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SMYERS SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT TO PLAY FOR BRYANT UNIVERSITY

Senior Stephanie Smyers signed a letter of intent to play tennis for Bryant University in Rhode Island.  The announcement was made by head coach Barbara Cilli and Director of Athletics Bill Smith.

"We're excited about this recruiting class," said coach Cilli. "Not only are May (May Vickers from Colorado) and Stephanie strong students, but as athletes, they're continuing to peak in their sport. They're incredibly enthusiastic and we're looking forward to them playing a big role in our success as we continue to establish ourselves at Division I."

Smyers is a four-year letter winner in tennis and qualified for the PIAA State Championship in 2008. The 2009 team captain, she was the 2005 USTA Middle States Most Improved Player recipient and member of the USTA Zonal States 12, 14, and 16 year old teams. Recipient of the Distinguished Achievement Award and member of the National Honor Society, Smyers was the 2008 recipient of the 2008 President's Educational Award. She is currently ranked 13th in Pennsylvania by tennisrecruiting.net and ranked No. 63 in the Middle Atlantic and 417th nationally.

Bryant University, located in Smithfield, R.I., is a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) and currently in its second year of Division I competition.

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PETERS TOWNSHIP ELIMINATES LADY TIGERS, 3-2

Peters Township edged the Lady Tigers, 3-2, in the WPIAL Class AAA Quarterfinals at the Senior High courts on Wednesday afternoon.  NA won at #1 singles and #1 doubles but it was not enough as the Indians advanced to the semifinals.

At the top singles position, junior Kelly Whelan won in straight sets over Julie Stroyne, 6-2, 6-1.  At the number one doubles position, the sophomore team of Mikayla Becich and Tiffany Kollah needed three sets but downed Elizabeth Palko and Eleni Coleman, 6-2, 4-6, and 7-5.  At the number two singles, PT's Caroline Nixon came from behind to edge senior Stephanie Smyers in three sets while at the number three singles, Laura Stroyne of Peters Twp. defeated senior Amanda Maiello also in three sets.

The Lady Tigers completed a successful season despite the tough loss in the quarterfinals.  NA finished with a final overall record of 16-2  on the year.

MATCH SUMMARY
PETERS TOWNSHIP - 3  NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2

2009 WPIAL CLASS AAA TEAM TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

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

The Lady Tigers knocked off Canon-McMillan, 5-0, with a straight set victory at the Senior High courts on Tuesday afternoon.  In singles play, NA lost only six games total in sweeping the Big Macs.  Junior Kelly Whelan at #1 and senior Stephanie Smyers at #2 both won by 6-1, 6-0 scores with senior Amanda Maiello picking up a 6-1, 6-3 victory at #3.

In doubles play, the sophomore team of Mikayla Becich and Tiffany Kollah downed the Big Macs' team of Mansfield and Turschel 6-1 and 6-2.  In the number two doubles match, seniors Amy Callahan and Vaidehi Tata won a tie-breaker in the first set before taking the match with a 6-2 victory in the second set.

With the win, NA improved their record to 16-1 and advanced to the quarterfinal round this afternoon against Peters Township, a 5-0 winner over Oakland Catholic on Tuesday.  The match will be played at the Senior High courts with the starting time set for 3:00 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  CANON-McMILLAN - 0

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JV TEAM COMPLETES UNDEFEATED SEASON

The Lady Tiger JV team defeated Seneca Valley, 5-0, to complete an undefeated season.  Wins by Julie Arnold, Mara Ott and Marissa Bella at singles paced the NA victory.  The doubles teams of Ali Juliano and Anjie Wang, along with Lily Zhang and Ashita Sai Vadlmadi won their matches to complete the shutout.

The JV final record finished at 15-0 on the season.  In additon, the JV team also won the Franklin Regional Tournament beating out 32 teams in the process.

CONGRATULATIONS TO COACH RUFFOLO AND THE JVS!!!!

JUNIOR VARSITY MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  SENECA VALLEY - 0

FRANKLIN REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

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LATROBE FALLS TO LADY TIGERS, 3-2,
IN REGULAR SEASON FINALE

Latrobe gave the Lady Tigers a tough battle at Latrobe on Tuesday afternoon but NA was able to down the Wildcats, 3-2, to wrap up regular season play.  Senior Amanda Maiello won in straight sets at #3 singles with 6-0, 6-0 victories over Julia DeFabo, and both doubles teams were victorious to give the Lady Tigers the victory.

