2026-2027 Game Summaries
Tigers lose 3-2 thriller in WPIAL Semifinals
by: Dom Gliozzi
North Allegheny battled Bethel Park in the WPIAL 3A Team Semifinals Monday afternoon at Chartiers Valley and saw their 14 match winning streak halted in a close and suspenseful contest, falling 3-2. The second-seeded Blackhawks and third-seeded Tigers lived up to their WPIAL billings and delivered high quality matches that led to an exciting finish. Freshman Winni Hayward, the third-place finisher at WPIAL Singles took on senior Cami Fisher, the second-place finisher from the WPIAL, at one singles. In this case the experienced veteran beat the rookie, 6-2, 6-0 to take the first team point. Quickly following, North Allegheny’s junior tri-captain Mia Kaufman defeated Hadley Murello at three singles, 6-1, 6-1, to even the score at one apiece. Second doubles then gave NA a 2-1 lead with a straight set victory.
The competition then came down to the two matches that remained contested, first doubles and second singles. The first doubles team of sophomore Ruoxi Bai and freshman Sophia Yu battled in an intense first set with Cassie Sierka and Julia Ross. In a see saw affair that saw the Tigers with two chances to serve for the set, the BP veterans rallied to force a tiebreaker at 6-6. Again, Tiger chances fell by the wayside in the tiebreak, 6-8, and Bethel Park took the second set at 6-1 to even the team score, 2-2. At this point, all eyes turned to second singles where sophomore tri-captain Sammy Leeman challenged Mackenzie Smock in an epic dual. Trading service breaks in the first set, Smock gained one more and fashioned a 6-4 win. Trailing 4-2 in the second, Leeman produced her best two games of the season with an incredible service hold to creep back in at 3-4. With plenty of courage and determination, along with great “gets” based off her speed, Leeman put together an intense and immense break that tied the set at 4. Needing to repeat the cycle was a tall order, and Smock broke for a 5-4 lead and then served out the set at 6-4 to win the match for Bethel Park.
The Ladies of the Match honors rest with second doubles, where senior tri-captain Remi Hayward and junior Medha Thirumala set the tone early and convincingly for the Tigers. With excellent teamwork and dogged determination, the veteran duo handed Mia Hogue and Reese Coleman a 6-1, 6-2 defeat.
The Tigers carry a 16-2 mark into the WPIAL Third-Place Consolation Match on Wednesday, October 21, against Upper St. Clair. The winner will claim the third and final WPIAL entry into the PIAA 3A Team Tournament, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 27. Wednesday’s play is scheduled to start 3 PM at Sewickley Academy.
Girls Tennis Summary vs. Bethel Park, 10-19-26
| MATCH SUMMARY | BETHEL PARK - 3 NORTH ALLEGHENY - 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | ||
| #1 | Cami Fisher (BP) def. Winni Hayward (NA) | 6-2, 6-0 |
| #2 | Mackenzie Smock (BP) def. Sammy Leeman (NA) | 6-4, 6-4 |
| #3 | Mia Kaufman (NA) def. Hadley Murello (BP) | 6-1, 6-1 |
| Doubles | ||
| #1 | Cassie Sierka/Julia Ross (BP) def. Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA) | 7-6 (6), 6-0 |
| #2 | Remi Hayward/Medha Thirumala (NA) def. Mia Hogue/Reese Coleman (BP) | 6-1, 6-2 |
Tigers reach WPIAL Semifinals; blank Peters Township
by: Dom Gliozzi
North Allegheny sustained their winning ways with their 14th straight victory in a 5-0 shutout of Peters Township in the quarterfinal round of the WPIAL 3A Team Championships at NASH Thursday afternoon. The combination of straight set victories in each scoring line propelled the Tigers to the upcoming WPIAL Semifinals. The sixth-seed and talented Indians, led by veteran coach Brandt Bowman, pushed the Tigers strongly in both doubles matches. In each case, the North Allegheny duos fought their way through the adversity to record their wins.
At second doubles, senior Remi Hayward and junior Medha Thirumala found themselves down a break consistently in the first set. Battling from a 4-5 deficit, they evened the match at 5 apiece before closing out the set with two more wins. They then went on to dominate the second set 6-0 with outstanding ground strokes and excellent service returns, all cheered on by a vociferous and appreciative home crowd. At first doubles, sophomore Ruoxi Bai and freshman Sophia Yu found similar resistance but fashioned together enough winners to take their sets at 6-3, 6-4. Great “gets” by Bai and pinpoint smashes by Yu were the key in the second set.
