Quaker Valley’s Avery Allan set for 2nd half of season after claiming section singles title

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 11:01 AM

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Quaker Valley’s Avery Allan had to be at her competitive best if she entertained any thoughts of winning the girls singles title in Section 5-2A tennis.

As the No. 1 seed, the QV sophomore faced Sewickley Academy junior Lucy Taylor in the championship round where she emerged with a 6-1, 6-4 victory at Nichols Court.

“I was extremely pleased and proud of Avery’s performance in our section singles tournament,” QV coach Christi Hays said. “She defeated Lucy Taylor from Sewickley Academy in the finals. Lucy is the last of the talented Taylor sisters who played for Beaver High School for years. Lucy’s family recently moved to Sewickley and that’s how she ended up at Sewickley Academy. I could argue that Lucy was the best No. 2 seed in all the sections and could have possibly won other section titles.

“So, Avery had to be at her very best. The quality of play was entertaining and awe-inspiring. Both ladies will represent Section 5 very well.”

Despite her diminutive stature, Allan is known as “Big Dog” on the QV tennis team. She is a high-grade technician on the courts.

“Avery has so many strengths,” Hays said. “Technically, she is so sound — on both groundstroke sides — but also very capable at the net. Avery has grown about three inches, and that has helped her develop an even more offensive serve. What I also appreciate is her commitment to every shot, and the intention with every shot. She makes her opponent work really hard for every point. And Avery is a winner; she really doesn’t like to lose.

“My expectation for Avery in the second half of the season is for her to continue her stellar play and lead our team into the WPIAL team tourney as a high seed, hopefully. Even though Avery is not technically a captain, she is definitely the heart of our team and our team leader. Basically, how Avery goes will be how the team — the ‘Dog Pound’ — goes.”

Although Hays has been coaching Allan at QV for only two years, she has a long history with the Allan tennis family.

“I have known the Allan family for years,” Hays said. “Over the 24 years I was head pro at the Edgeworth Club, I was lucky enough to have a number of young assistants who worked with me. One of those was Brian Allan.

“When I left the Edgeworth Club, I started the Sewickley Area Junior Tennis Club. And back in 2014 my association with the Allan family started up again when Brian’s son Nick and daughter Avery took some junior clinics. Avery was 4, and Nick 8. So, it is a source of great pride for me that they continued to play — and eventually both for Quaker Valley teams.”

Avery

Allan made an immediate impact as a freshman last season playing at No. 2 singles behind Kirsten Close. Allan finished 16-4 and teamed with Close to win section and district doubles titles and place second in the state tournament.

This summer, Allan put in the effort needed to take her game to an even higher level. After working out primarily at Pittsburgh Tennis Academy for years, she now splits time between PTA and Upper St. Clair Township.

Allan also played in a number of USTA tournaments to add to her experience and raise her Universal Tennis Rating, or UTR.

The hard work and diligence led to her strong showing at the sectional event.

Allan received a first-round bye before blanking Hopewell junior Alana Covalt, 10-0, in the quarterfinals. Allan then defeated Ambridge senior Abby Smith, 6-0, 6-2, in the semifinal round.

Hannah Stein, a junior, also represented QV at the section tournament where she captured a 10-0 first-round decision against Carlynton senior Ava Pancake.

Taylor and freshman Sutton Rea represented Sewickley Academy at the tournament. After receiving a bye, Taylor beat Aquinas Academy sophomore Allie Swift, 10-1, in the quarterfinals and Rea, 6-1, 6-0, in the semifinal round.

Rea qualified for the WPIAL singles tournament by winning the third-place consolation match by a 6-0, 6-3 score against Smith.

Rea also outhit Hopewell sophomore Mackenzie Lipton, 10-2, and Stein, 10-0, in her first two matches.

The top three finishers in the section advanced to the WPIAL tournament.

Tags: Quaker Valley