Girls' Tennis News

by: Dom Gliozzi

The 3A WPIAL Consolation match was more than a third-place battle, as the winner would advance to the PIAA State Tournament next week.  With such high stakes on the line, third-seeded North Allegheny defeated fourth-seeded Upper St. Clair (at Sewickley Academy) on Wednesday afternoon by a 3-2 decision.  The Tigers took the requisite three team points before Upper St. Clair was able to record their two points, thus clinching the match.

Freshman Winni Hayward was able to set the tone with the first point at one singles, winning in a dominant performance, 6-0, 6-1.   Junior Mia Kaufman took the first set at third singles without losing a game.  The second set was more of a struggle, as Kaufman had to play catch-up after falling behind 4-3.  The catch-up poured quickly as she fashioned a service break, a hold, and another break to take the set and contest, 6-4.  Clinching the match for North Allegheny was the second doubles team of senior Remi Hayward and junior Medha Thirumala who jumped out early in both sets to take a convincing 6-2, 6-1 decision.  Following the clincher, first doubles and second singles battled with grace and dignity but could not claw back into their matches.

The Lady of the Match honors go to the entire Tigers team who will carry a 17-2 mark into the PIAA 3A Team Tournament, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 27.  As District 7’s third-place team, the Tigers will take on the winner of District 6, Hollidaysburg, next Tuesday at a time and site to be determined.

Girls Tennis Summary vs. Upper St. Clair, 10-21-26

MATCH SUMMARY	NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3 UPPER ST. CLAIR - 2
Singles
#1	Winni Hayward (NA) def. Lily Angus (USC)	6-0, 6-1
#2	Leila Hamade (USC) def. Sammy Leeman (NA)	6-4, 6-3
#3	Mia Kaufman (NA) def. Sara Telang (USC)	6-0, 6-4
Doubles
#1	Catalina Ramirez/Ahana Mendhi (USC) def. Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA)	6-1, 6-3
#2	Remi Hayward/Medha Thirumala (NA) def. Nanako Kusumoto/Brooke Marsh (USC)	6-2, 6-1