Mt. Lebanon, Knoch Victorious in WPIAL Girls’ Tennis Team Championships

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Washington, Pa. – The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) hosted its team championship matches in the 2A and 3A classifications on Thursday at the Janet L. Swanson Tennis Center on the campus of Washington & Jefferson College. In 3A, Mt. Lebanon defeated North Allegheny, and in 2A, Knoch outlasted Sewickley Academy in a rematch of last year’s final.

Mt. Lebanon’s title in 3A snapped a 31-year drought and is its 14th overall, joining trophies from 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1991. Knoch’s crown in 2A is its second overall, previously winning in 2020.

The top three finishers in both classifications have qualified for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Girls’ Tennis Team Championships, which begin on Tuesday, October 25 before the final three rounds on October 28-29 at Hershey Racquet Club.

3A RECAP [Full Bracket]
Top-seeded Mt. Lebanon is back on top of 3A after 31 years, as it defeated third-seeded North Allegheny, 4-1. The Blue Devils had last won in 1991, while the Tigers were looking to add a fifth championship to their trophy case and their first since 2018.

Mt. Lebanon took two of the three matches in singles play. In the top flight, Sophia Cunningham defeated Sara Fernandez in a three-set thriller, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. Jackie Tang gave the Blue Devils their second win with a 6-3, 6-0 decision over Abbey Swirsding in the third flight, but North Allegheny took one back in the second flight as Emily Wincko won 6-3, 6-1 over Jessie Yang.

In doubles, the Blue Devils sealed the win with a clean sweep. Michelle Yang and Carly Grant topped Reagan Dougherty and Eileen Hu, 6-1, 6-2, in the top flight, while Sylvie Eriksen and Ana Clara Oliveira were 6-2, 6-0 winners against Tia Soussou and Rebecca Murphy.

In the third-place consolation match at Sewickley Academy, fifth-seeded Bethel Park knocked off second-seeded Shady Side Academy, 3-2, to claim the final PIAA qualifier spot.

2A RECAP [Full Bracket]
The roles were reversed from last year in 2A, as second-seeded Knoch edged top-seeded Sewickley Academy, 3-2, to win its second WPIAL crown in three seasons. This was the sixth consecutive championship match in 2A that featured both the Knights and Panthers, with the latter – as the two seed – defeating the former in the 2021 matchup.

Knoch earned the victory with a clean sweep in singles competition. In the top flight, Emily Greb defeated Ashley Close, 6-3, 6-1. Ally Bauer netted a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Kirsten Close in the second flight, while Lindsey Greb topped Rayna Thakkar in the third flight, 7-5, 6-4.

Sewickley Academy won both doubles matches to set the 3-2 final score. The duo of Anjali Shah and Gwyn Belt won in comeback fashion at the first flight, knocking off Ava Santora and Jade Nether, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. In the second flight, Maria Silvaggio and Maria Sirianni were 6-1, 6-1 victors over Kenzie Gumto and Lara Ejzak.

In the third-place consolation match at North Allegheny High School, fourth-seeded South Park defeated third-seeded Beaver, 3-2, and earned the final PIAA qualifier spot.

3A Championship Results
#1 Singles: Sophia Cunningham (Mt. Lebanon) def. Sara Fernandez (North Allegheny), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
#2 Singles: Emily Wincko (North Allegheny) def. Jessie Yang (Mt. Lebanon), 6-3, 6-1.
#3 Singles: Jackie Tang (Mt. Lebanon) def. Abbey Swirsding (North Allegheny), 6-3, 6-0.
#1 Doubles: Michelle Yang/Carly Grant (Mt. Lebanon) def. Reagan Dougherty/Eileen Hu (Mt. Lebanon), 6-1, 6-2.
#2 Doubles: Sylvie Eriksen/Ana Clara Oliveira (Mt. Lebanon) def. Tia Soussou/Rebecca Murphy (North Allegheny), 6-2, 6-0.

2A Championship Results
#1 Singles: Emily Greb (Knoch) def. Ashley Close (Sewickley Academy), 6-3, 6-1.
#2 Singles: Ally Bauer (Knoch) def. Kirsten Close (Sewickley Academy), 6-2, 6-2.
#3 Singles: Lindsey Greb (Knoch) def. Rayna Thakkar (Sewickley Academy), 7-5, 6-4.
#1 Doubles: Anjali Shah/Gwyn Belt (Sewickley Academy) def. Ava Santora/Jade Nether (Knoch), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
#2 Doubles: Maria Silvaggio/Maria Sirianni (Sewickley Academy) def. Kenzie Gumto/Lara Ejzak (Knoch), 6-1, 6-1.

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