Tigers win third straight in shutout of Montour
by: Dom Gliozzi
After four consecutive road matches, the Tigers returned to the friendly courts of NASH and found the conditions to their liking as they won their third straight match in a 5-0 shutout of Montour.
The first team point came courtesy of freshman Winni Hayward at number one singles, as she shut out her Spartan opponent in straight sets. Rebounding from a series of setbacks earlier in the week, Hayward regained her dominant form to set the standard for the team win against a section opponent. The second point came from second doubles, to be noted later. The third and clinching point was delivered from junior tri-captain Mia Kaufman at third singles who put on another clinic with her cross court groundstrokes and strong serves in her 6-1, 6-1 win. Sophomore tri-captain Sammy Leeman also conducted a workshop as she pitched a 6-0, 6-0 shutout. Using strong service returns, she limited her opponent’s time and space to set up her winners. The fifth point came from sophomore Ruoxi Bai and freshman Sophia Yu at number one doubles, taking a 6-0, 6-1 win.
Second doubles provided the Ladies of the Match honors, as junior veteran Medha Thirumala teamed up with junior Alexa Richey. Richey, the “swing lady” on the team, jumped in seamlessly at the last moment for an injured teammate and worked well with Thirumala in a pinch to dominate 6-0, 6-1. She wrapped up the doubles contest with a previously untested one-handed backhand for the match point!
The 5-1 Tigers (2-0 in section play) take a well-deserved break for the long Labor Day weekend and return to action next Tuesday. They travel to Mars for another section match, this one against the Fightin’ Planets. Match time is scheduled for 3:30 PM.
Girls Tennis Summary vs. Montour, 9-3-26
| MATCH SUMMARY | NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5 MONTOUR - 0 | |
|---|---|---|
| SINGLES | ||
| #1 | Winni Hayward (NA) def. Ahlaya Sonson (M) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| #2 | Sammy Leeman (NA) def. Paige Masilunas (M) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| #3 | Mia Kaufman (NA) def. Hannah Freedman (M) | 6-1, 6-1 |
| DOUBLES | ||
| #1 | Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA) def. Mea DelBianco/Addison Blinn (M) | 6-0, 6-1 |
| #2 | Medha Thirumala/Alexa Richey (NA) def. Samantha Bryan/Lucy Fleck (M) | 6-0, 6-1 |
