Tigers win fourth straight in section shutout of Mars
by: Dom Gliozzi
North Allegheny embarked on another inter-galactic road trip Tuesday afternoon, this time to the Mars Area School District to encounter the Fighting Planets. The Tigers defeated Mars 5-0 in a resumption of Section 2 play by taking all matches in straight sets against their ‘extraterrestrial’ opponents.
Starting off the win column for the Tigers was freshman number one singles maven, Winni Hayward, who controlled action from the start in her 6-0, 6-0 match. She used her impressive skill set in a variety of shots that put her versatile game on display. Second singles was once more dominated by sophomore tri-captain Sammy Leeman, who came up with the match clincher in another 6-0, 6-0 win, and her fourth consecutive triumph.
Senior tri-captain Remi Hayward returned from a nagging injury to join her partner, junior Medha Thirumala, at number two doubles in a workmanlike 6-0, 6-0 win. One doubles carved out the fifth team point from sophomore Ruoxi Bai and freshman Sophia Yu, who continued to work on their evolution into a solid combination with a 6-0, 6-1 victory.
Third singles provided the Lady of the Match honors, as junior tri-captain Mia Kaufman clinched the match with another forceful exhibition of service games and smart service returns, particularly her backhand. Convincingly using her other-worldly serve, Kaufman’s perfectly placed high tosses were met with unmatched racquet speed and the results were rocket shots that torched the Mars courts. Kaufman‘s athletic skills added to her strong performance.
The Tigers improve to 6-1 (3-0 in section play) and return to the road Wednesday for another 3A cross section exhibition. They travel to Mt. Lebanon for a match-up with perennial WPIAL contenders, the Blue Devils. Match time is scheduled for 3:30 PM.
Girls Tennis Summary at Mars, 9-8-26
| MATCH SUMMARY | NORTH ALLEGHENY - 5 MARS - 0 | |
|---|---|---|
| SINGLES | ||
| #1 | Winni Hayward (NA) def. Elaina Riegler (MA) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| #2 | Sammy Leeman (NA) def. Grace Nam (MA) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| #3 | Mia Kaufman (NA) def. Alejandra Bardullas-Portilla (MA) | 6-0, 6-0 |
| DOUBLES | ||
| #1 | Ruoxi Bai/Sophia Yu (NA) def. Madison Cawley/Lydia Arnold (MA) | 6-0, 6-1 |
| #2 | Remy Hayward/Medha Thirumala (NA) def. Ella Ostapchenko/Nila Van Wyk (MA) | 6-0, 6-0 |
