2026-2027 Game Summaries
Tigers win third straight in shutout of Montour
by: Dom Gliozzi
After four consecutive road matches, the Tigers returned to the friendly courts of NASH and found the conditions to their liking as they won their third straight match in a 5-0 shutout of Montour.
The first team point came courtesy of freshman Winni Hayward at number one singles, as she shut out her Spartan opponent in straight sets. Rebounding from a series of setbacks earlier in the week, Hayward regained her dominant form to set the standard for the team win against a section opponent. The second point came from second doubles, to be noted later. The third and clinching point was delivered from junior tri-captain Mia Kaufman at third singles who put on another clinic with her cross court groundstrokes and strong serves in her 6-1, 6-1 win. Sophomore tri-captain Sammy Leeman also conducted a workshop as she pitched a 6-0, 6-0 shutout. Using strong service returns, she limited her opponent’s time and space to set up her winners. The fifth point came from sophomore Ruoxi Bai and freshman Sophia Yu at number one doubles, taking a 6-0, 6-1 win.
Second doubles provided the Ladies of the Match honors, as junior veteran Medha Thirumala teamed up with junior Alexa Richey. Richey, the “swing lady” on the team, jumped in seamlessly at the last moment for an injured teammate and worked well with Thirumala in a pinch to dominate 6-0, 6-1. She wrapped up the doubles contest with a previously untested one-handed backhand for the match point!
The 5-1 Tigers (2-0 in section play) take a well-deserved break for the long Labor Day weekend and return to action next Tuesday. They travel to Mars for another section match, this one against the Fightin’ Planets. Match time is scheduled for 3:30 PM.
Girls Tennis Summary vs. Montour, 9-3-26
| MATCH SUMMARY | NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5 MONTOUR - 0 | |
|---|---|---|
| SINGLES | ||
| #1 | Winni Hayward (NA) def. Ahlaya Sonson (M) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| #2 | Sammy Leeman (NA) def. Paige Masilunas (M) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| #3 | Mia Kaufman (NA) def. Hannah Freedman (M) | 6-1, 6-1 |
| DOUBLES | ||
| #1 | Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA) def. Mea DelBianco/Addison Blinn (M) | 6-0, 6-1 |
| #2 | Medha Thirumala/Alexa Richey (NA) def. Samantha Bryan/Lucy Fleck (M) | 6-0, 6-1 |
Tigers beat Fox Chapel, 4-1
by: Dom Gliozzi
The Lady Tigers packed their bags for the third consecutive day and trekked back to the northeast suburbs again, this time to battle another Section 3 opponent in Fox Chapel. Battling both the 101 degree heat index and the talented Foxes, the Tigers came out on top by a 4-1 score.
Securing the first team point, the first doubles tandem of sophomore Ruoxi Bai and freshman Sophia Yu raced out to a fast, 6-0 first set win and followed that up with another 6-0 set over Victoria Pfendler and Chloe Classen. For setting the tone and providing early energy to the rest of the Tigers, Bai and Yu receive Ladies of the Match honors! Second doubles turned in the second point as senior Remi Hayward and junior Medha Thirumala posted a polished 6-2, 6-2 victory featuring more collaborative teamwork.
The third and clinching point flowed off the racket of sophomore Sammy Leeman for the second consecutive match, as the second singles specialist produced a high-quality, 6-2, 6-0 win. Rounding out the winners for the Tigers was junior Mia Kaufman at three singles who turned in solid execution of her game plan while battling the elements for her 6-2, 6-2 win. First singles was the lone trouble spot, where freshman Winni Hayward ran across Fox Chapel’s talented number one, junior Clara Drahnak, who displayed a well-rounded game in her two set victory.
The 4-1 Tigers (1-0 in section play) return home to Wexford on Thursday to resume section play against Montour. Match time against the Spartans is at 3:30 PM on the NASH courts.
