Doubles victory lifts Quaker Valley in WPIAL team tennis thriller; Shady Side Academy reigns in 3A

By: Antonio Rossetti
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | 6:54 PM

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With each team having won two matches, the No. 1 doubles teams from North Catholic and Quaker Valley were locked in a decisive showdown.

Quaker Valley’s Jane Lenhard and Kate Miller went down 1-0 in the first set but rallied back and defeated Ava Conley and Leah Kernan to bring home the Quakers’ first WPIAL Class 2A team title since 2012 on Wednesday at Washington & Jefferson.

“It was a feeling of pride after winning with someone who I care so much about,” Lenhard said. “It was just an intense team. We all just really care about each other. It was a team effort. I mean, we couldn’t do it without second doubles or (No. 1 singles player Avery Allan) or even our singles players who lost. We all worked together this season, and it was just such an amazing feeling of accomplishment.”

Coach Christi Hays said the feeling of winning never gets old. She was impressed with her team’s performance.

“I have no words for it,” Hays said. “It’s one thing to think we can do it, then it’s another thing to come out here against another really good team and actually perform in this arena. That’s not easy to do.”

Allan and the No. 2 doubles duo of Lily McClain and Lucy John won matches for the Quakers.

“We have a formula,” Hays said. “We have Avery at one. She comes through for us all the time. We worked really, really hard on our doubles because a lot of teams don’t have the depth that we have, and the girls, a lot would rather play singles because singles is sort of more straightforward. But they’ve worked so hard on their doubles, and they have come through time and time again.”

The Quakers got things rolling when McClain and John defeated North Catholic’s Kaitlyn Abel and Claire Elliott.

North Catholic tied things up with Macaria Stall taking down Livia Jobbins in straight sets at No. 2 singles.

The battle of No. 1 players finished with Allan, a sophomore, defeating Evelyn Marche in straight sets.

Allan took home the only QV singles victory, but it proved to be a crucial one. Though she said that she’s always focused on every shot, her wicked forehand made a big difference.

“That’s kind of how I play tennis, just point by point,” Allan said. “I think my forehands were definitely my stronger stroke today. I think also my serve is good. But Evelyn, my opponent, she played amazing today, and it was a really, it was a really good and intense match, so credit to her too.”

Allan lost the first game, but turned the corner winning both sets 6-1.

“When I went up 2-1, I kind of hunkered down,” Allan said. “I told myself, ‘I got this,’ and just played my game. I think that’s how I turned the tide there.”

North Catholic’s Anna Ravotti took down Grace Jadlowiec in three sets at No. 3 singles.

The No. 1 doubles victory was the tiebreaker in the 3-2 win.

“Last year, we had a heartbreaker, so this year, coming back, being able to win, it just means the world, especially as a team,” Allan said. “We’ve been working so hard this season. It’s just crazy. It’s super surreal. And I’m so pound of our team.”

In Class 3A, Shady Side Academy defeated Bethel Park, 4-1, for its first title since 2010.

Shady Side’s Brooke Henderson got things rolling from the No. 3 singles spot with a straight set shutout of Hadley Murello.

“I typically finish first,” Henderson said. “It’s kind of a repeated occurrence, but it always feels nice to start off strong and to give motivation to the team to keep going.”

Bulldogs’ No. 1 Meriwether McCargo said it got the team rolling.

“I predicted that she was going to be the first,” McCargo said. “She always crushes her opponent, 6-0, 6-0. She’s great at winning her matches quickly. She always puts it away.”

The Bulldogs followed up with a doubles victory when Elena Rubinov and Elizabeth Butera downed Julia Ross and Mia Hogue.

McCargo clinched the championship with a straight set defeat against Bethel Park’s Cami Fisher.

“At the beginning, I knew I needed to be consistent,” McCargo said. “I knew I had to be aggressive with big targets. Cami is very consistent. She barely misses at all, so I knew I couldn’t just push it to her. I knew I had to force an error.”

Shady Side’s Cassie Lapina also defeated Mackenzie Smock. Bethel Park’s Keira Ross and Cassie Sierka won against Alex Merkel and Taylor Shanefelter.

“It feels amazing with to win this with my team,” McCargo said. “I’m super proud of them.”

Henderson saw the complete team effort come to fruition after her victory.

“I’m super proud of everyone, especially Meriweather,” Henderson said. “Her and Cami always have such close matches, so I was really happy she pulled out. Cassie had a really long match. Second doubles played really well.”

Henderson is now focused on one thing.

“States,” she said. “We have states and the first round is next Tuesday.”

Tags: Bethel Park, North Catholic, Quaker Valley, Shady Side Academy