Sewickley Academy girls tennis team putting starting lineup together

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, August 24, 2025 | 11:01 AM

Sewickley Academy’s girls tennis team finished 9-4 overall and 5-1 in section play a year ago. But the Panthers lost almost half the squad to graduation.

Senior leadership was displayed by Rayna Thakkar and Maria Sirianni, at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, along with Brooke Busatto and Skylar Nocito, who competed at second doubles.

“We graduated four players. The main thing for us now is figuring out who’s on varsity and who’s going to play with whom,” coach Whitney Snyder said. “We’re just trying to build it; we’re putting the pieces together.

“We had a lot of girls the first week of practice out with injuries, on vacations and on college trips. The top five have been here; after that, it’s been muddy waters. It’s all still being evaluated. They’re all very nice kids and are a joy to coach.”

The Panthers were scheduled to play their season-opening match against North Catholic on Aug. 21.

The only girls known to be in the starting lineup at press time were juniors Lucy Taylor and Victoria Sgard and freshman Sutton Rea at the top three singles positions.

“Lucy Taylor is a very nice tournament player,” Snyder said. “She comes from a great tennis family. I’m excited to watch her play this season.”

Taylor said her strengths on the court are her abilities to remain focused and stay positive.

“I’m looking forward to working hard to have a really successful season,” she said, “and building a strong foundation with the team. I’m really excited to be a part of the tradition of Sewickley Academy’s girls tennis team.

“Under the leadership of coach Snyder, this team has great potential to go far this season. Our team has a lot of depth and returning players, and I’m looking forward to a great season with great teammates.”

Sgard and Rea, like Taylor, are aiming to make a positive impact on the Panthers’ 2025 season

“Victoria Sgard and Sutton Rea are new to the program,” Snyder said. “They did very well in our tryouts.”

Two other juniors on this year’s squad are Rani Shah and Isabela Zuluaga, along with senior Annabelle Christ. All three saw varsity action in 2024.

Shah and Christ competed at the No. 1 doubles spot last season.

“Rani Shah played mostly doubles last year,” Snyder said, “and a little singles. She has great experience in doubles.”

“Annabelle Christ also played doubles for us. She has a lot of experience and a lot of energy.”

Snyder indicated that Zuluaga likely will compete in the doubles bracket this fall.

“She is getting more comfortable at the net,” he said.

Sewickley received the fourth seed for last year’s WPIAL Class 2A tournament, defeated No. 13 Central Valley, 4-1, in the first round but fell to No. 5 Oakland Catholic, 3-2, in the quarterfinals.

The Panthers dominated play in their first-round victory at home at Nichols Courts against Central Valley. Thakkar and Sirianni were 6-1, 6-0 winners. Christ and Shah captured a 6-0, 6-2 decision. Busatto and Nocito rolled to a 6-0, 6-0 win.

Thakkar advanced to the Section 5-2A singles tournament as the No. 2 seed where she rallied past No. 1 Therese Bernas of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-2, in the championship round.

Zuluago also qualified for the section singles event as the No. 8 seed.

Thakkar competed at No. 4 in the WPIAL singles playoffs and advanced to the quarterfinals after brushing past Lincoln Park’s Bella Colatriano, 10-1, in the first round.

Tags: Sewickley Academy