At number one doubles, the sophomore team of Mikayla Becich and Tiffany Kollah came through again with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Ali Morelli and Hannah Meyer.  At the  #2 doubles, sophomore Sunjoo Lee teamed up with senior Amy Callahan to down Regina Woloshun and Kaelyn Hill in three sets, coming from behind after a 6-4 loss in the first set.

With the win, the Lady Tigers completed the regular season with a final record of 15-1.  NA will compete in the WPIAL Team Championships beginning next week.

JV UPDATE:  The JV team improved their record to 14-0 on the season with a 5-0 victory over Latrobe.  NA will complete the season with a match at Seneca Valley this afternoon.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  LATROBE - 2

JUNIOR VARSITY MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  LATROBE - 0

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LADY TIGERS TIE FOR SECTION TITLE WITH
5-0 SHUTOUT OF NORTH HILLS

The Lady Tigers downed rival North Hills in straight sets across the board on Monday afternoon at the Senior High courts as they took a 5-0 victory.  Wins in singles play by junior Kelly Whelan along with seniors Stephanie Smyers and Amanda Maiello paced NA to the victory.  The win was the eighth consecutive victory for the Lady Tigers.

In doubles play, the sophomore team of Mikayla Becich and Tiffany Kollah won in straight sets without losing a game at the number one doubles position.  At #2, seniors Amy Callahan and Vaidehi Tata took a straight set victory over the NH team of McKenna and Rickenbrode, 6-1, 6-2.

With the win, the Lady Tigers finished section play with a final record of 13-1, good for a first place tie with Pine-Richland.  NA will complete the regular season with a trip to Latrobe this afternoon for a 3:30 pm non-section match.

JV UPDATE:  The JV team defeated North Hills, 5-0, at North Hills for the thirteenth consecutive victory without a loss!

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  NORTH HILLS - 0

JUNIOR VARSITY MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  NORTH HILLS - 0

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LADY TIGERS BLANK KNOCH, 5-0, FOR
SEVENTH STRAIGHT WIN

The Lady Tigers defeated Knoch, 5-0, losing only five games in winning their seventh consecutive match at the Lakevue Racquet Club on Friday afternoon.  Seniors Stephanie Smyers and Amanda Maiello swept the #1 and 2 matches without losing a game to pace NA.  Junior Kaitlin Harris stepped in at #3 and took a 6-1, 6-2 decision over the Knights' Gordon.

In double play, the sophomore team of Mikayla Becich and Tiffany Kollah downed the #1 Knoch team of Conlon and King, 6-1 and 6-2.  At #2 doubles, it was seniors Vaidehi Tata and Amy Callahan with a straight set victory.

With the win, the NA section record improved to 12-1.  A win against North Hills at home on Monday would give the Lady Tigers at least a share of the section title.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  KNOCH - 0

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SMYERS, MAIELLO FALL IN FIRST ROUND OF
WPIAL DOUBLES TOURNAMENT

Seniors Stephanie Smyers and Amanda Maiello were defeated by Megan Adamo and Andrea Hammer of Upper St. Clair, 10-4, in the first round of the WPIAL Doubles Championships at Norwin High School on Thursday afternoon.  The loss eliminated the NA duo from the competition.

The Lady Tiger team will play Knoch this afternoon at the Lakevue Racquet Club with match time scheduled for 3:30 pm.

WPIAL CLASS AAA
DOUBLES TOURNAMENT
Norwin High School
October 8-9, 2009

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LADY TIGERS AVENGE EARLIER LOSS WITH 3-2 VICTORY OVER PINE-RICHLAND

The Lady Tigers got a measure of revenge for their only loss of the season with a 3-2 victory over Pine-Richland at Pine-Richland on Wednesday afternoon.  Both doubles teams were victorious and a win by junior Kelly Whelan at #1 singles provided the margin of victory.

Whelan defeated Olivia Heim, 7-5, 6-4 to set the stage for the doubles teams.  At #1 doubles, senior Stephanie Smyers teamed up with senior Amanda Maiello to down the team of Perz and  Kunkel, 6-3 and 7-5.  At the number two doubles position, the sophomore team of Mikayla Becich and Tiffany Kollah knocked off the Ram team of Vetter and Riley, 6-0 and 6-1.

