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 |
