-4.  In the semifinals, Smith got by Bas Van Lent of Pine-Richland, 6-1, 6-1, but Kosovec was defeated by Matt Slamecka of Butler, 7-5, 6-4.  In the final this afternoon, Smith will meet Slamecka while Kosovec takes on Van Lent in the battle for third place.

The top three will move on to the WPIAL Singles Championships next week.  The Tiger team will be back in action tomorrow at Mt. Lebanon with match time scheduled for 3:30 pm.

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TIGERS REPEAT 5-0 SHUTOUT OF PINE-RICHLAND

In the rematch between last year's top section teams, the Tigers showed their dominance again this year with a repeat 5-0 victory over the Rams at the Oxford Athletic Club on Friday afternoon.  Senior Matt Kosovec gave NA the lead with a 6-0, 6-0 victory at #1 singles.  The NA doubles teams put away the victory with wins.

At #1 doubles, junior Andrew Marczak and Sam Gill and at #2 freshman Chris Lippiello and senior Nick Dulac were able to win early to put the match out of reach for the Rams.  At #2 singles, senior Matt Smith was extended but still won in straight sets.  At #3 singles, freshman Jon Ho needed three sets but was able to complete the shutout.

With the win, the NA section record improved to 8-0 with the overall mark going to 11-0 on the season.  On Monday, seniors Matt Kosovec and Matt Smith will represent NA in the section singles tournament.  Play is scheduled to get under way at 11:00 am at the Oxford Athletic Club.

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ERIE McDOWELL FALLS TO TIGERS, 4-1,
 AS NA WINS TENTH STRAIGHT

The Tigers remained unbeaten with a 4-1 victory over Northern power Erie McDowell at  the Senior High courts on Thursday afternoon.  Senior Matt Smith and freshman Jon Ho led the way with victories in the singles competition.

The doubles teams secured the victory as they swept the Trojans.  Winning for NA were the #1 team of junior Andrew Marczak and senior Sam Gill and the #2 team of freshman Chris Lippiello and senior Nick Dulac.  The Tigers also downed the Trojans in all five exhibition doubles matches.

With the win, the overall NA record improved to 10-0 on the season.  This afternoon, the Tigers will travel to Pine-Richland, weather permitting, for a section rematch with the Rams.  Match time is scheduled for 3:30 pm.

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TIGERS OPEN SECOND HALF WITH 5-0
BLANKING OF SHALER

The Tigers started the second half of the season the same way they began the first half with a 5-0 shutout of Shaler at the Oxford Athletic Club on Wednesday afternoon.  The NA singles players --- freshman Jon Ho and Chris Lippiello, along with junior Andrew Marczak --- did not lose a game in sweeping the singles matches.

In doubles play, seniors Matt Smith and Sam Gill teamed up to win at #1 while the team of senior Chen Zhao and freshman Steve Klein were victorious to complete the shutout.

The Tigers will host perennial Northern power Erie McDowell this afternoon at the Senior High courts.  The starting time is scheduled for 3:00 pm, not the usual 3:30 pm.

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TIGERS TOP FOX CHAPEL, 4-1, TO
CONTINUE WINNING STREAK

The streak has now reached eight as the Tigers downed a strong Fox Chapel team, 4-1, at the Senior High courts on Tuesday afternoon.  The doubles duos of junior Andrew Marczak and senior Sam Gill along with freshman Chris Lippiello and sophomore Bennett Salvatora gave the Tigers an early lead.  Senior Matt Kosovec secured the victory with a win in singles play. 

Freshman Jon Ho added a win in singles play to give the Tigers the final margin of victory.  With the win, the overall NA record improved to 8-0 on the season.  The Tigers will host Shaler this afternoon at the Senior High courts as second half section play begins.  The starting time is scheduled for 3:30 pm.

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TIGERS TRIUMPH OVER NORTH HILLS, 5-0

The Tigers completed the first half of section unbeaten thanks to a 5-0 victory over North Hills at the Oxford Athletic Club on Monday afternoon.  Senior Matt Kosovec, freshman Jon Ho, and junior Andrew Marczak led the Tigers to their seventh straight victory (and sixth shutout!).

The doubles team of seniors Matt Smith and Sam Gill, along with the team of freshman Chris Lippiello and sophomore Bennett Salvatora overwhelmed the Indians to complete the shutout.

With the win, NA improved their section record to 6-0, the overall mark to 7-0.  The Tigers will host a strong Fox Chapel team in a non-section match this afternoon.  Match time at the Senior High courts is set for 3:30 pm.

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TIGERS STAY UNBEATEN WITH 5-0
WIN AT SENECA VALLEY

Despite the absence of three top starters, the Tigers were still able to shut out Seneca Valley, 5-0, in a section contest at Seneca on Friday afternoon.  Junior Andrew Marczak, senior Sam Gill and freshman Chris Lippiello stepped in to win the singles matches and pace NA to the victory.

In doubles play, it was senior Nick Dulac teaming up with sophomore Bennett Salvatora to win at #1 doubles.  At the #2 doubles position, senior Chen Zhao and freshman Steve Klein completed the shut out with a victory.

With the win, NA improved to 5-0 in section play, 6-0 overall.  The Tigers will host neighborhood rival on Monday afternoon at the Senior High courts as the first half of section play concludes.  Match time is scheduled for 3:30 pm.