With the win, the NA section record improved to 11-1 in section, 12-1 overall and moved into a first place tie with the Rams.  The NA team will travel to North Hills on Monday for a 3:30 pm section match.  The doubles team of Stephanie Smyers and Amanda Maiello will play Megan Adams and Andrea Hammer of Upper St. Clair in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs this afternoon at Norwin High School.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3  PINE-RICHLAND - 2

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LADY TIGERS BEAT BUTLER, 5-0

The Lady Tigers won their fifth straight match with a 5-0 victory at Butler on Monday afternoon.  In singles play, junior Kelly Whelan along with seniors Stephanie Smyers and Amanda Maiello all won in straight sets to pace NA to the win.

In doubles play, the #1 team of sophomores Mikayla Becich and Tiffany Kollah downed the team of Kerr and Nesbitt by a 6-2, 6-3 score.  At the #2 singles, sophomore Sunjoo Lee and senior Amy Callahan needed three sets to defeat Harrison and Wieland of Butler, 6-3, 4-6, and 6-4.

With the win, NA improved to 10-1 in section play, 11-1 overall on the season.  The Lady Tigers will travel to Pine-Richland tomorrow afternoon for a key section match with the Rams with the section title on the line.  Match time is scheduled for 3:30 pm.

JV UPDATE:  The JV team finally got back on the courts after a siege of bad weather had postponed a number of matches.  The Tiger JV defeated Butler, 4-1, at the Senior High courts to remain unbeaten.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  BUTLER - 0

JUNIOR VARSITY MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  BUTLER - 1

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SMYERS, MAIELLO FALL IN SECTION DOUBLES FINAL

Seniors Stephanie Smyers and Amanda Maiello advanced to the final of the WPIAL Class AAA Section 2 Doubles Championships at the Senior High courts on Friday afternoon.  In the final, Olivia Heim and Taylor Perz of Pine-Richland defeated the NA duo, 6-1, 6-1.  Smyers and Maiello did qualify for the WPIAL Class AAA Doubles Championships next week with their second place finish.

The Lady Tiger team will travel to Butler on Monday for a section match against the Tornado.  Match time is scheduled for 3:30 pm.

WPIAL CLASS AAA
SECTION 2 DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP
North Allegheny Senior High Courts
October 1-2, 2009

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LADY TIGERS MASTER MARS, 5-0, FOR
FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN

The Lady Tigers had little trouble winning their fourth straight match with a 5-0 victory over Mars at the Lakevue Racquet Club on Wednesday afternoon.  In doubles play, both teams won in straight sets with the #1 team of sophomores Mikayla Becich and Tiffany Kollah winning without losing a game.  At the #2 doubles, sophomore Sunjoo Lee and senior Amy Callahan downed the team of Wanback and Dubrock, 6-2, 6-2.

In singles play, senior co-captain Stephanie Smyers won at #1 singles with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Craig while seniors Amanda Maiello and Vaidehi Tata took straight set wins at #2 and #3 singles.

With the win, the NA section record improved to 9-1, the overall mark to 10-1 on the year.  The section doubles tournament is scheduled to begin this afternoon at the Senior High courts with matches set to start at 1:00 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  MARS - 0

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SENECA VALLEY NO MATCH FOR LADY TIGERS
IN 5-0 SWEEP

The Lady Tigers downed Seneca Valley, 5-0, in a section match at the Lakevue Racquet Club on Tuesday afternoon.  In singles play, the NA trio of junior Kelly Whelan and seniors Amanda Maiello and Vaidehi Tata won in straight sets losing only one total game!

In doubles play, the #1 team of sophomores Mikayla Becich and Tiffany Kollah won in straight sets by 6-1 scores over the team of Garaczynski and Vukic.  In the number two doubles match, sophomore Sunjoo Lee and senior Amy Callahan had little trouble in downing Vondrak and Resch, 6-2, 6-3, to complete the sweep.

With the win, the NA section record improved to 8-1, the overall mark to 9-1 on the season.  NA will host Mars this afternoon in another section match that has been moved indoors again to the Lakevue Racquet Club.  Match time is now scheduled for 3:00 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  SENECA VALLEY - 0

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LADY TIGERS COMPLETE 4-1 VICTORY OVER HAMPTON

It took a trip indoors to the Lakevue Racquet Club on Monday afternoon, but the Lady Tigers were able to complete a 4-1 section victory over Hampton.  Junior Kelly Whelan won in straight sets at #1 singles while both doubles teams were victorious, also in straight sets, to pace NA.  Co-captain Vaidehi Tata also added a 7-5, 6-4 victory at #3 singles.

