Strong start has Fox Chapel girls tennis in hunt for Section 3-3A title

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, September 14, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Fox Chapel girls tennis coach Alex Slezak is glad his veteran group of players have a close rival in-section to push them. This season, the Foxes and Shady Side Academy are on a collision course to play for the Section 3-3A title on Sept. 23. Both teams are undefeated in section thus far.

The Foxes have a 9-2 overall record, including a 5-0 mark in section. The Bulldogs are 8-1 overall and 4-0 in section.

Fox Chapel has been rolling along thanks to returning five of seven starters from last season. The Foxes have swept all five of their section matches 5-0 thus far.

“I’m happy with how everything is going,” Slezak said. “We are getting better every day. Our biggest goal is to win the section.”

One thing the Foxes have going for them is building up new doubles teams by pairing upperclassmen and underclassmen. Freshman Clara Drahnak plays doubles with junior Eloise Johnson, and senior Meg Delaney is paired with sophomore Grace Patel.

“Both of the teams are good pairings,” Slezak said. “It works out nice because we have a mentor and mentee on each team.”

All three of Fox Chapel’s top singles players are seniors. Sienna Siegel is in her second season of playing in the top singles spot.

“Sienna knows it’s a tough spot,” Slezak said. “She’s a competitor, and she goes toe-to-toe with everyone. She’s not afraid.”

Anna Kintner and Hannah Parker are in the other two singles spots for the Foxes. Fox Chapel also challenged itself during the nonconference this season. The Foxes beat traditional powers North Allegheny and Peters Township, 5-0 and 4-1, respectively.

Fox Chapel’s losses have come to Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair.

Slezak believes that as long as the new players continue to improve and gain experience, the Foxes can be competitive in the postseason.

“It’s nice to have leadership,” Slezak said. “The new kids coming in see how they need to act.”

Tags: Fox Chapel