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TIGERS TOP CENTRAL CATHOLIC, 5-0,
FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT WIN

The rain forced the Tigers indoors on Wednesday afternoon, but the weather did not slow the NA express as they blanked section foe, Central Catholic, 5-0, at the Oxford Athletic Club.  Singles wins by senior Matt Kosovec, freshman Jon Ho and junior Andrew Marczak led NA their fifth consecutive victory without a loss.

Both doubles teams were overpowering in completing the shutout.  At #1 doubles, seniors Matt Smith and Sam Gill, along with senior Nick Dulac and freshman Chris Lippiello at #2, both were victorious for the winning Tigers.

With the win, the NA section record improved to 4-0, the overall mark to 5-0.  The Tigers will travel to Seneca Valley tomorrow afternoon for another key section battle.  Match time is scheduled for 3:30 pm.

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TIGERS STOP BUTLER, 4-1, TO TAKE SECTION LEAD

The Tigers knocked off previously unbeaten Butler, 4-1,  at Butler on Monday afternoon to take over first place in section.  In singles play, senior Matt Smith and freshman Jon Ho earned straight set victories to give NA an early lead.  Senior co-captain Matt Kosovec then came through at #1 singles with the victory that clinched the match.

At #1 doubles, the team of senior Nick Dulac and freshman Chris Lippiello won a hard-fought match in three sets to finish the scoring in the NA win.

With the victory, the NA section record improved to 3-0, the overall mark to 4-0.  The Tigers will host section foe Central Catholic tomorrow afternoon.  Match time at the Senior High courts is set for 4:00 pm.

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HAMPTON FALLS TO TIGERS, 5-0

For the third consecutive match, the Tigers were victorious by a 5-0 score as they shut out Hampton at the Senior High courts on Friday afternoon.  Senior Matt Kosovec, junior Andrew Marczak and senior Sam Gill led the way with victories in the singles matches.

Both doubles teams were also victorious to complete the shutout.  At #1, senior Nick Dulac and freshman Chris Lippiello took care of business against the Talbots as did the #2 team of sophomore Bennett Salvatora and freshman Willie Suhrie.

The Tigers will travel to Butler on Monday afternoon for a crucial early season showdown with the Golden Tornado.  Match time is scheduled for 3:30 pm.

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TIGERS SHUT OUT DEFENDING SECTION
CHAMPION PINE-RICHLAND, 5-0

Photo Gallery

The Tigers showed Pine-Richland that 2009 is a different year as NA blanked the defending champion Rams, 5-0, at the Senior High courts on Wednesday afternoon.  Leading the way for the Tigers were seniors Matt Smith and Matt Kosovec, along with freshman Jon Ho, who were "invincible in the singles matches" according to Head Coach John Woffington.

In doubles play, the number #1 team of junior Andrew Marczak and senior Sam Gill and the #2 team of senior Nick Dulac and freshman Chris Lippiello both won in impressive fashion.

With the win, NA improved to 2-0 in section play.  Next up for the Tigers will be the Hampton Talbots who will be at the Senior High courts tomorrow afternoon for a non-section contest.  The starting time is set for 3:30 pm.

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TIGERS OPEN SECTION SEASON WITH
5-0 BLANKING OF SHALER

The Tigers opened the 2009 regular season with a 5-0 section victory at Shaler on Monday afternoon.  In singles play, senior Matt Smith, freshman Jon Ho, and junior Andrew Marczak were all victorious sweeping the singles matches without losing a game.

In doubles play, the number team of seniors Sam Gill and Nick Dulac and the #2 team of senior Chen Zhao and freshman Steve Klein captured straight set victories as NA opened on a successful note.

The Tigers will host defending section champion Pine-Richland tomorrow afternoon as section play continues.  The starting time is scheduled for 3:30 pm at the Senior High courts.

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TIGERS DOWN LEBO, 4-1, IN FINAL TUNEUP

The Tigers downed Mt. Lebanon, 4-1, at Mt. Lebanon on Friday in the final tune-up for the regular season.  Senior Co-Captains Matt Kosovec and Matt Smith led the way with victories in the singles play.  In doubles competition, the #1 team of seniors Sam Gill and Nick Dulac and the #2 squad of sophomore Bennett Salvatora and freshman Chris Lippiello both were victorious.

NA will travel to Shaler this afternoon to meet the Titans in the section opener as the Spring Sports season officially gets under way.  The starting time at Shaler is set for 3:30 pm.

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TIGERS OPEN EXHIBITION SEASON WITH 5-0 VICTORY OVER SEWICKLEY ACADEMY

The Tigers looked in mid-season form on Tuesday afternoon on the Senior High courts when they took on perennial Class AA powerhouse Sewickley Academy in the opening scrimmage of the Spring.  NA won a convincing 5-0 victory over the Panthers as they began preparations for the opening of the regular season next week.

Seniors Matt Kosovec and Matt Smith, along with freshman Jon Ho, swept the singles competition for NA.  In doubles play, the #1 team of junior Andrew Marczak and senior Sam Gill and the #2 team of senior Nick Dulac and sophomore Bennett Salvatora dominated the competition.

The Tigers will open section play on Monday when they travel to Shaler for a 3:30 pm match.

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