Knoch girls defeat Sewickley Academy for WPIAL crown
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Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | 8:35 PM
The Knoch girls tennis team celebrates with the WPIAL championship trophy after defeating Sewickley Academy in the Class 2A final on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
The Bethel Park girls tennis team celebrates with the WPIAL championship trophy after defeating North Allegheny in the Class 3A final on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
The Bethel Park girls tennis team celebrates after defeating North Allegheny in the WPIAL Class 3A team tennis championship on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
Bethel Park’s Lily Sierka returns a serve against North Allegheny during the WPIAL Class 3A team tennis championship on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
Bethel Park’s Katie Peterson returns a volley against North Allegheny during the WPIAL Class 3A team tennis championship on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
Knoch’s Emily Greb returns a serve against Sewickley Academy during the WPIAL Class 2A team tennis championship Wednesday.
Knoch’s Lindsey Greb returns a serve against Sewickley Academy during the WPIAL Class 2A team tennis championship on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
Bethel Park’s Cami Fisher returns a serve against North Allegheny during the WPIAL Class 3A team tennis championship on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
Bethel Park’s Katie Peterson returns a serve against North Allegheny during the WPIAL Class 3A team tennis championship on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
Knoch’s Lara Ejzak and Mackenzie Gumto celebrate after winning their doubles match against Sewickley Academy during the WPIAL Class 2A team tennis championship on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
Bethel Park’s Cami Fisher pumps her fist after winning her match against North Allegheny during the WPIAL Class 3A team tennis championship on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
Bethel Park’s Julia Gobbie and Cassie Sierka celebrate after winning their doubles match against North Allegheny during the WPIAL Class 3A team tennis championship on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
The Bethel Park girls tennis team celebrates with the WPIAL championship trophy after defeating North Allegheny in the Class 3A final on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
The Bethel Park girls tennis team celebrates with the WPIAL championship trophy after defeating North Allegheny in the Class 3A final on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
The Knoch girls tennis team celebrates with the WPIAL championship trophy after defeating Sewickley Academy in the Class 2A final on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at Washington & Jefferson College.
It was deja vu in Class 2A girls tennis as Knoch squared off against Sewickley Academy for the seventh consecutive year.
Knoch emerged with a 3-2 win at Janet L. Swanson Tennis Center at Washington & Jefferson College, giving the school three WPIAL championships in four years.
Senior Lindsey Greb started things off for Knoch, defeating Sewickley’s Gwyn Belt in two quick sets (6-1, 6-0) in second singles.
“This is something I knew, when I started my senior year, it was going to be a goal to end my career with a WPIAL title. It feels really great to do this,” Greb said.
The Panthers responded immediately as freshman Rani Shah and sophomore Annabelle Christ took second doubles with a 6-0, 6-1 win.
Emily Greb then gave the Knights a 2-1 match advantage with a 6-1, 6-2 win over junior Rayna Thakkar in first singles.
“I felt confident with myself and felt I played the way I should have. It was nice to get the win,” Emily Greb said.
The Knights got their winning point from seniors Lara Ejzak and Mackenzie Gumto, who took first doubles by scores of 7-5, 2-6, and 6-3.
“We’ve worked so hard over these past few years to get here, and we were able to accomplish what we set out to do,” Emily Greb said.
Said Knoch coach Cherry Bharati: “I knew that this team was really talented and experienced, having been here before. I’m really proud of these girls and the way they pulled it out today.”
Sewickley closed the afternoon with a win as junior Maria Sirianni beat Knoch’s Jade Nether, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.
“This is the hardest-working lineup we’ve ever had,” Sewickley captain Anjali Shah said. “Knoch’s a great team, but my teammates put in the hours and the work, and I couldn’t be prouder of how our girls fought.”
Both teams shift focus toward the PIAA playoffs that begin Tuesday.
“We’re going to have to learn from our mistakes,” Shah said. “Now we know what to fix and hopefully, next time, we come out on top.”
The road begins Tuesday, when Knoch will play the District 9 champion and Sewickley will face off against the District 5 or District 8 champion. Both times and locations have yet to be determined.
“I’m happy for all my teammates. Despite our two losses today, I know we will figure out our mistakes and be prepared for states,” Lindsey Greb said.
In Class 3A, Bethel Park made it look easy, as they claimed their first WPIAL team tennis championship title by sweeping North Allegheny, 5-0.
“It all goes to the girls,” said Bethel Park coach Doug Addington. “Not just the varsity girls, it’s a great overall team. In the beginning of the season, I knew it was the best team I had ever had.”
Bethel Park freshman Cami Fisher defeated North Allegheny senior Sara Fernandez, 6-4, 6-0, in first singles to clinch the match for Bethel Park.
“I’m in pure shock,” Fisher said. “I can’t stop shaking, and I can’t stop crying. It’s just pure joy.”
Fisher’s teammates, Julia Gobbie and Cassie Sierka, left their competition mid-game to embrace Fisher.
“I said, ‘Hold on, you guys aren’t done yet,’ ” Fisher said. “But it was nice we got to share in the excitement. It’s a great group of supportive girls, both on and off the court.”
Bethel Park opened team scoring as senior Emma Smith and freshman Mackenzie Smock won 6-1, 6-3 in first doubles.
“Most of these girls on the team have been playing tennis together since they were two or three years old,” Addington said. “I think this is something they’ll never forget.”
Minutes before Fisher’s clinching win, Bethel senior Katie Peterson bested North Allegheny’s freshman Peyton Mauser, 6-2, 6-2, to give Bethel a 2-0 lead.
Bethel’s Gobbie and Cassie Sierka finished their match by taking second doubles 7-6, 3-7 and 6-4.
Bethel Park senior Lily Sierka and North Allegheny senior Laeticia Wessel had their match halted as Wessel hurt her ankle. The match was given to Sierka.
“It was a really tough match from the beginning,” Sierka said. “She just got to every ball and it was a little frustrating, but I tried to push through it. Just unfortunate we couldn’t finish.”
North Allegheny fought hard throughout the event and has work to do in the PIAAs.
“They’ve been so resilient. They’ve all stepped up at some point this season and done their part,” North Allegheny coach Michelle Weniger said. “I’m extremely proud of my girls. They came to compete, and Bethel Park made a really good match.”
The Tigers will be off to Erie in the opening round of the Class 3A PIAA team tennis championships. North Allegheny will play either the District 4 or District 6 champion at a time to be determined.
Bethel Park’s opponent is also unknown. The Hawks will face either the District 8, District 9 or District 10 champion at a location yet to be determined.
Tags: Bethel Park, Knoch, North Allegheny, Sewickley Academy
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