Girls Tennis Summary at Fox Chapel, 9-2-26
| MATCH SUMMARY | NORTH ALLEGHENY - 4 FOX CHAPEL - 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| SINGLES | ||
| #1 | Clara Drahnak (FC) def. Winni Hayward (NA) | 6-3, 6-2 |
| #2 | Sammy Leeman (NA) def. Maya Vyas (FC) | 6-2, 6-0 |
| #3 | Mia Kaufman (NA) def. RIno Terai (FC) | 6-2, 6-2 |
| DOUBLES | ||
| #1 | Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA) def. Victoria Pfendler/Chloe Classen (FC) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| #2 | Remi Hayward/Medha Thirumala (NA) def. Emma Brady Porter/Sarah Snyder (FC) | 6-2, 6-2 |
Tigers open section play with shutout of Moon
by: Dom Gliozzi
The North Allegheny Tigers traveled to the Moon Area (via NA ground transport through Coraopolis) Tuesday afternoon to face their counterpart Tigers in the opening match of Section 2 play. The longest and most powerful roars came from the NA Tigers who defeated Moon Area 5-0, with each match decided in two sets and by 6-0 scores for each set.
The dominant performance by all seven starters was a good benchmark for demonstrating North Allegheny’s depth as the regular season unfolds. Playing at Moon Park and dealing with a high heat index and noisy jets approaching Pittsburgh International Airport, NA’s ladies played with precision, poise and conviction. They also demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship to their Tiger opponents who kindly reciprocated. The starters, Winni Hayward (1 singles), Samantha Leeman (2 singles), Mia Kaufman (3 singles), Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (1 doubles) and Remi Hayward/Medha Thirumala (2nd doubles) set the tone from first to last point.
Lady of the Match honors go to super speedy sophomore and 2 singles specialist, Sammy Leeman, the tri-captain whose prodigious energy propelled her teammates back to the win column after Monday’s setback.
The 3–1 Tigers (1-0 in section play) travel to Fox Chapel Wednesday afternoon to take on another 3A powerhouse, the Fox Chapel Foxes, in an exhibition contest. The starting time is scheduled for 3:30 PM.
Girls Tennis Summary at Moon, 9-1-26
| MATCH SUMMARY | NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5 MOON - 0 | |
|---|---|---|
| SINGLES | ||
| #1 | Winni Hayward (NA) def. Evelyn Wise (MA) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| #2 | Sammy Leeman (NA) def. Vita Hazen (MA) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| #3 | Mia Kaufman (NA) def. Kelsey Shirey (MA) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| DOUBLES | ||
| #1 | Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA) def. Scarlet Eubanks/Kritika Singh (MA) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| #2 | Remi Hayward/Medha Thirumala (NA) def. Ella Stephenson/Anne Zorne (MA) | 6-0, 6-0 |
Tigers suffer first loss at Shady Side Academy
by: Dom Gliozzi
North Allegheny navigated the northeast suburbs of Pittsburgh to reach Shady Side Academy for an early season showdown with the defending WPIAL 3A Team Champions. When the balls stopped bouncing, the Bulldogs defeated the Tigers by a 4-1 margin. All three singles players, junior Mia Kaufman, sophomore Sammy Leeman, and freshman Winni Hayward competed well in the individual games but fell in two-set matches. Each of the three Tigers players stretched their abilities but could not find the winning combinations they needed.
The two doubles teams split play and offered the most spirited contests of the day. The number one squad of sophomore Ruoxi Bai and freshman Sophia Yu lost two close sets by the same narrow 6-4 margin. A mix of winners combined with unforced errors made for a see-saw match that ultimately tipped in their opponents’ direction.
The Ladies of the Match honors go to senior tri-captain Remi Hayward and junior Medha Thirumala who won a three-set thriller against Shady Side’s number two doubles team of Elena Rubinov and Elizabeth Butera. After giving up the first set by a single service break, 4-6, Hayward and Thirumala stormed back immediately to dominate the second set 6-1. With the contest hanging in the balance, the NA second doubles duo was buoyed by the spirted cheers of their teammates. The result was a clinching set win of 6-2 that was highlighted by superb play including strong serves and returns mixed with excellent volleys, lobs, and a few well-timed half volleys. The doubles win rounded out the day for the Tigers.