In doubles play, the sophomore team of Mikayla Becich and Tiffany Kollah knocked off the Hampton top team of Conley and Stanbridge, 6-1, 6-0.  At #2 doubles, sophomore Sunjoo Lee teamed up with senior Amy Callahan to down Franceschelli and Bongiovanni, 6-2, 6-1.

The win improved the NA section record to 7-1, the overall mark to 8-1.  The Lady Tigers will host Seneca Valley this afternoon also at the Lakevue Racquet Club.  The starting time is set for 2:30 pm.

MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4  HAMPTON - 1

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WHELAN CAPTURES BRONZE MEDAL
IN WPIAL SINGLES COMPETITION

Junior Kelly Whelan defeated Sara Perelman of Shady Side Academy to take third place at the WPIAL Class AAA Singles Championships at Norwin High School on Friday.  In the championship match, Ronit Yurovsky of Plum upset defending champion Joelle Kissell of Latrobe, 6-3, 6-2.

The Lady Tigers will meet Hampton this afternoon at Lakevue Racquet Club as they complete their match that was started last Monday.  Tomorrow afternoon, the Lady Tigers will host Seneca Valley in another section match.  That match has also been rescheduled for the Lakevue Racquet Club with the starting time set for 2:30 pm

MATCH RESULTS
WPIAL CLASS AAA SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
Norwin High School, September 24-25, 2009

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WHELAN DEFEATED IN WPIAL SEMIFINALS

Junior Kelly Whelan won a pair of matches on Thursday afternoon at Norwin High School to advance to the semifinals of the WPIAL Class AAA Singles Championships.  In the semis, Whelan was defeated by Joelle Kissell of Latrobe, 6-1 and 6-2.

In the first round, Whelan downed Carly Schoenstein of Bethel Park, 10-1 before knocking off Julie Stroyne of Peters Township, 11-10 (7-2) in the quarterfinals.  Because of the length of the match, Whelan was given extra time before the semifinal against Kissell.  Last year, Whelan was also eliminated in the semifinals losing to Ronit Yurofsky of Plum. 

Whelan will face Sara Perelman of Shady Side Academy this afternoon in the consolation match at Norwin.  In the final, Kissell will meet Yurofsky.  Both matches are scheduled for a 2:30 pm start.

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WHELAN TAKES SECTION SINGLES TITLE

For the second consecutive year, junior Kelly Whelan won the WPIAL Class AAA Section 2 Singles Championship.  In the final, Whelan defeated Olivia Heim of Pine-Richland, 6-1, 6-1, to take the title.  Whelan finished as the runnerup as a freshman.  Senior Stephanie Smyers was defeated in the consolation match for third place by Taylor Perz of Pine-Richland, 6-4 and 6-2.  Whelan will advance to the WPIAL Class AAA Singles tournament next week along with Olivia Heim and Taylor Perz on Pine-Richland.

The Lady Tigers team will host Hampton on Monday afternoon at the Senior High courts.  Match time is scheduled for 3:30 pm.

JV UPDATE:  The JV team continued to roll as they won their 11th straight without a loss with a 5-0 victory at Sewickley Academy on Friday afternoon.

SECTION 2-AAA SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
NA Senior High courts

JUNIOR VARSITY MATCH SUMMARY
NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5  SEWICKLEY ACADEMY - 0

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2009 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/loss record.  Teams that tie for first place will not have the tie broken, and ALL of the tied teams will be declared section champions.  All of the teams 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.

In the event of a multiple team 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 tie-breaking 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 that they have six players ready to play.  If one team has six players and the opponent has seven, the third singles match is forfeited and all other matches play.  If both teams have only six players, play will be at first and second singles and both doubles.  If the 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 tie-breaker.

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.  If injury or illness should occur before a match the player will be "moved up" to the next highest position in the lineup and the substitute player will take the lowest spot remaining.  Forfeits will be awarded only in case of injuries or illness after a match has started.  Once THE WRITTEN LINE-UP has been presented, the same players must play at these positions.  Inability of a competitor to play will result in a forfeit.

Scoring will be traditional - the best of three sets.  If the score reaches "six-all" in any set, a twelve-point tie-breaker 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, the 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 decision to move championship tournament indoors on each scheduled date if inclement weather prevails.

2009 GIRLS' TENNIS ALIGNMENT - CLASS AAA (37 TEAMS)

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