Girls' Tennis Game Summaries

by: Girls Tennis Contributor

North Allegheny continued their quest for a state championship on Friday afternoon taking on the District 1 champions in Lower Merion. The Tigers would fall just short of the state championship with a 3-0 loss to Lower Merion.

Winni Hayward fell at No. 1 singles against Jasmine Taylor 2-6, 0-6 in a hard hitting match. Samantha Leeman was defeated by Eden Amolik 2-6, 1-6 in a match that was closer than the score indicates. Mia Kaufman was upended at No. 3 singles 2-6, 0-6.

Playing their best match of the season, North Allegheny’s number one doubles team of Ruoxi Bai and Sophia Yu were up 6-1, 3-1 when the match was ended. NA’s second doubles team, who was undefeated in dual match play this season, Remi Hayward and Medha Thirumala were down a set, but up a break in the second set when the match was called.

It was a tremendous year for the 19-3 girls varsity tennis team. They were undefeated in section play, won both section singles and doubles, reached the WPIAL and PIAA Semifinals. While the team season is over, there is still hardware to win on the individual side. Winni Hayward will play in the PIAA Singles Championships while Mia Kaufman and Samantha Leeman are headed to the PIAA Doubles Championships next weekend in Hershey.

by: Boys Tennis Contributor

North Allegheny traveled to the Hershey Raquet Club to take on Downingtown East in the PIAA Quarterfinals on Friday afternoon. NA won 3-2 to advance to the PIAA Semifinals

Winni Heyward won in a walkover as her opponent at number one singles was injured.

Sammy Leeman clinched the match in dramatic fashion with a score of 3-6,6-3,6-1 victory over Mahita Chauhan

Mia Kaufman lost 1-6, 6-7 (2-7) at thirds singles vs. Joya Mentrikoski.

Ruoxi Bia and Sophia Yu fell at number one doubles to an excellent team Maya Shankar and Emily Lin 4-6, 3-6

Finally the undefeated second doubles team of Remi Heyward and Medha Thuirumala won 6-4,6-2 vs Emily Tao and Saumya Srinvas

North Allegheny advances to the PIAA Semifinals where they will take on Lower Merion at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. If the Tigers win that match, they will take part in the PIAA Championship at 6 p.m.

Girls Tennis Summary vs. Downingtown East, 10-30-26

MATCH SUMMARY	NORTH ALLEGHENY - 3 DOWNINGTOWN EAST - 2
Singles
#1	Winni Hayward (NA) def. Mahi Patel (DE)	injury
#2	Samantha Leeman (NA) def. Mahita Chauhan (DE)	3-6, 6-3, 6-1
#3	Joya Mentrikoski (DE) def. Mia Kaufman (NA)	6-1, 7-6(2)
Doubles
#1	Maya Shankar/Emily Lin (DE) def. Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA)	6-4, 6-3
#2	Remi Hayward/Medha Thirumala (NA) def. Emily Tao/Saumya Srinivas (DE)	6-4, 6-2

by: Dom Gliozzi

With a trip to Hershey on the line, the North Allegheny Tigers dominated Hollidaysburg in the first round of the PIAA 3A Girls’ Team Tournament with a 4-1 victory in Altoona, PA, Tuesday evening at the Gorilla House Gym.  The Tigers exacted sweet revenge as they fell to Hollidaysburg in the same round last season in a 3-2 heartbreaker.  This year’s performance by the Tigers left little room for doubt, as they marched out to a commanding 2-0 lead in early play.  Freshman Winni Hayward showed why she is a PIAA Singles qualifier by beating Grace Muriceak at first singles without losing a game, 6-0, 6-0.  Junior Mia Kaufman, who continued the intense pressure, defeated Emma Moritz at third singles, also by a 6-0, 6-0 margin.  Sophomore Sammy Leeman suffered a setback at second singles in a very competitive match to Crosby Denis, but that only set the stage for outstanding doubles play with the Tigers still ahead 2-1.

Sophomore Ruoxi Bai and freshman Sophia Yu locked horns with Taylor Eardley and Rina Stiffler early in the first set but pulled away to take it 6-2.  The second doubles team of senior Remi Hayward and junior Medha Thirumala also took a 6-2 first set against Olivia Panaro and Brooklyn Klingner.   As doubles play captivated the audience and the match was still in the balance, Bai and Yu sped past their opponents 6-3 in the second set to claim the third team point and clinch the match for the Tigers.  Wrapping the ribbon on the present, Hayward and Thirumala finished play decisively with a 6-3 decision in the second set to forge the final 4-1 team score.

The Lady of the Match honors go to the entire Tigers team who will carry an 18-2 mark into the PIAA 3A Team Quarterfinals against Downingtown East.  The Tigers will play the Cougars on Friday, October 30, at 4PM at the Hershey Racquet Club.  Downingtown East finished second in District 1 (Philadelphia suburbs) while North Allegheny finished third in District 7 (WPIAL). This will be the Tigers first appearance in Hershey in four seasons, when they tangled with Unionville in the quarterfinal round.

Girls Tennis Summary vs. Hollidaysburg, 10-27-26

MATCH SUMMARY	NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4 HOLLIDAYSBURG - 1
Singles
#1	Winni Hayward (NA) def. Grace Muriceak (H)	6-0, 6-0
#2	Crosby Denis (H) def. Sammy Leeman (NA)	6-3, 6-3
#3	Mia Kaufman (NA) def. Emma Moritz (H)	6-0, 6-0
Doubles
#1	Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA) def. Taylor Eardley/Rina Stiffler (H)	6-2, 6-3
#2	Remi Hayward/Medha Thirumala (NA) def. Olivia Panaro/Brooklyn Klingner (H)	6-2, 6-3

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

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