Girls' Tennis News

by: Dom Gliozzi

The Section 2 champion North Allegheny Tigers continued their winning ways with their 13^th straight victory in a 5-0 shutout of Norwin to open the first round of the WPIAL 3A Team Championships on the NASH courts Monday afternoon.  Drawing the third seed in the tournament, the Tigers started quickly against the Knights, and the relentless pressure produced five, straight-set victories.   Sophomore Samantha Leeman took the second singles competition by 6-0, 6-0 scores from playing a sharp return game while also setting up winners with a strong first serve percentage.  Junior Mia Kaufman at third singles dropped only one game in her match and provided the clinching team point.  The second doubles tandem of senior Remi Hayward and junior Medha Thirumala fashioned a picture-perfect result with their own 6-0, 6-0 victory.  Rounding out play, first doubles, with sophomore Ruoxi Bai and freshman Sophia Yu lost only one game during another dominant performance.

The Lady of the Match honors go to freshman Winni Hayward, who not only recorded the first team point but also set the tone for the Tigers the rest of the way.  Using a strong and well placed first serve and an assortment of cross court shots, Hayward set up her winners both tactically and artistically, putting on an exhibition in her 6-0, 6-0 win.

The Tigers improve to 15-1 overall on the season and continue playoff competition this Wednesday at home in the WPIAL Quarterfinals against the winner of the Peters Township-Thomas Jefferson matchup.  Play is scheduled to begin at 3 PM on the NASH courts.

Girls Tennis Summary vs. Norwin, 10-12-26

MATCH SUMMARY	NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5 NORWIN - 0
Singles
#1	Winni Hayward (NA) def. Bayleigh Vilage (N)	6-0, 6-0
#2	Sammy Leeman (NA) def. Sofia Thomas (N)	6-0, 6-0
#3	Mia Kaufman (NA) def. Bella Farrah (N)	6-1, 6-0
Doubles
#1	Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA) def. Nora Fedor/Vanessa Halaszynski (N)	6-0, 6-1
#2	Remi Hayward/Medha Thirumala (NA) def. Kayley Kelly/Ava Yanizeski (N)	6-0, 6-0