The 2-1 Tigers return to action Tuesday afternoon for their first Section 2 match as they take on their mirror opponents, the Tigers of Moon Area School District, at Moon Park. The starting time is scheduled for 3:30 PM.
Girls Tennis Summary at Shady Side Academy, 8-31-26
| MATCH SUMMARY | SHADY SIDE ACADEMY - 4 NORTH ALLEGHENY - 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| SINGLES | ||
| #1 | Meriwether McCargo (SSA) def. Winni Haywrd (NA) | 6-1, 6-0 |
| #2 | Brooke Henderson (SSA) def. Sammy Leeman (NA) | 6-1, 6-1 |
| #3 | Cassie Lapina (SSA) def. Mia Kaufman (NA) | 6-3, 6-1 |
| DOUBLES | ||
| #1 | Alex Martel/Merielle Hooker (SSA) def. Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA) | 6-4, 6-4 |
| #2 | Remi Hayward/Meha Thirumala (NA) def. Elena Rubinov/Elizabeth Butera (SSA) | 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 |
Tigers post second straight shutout, beat Peters Township
by: Dom Gliozzi
On their first road match of the season, the Tigers traveled the I-79 corridor to the world of Washington County tennis, facing off against the Peters Township Indians, a perennial WPIAL contender. The road less traveled did not provide any obstacles for the Tigers in their second straight 3A exhibition contest, as they prevailed 5-0, with each match-up decided in straight sets. The first match was once again completed at number one singles, where freshman Winni Hayward turned in a dominant performance against Peters’ #1, a southpaw. Hayward played the match adhering to her own pace and strengths, and the results showed due to her fine balance of power and touch. The second team point came from the number two singles line, where tri-captain sophomore Sammy Leeman did a masterful job of adjusting on the fly, especially with her serve and service returns, to put together another straight set conquest. The modifications along with her speed were the deciding factors. At this point, the two doubles teams vied for match clinching honors, and the number one doubles team of sophomore Ruoxi Bai and freshman Sophia Yu sealed the deal for the Tigers. They squeaked past their teammates by a matter of seconds. More importantly, the duo put together better communications and a touch more familiarity with each other’s tendencies, the appropriate formula to achieve their key win and the team win.
The fourth point quickly followed from two doubles, where senior tri-captain Remi Hayward and junior Medha Thirumala moved about the court methodically and with precision as a formidable combo. They demonstrated ‘court smarts’ along with a mature, workmanlike approach to their game which will serve them well as the season progresses. The fifth point came from junior tri-captain Mia Kaufman, at number three singles, who found her winning strokes after an early self-analysis. Rounding out the day, junior Mehar Jain and freshman Claire Huang made their varsity debut in an exhibition doubles match and took their set 6-0. Also playing her initial varsity contest was sophomore Cora Gill, who took a 6-0 decision in her exhibition singles set.
Lady of the Match honors go to junior tri-captain Mia Kaufman who took her number three singles contest by set scores of 6-2, 6-1. Falling behind early in the first set at 1-2, Kaufman decided to play her game, using her strong skills, and won five straight games to take the set. Using that new-found confidence, she took the second set quickly and forcibly, using a dominant serve to clinch her win.
The 2-0 Tigers return to action Monday as they travel to Shady Side Academy for another exhibition contest, this time with the defending 3A WPIAL Champions. Match time is scheduled for 4:15 PM.
Girls Tennis Summary at Peters Township, 8-28-26
| MATCH SUMMARY | NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5 UPPER ST. CLAIR - 0 | |
|---|---|---|
| SINGLES | ||
| #1 | Winni Hayward (NA) def. Neve Zuzek (PT) | 6-1, 6-0 |
| #2 | Sammy Leeman (NA) def. Lexi Ward (PT) | 6-1, 6-2 |
| #3 | Mia Kaufman (NA) def. Elise Hassan (PT) | 6-2, 6-1 |
| DOUBLES | ||
| #1 | Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA) def. Sashrika Sharma/Eliana Ebert (PT) | 6-2, 6-1 |
| #2 | Remi Hayward/Medha Thirumala (NA) def. Alice Hospodar/Sabrina Dechicchis (PT) | 6-2, 6-2 |