The Lady of the Match honors go to all three singles players who fashioned forceful wins. Freshman Winni Hayward, sophomore Sammy Leeman, and junior Mia Kaufman provided the triple wallop that set the tone and direction of the match at first, second, and third singles, respectively. Hayward was off the courts first after combining outstanding volleys and forceful cross-court winners with her ground strokes in a 6-0, 6-1 attack-mode win. Kaufman trailed Hayward’s victory by a mere ten seconds, also 6-0, 6-1, with an uncanny base-line patience that drew her opponent in, only to be fooled by pin-point passing shots. The clinching point was provided by Leeman who utilized a convincing and precise first serve and a pounding, pulsating, punishing forehand that set up her numerous winners in a 6-2, 6-0 match.
The Tigers carry a 16-1 mark into the WPIAL Semifinals on Monday, October 19, against the winner of the quarterfinal Fox Chapel-Bethel Park matchup. Play is scheduled to begin at 3 PM at a site to be determined.
Girls Tennis Summary vs. Peters Township, 10-15-26
| MATCH SUMMARY | NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5 PETERS TOWNSHIP - 0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Singles | ||
| #1 | Winni Hayward (NA) def. Neve Zuzek (PT) | 6-0, 6-1 |
| #2 | Sammy Leeman (NA) def. Elise Hassan (PT) | 6-2, 6-0 |
| #3 | Mia Kaufman (NA) def. Alice Hospodar (PT) | 6-0, 6-1 |
| Doubles | ||
| #1 | Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA) def. Molly Barry/Sashrika Sharma (PT) | 6-3, 6-4 |
| #2 | Remi Hayward/Medha Thirumala (NA) def. Sabrina DeChicchis/Eliana Ebert (PT) | 7-5, 6-0 |
Tigers shutout Norwin, advance to WPIAL Quarterfinals
by: Dom Gliozzi
The Section 2 champion North Allegheny Tigers continued their winning ways with their 13th 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 |
Kaufman and Leeman Take Home Bronze at WPIAL Doubles
by: Dom Gliozzi
A second trip to Bethel Park in two days turned out to be the sweetest ingredient in the recipe for success for junior Mia Kaufman and sophomore Sammy Leeman. The second day of the 3A WPIAL Doubles Championship play featured a first-place match and a third-place contest that highlighted the Tigers. As the tournament’s third seeds, Kaufman and Leeman faced off against the fifth-seeded duo of Upper St. Clair, Catalina Ramirez and Lily Angus.
Jumping out to an early lead enabled Kaufman and Leeman to control play. Battling both the wind and their USC opponents, the Tigers’ duo generated quality tennis in all phases of their doubles match. Their serves, returns, and volleys were carried out with precision and high energy throughout the match. The result was a straight set 6-2, 6-3 decision for the Tigers, earning them a bronze medal in the 2026 WPIAL Doubles competition.
This strong performance placed Kaufman and Leeman in the third and final PIAA qualifying spot from the WPIAL for the 2026 season. They will begin play as District 7’s third entrant in Hershey, PA, starting on Friday, November 6 at 2 PM against the PIAA District 1 champions. (To be determined.) Congratulations to Mia and Sammy!
Tigers compete at WPIAL Doubles; Kaufman/Leeman reach WPIAL Semifinals
by: Dom Gliozzi
The first day of the WPIAL’s Class 3A Girls’ Tennis Doubles Championships took place at Bethel Park High School on Wednesday, and the two Tigers teams performed well. The Tigers second team and third place finishers at Section 2 doubles, senior Remi Hayward and junior Medha Thirumala put their No. 8 seed on the line against Indiana’s ninth-seeded, Lila Dubetsky and Sophiana Sidikou. In a knockdown affair that saw numerous breaks and momentum swings, the Tigers could not convert several match points and found themselves in a tie-breaker to decide the set. After watching the Tigers pull to within 4-5, the Indians pushed through the final two tie-break points and took a narrow 11-10 (7-4) win over the Tigers.
North Allegheny’s first entry and the tournament’s #3 seed, junior Mia Kaufman and sophomore Sammy Leeman took the courts by storm in their first two matches. The Section 2 Doubles Champions beat Canon-McMillan’s #14 seed and Mt. Lebanon’s #11 seed, each by identical 10-4 scores. This set the stage for a fantastic semi-final match-up with Bethel Park’s second-seeded Mackenzie Smock and Cassie Sierka. The Bethel Park seniors took the first set in a close 6-4 fashion. Fighting right back with power serves, pinpoint returns, and superb volleys and intelligent lobs, Kaufman and Leeman pulled off a role reversal, 6-4 second-set win. The Tigers fell behind early in the third and deciding set, too far to recover, and were closed out 0-6.
The finals and third-place consolation match will take place at 1 PM at Bethel Park High School on Thursday. Bethel Park will tangle with Shady Side Academy in the championship match. The third-place contest will pit NA’s Kaufman and Leeman versus Upper St. Clair’s fifth-seeded Catalina Ramirez and Lily Angus. This contest will determine the third and final PIAA doubles qualifier from the WPIAL for the 2026 season.
