What to watch for in WPIAL sports on Oct. 5, 2023: WPIAL doubles gold up for grabs

By: Don Rebel
Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 12:24 AM

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In the Greb household, winning tennis gold is a family affair.

Two years ago, Knoch sophomores Emily and Lindsey Greb won the WPIAL Class 2A girls tennis doubles championships.

Last year, Lindsey Greb teamed with Ally Bauer to win the district doubles title again.

Now reunited as a team, Lindsey and Emily Greb are one win away from another WPIAL championship.

The two received a first-round bye Wednesday then cruised in the quarterfinals and semifinals to reach the championship match again.

On Thursday, they will face the longshot duo of Sasha Hoffman and Stella Bosser of Greensburg Central Catholic in the 2A finals.

The GCC doubles team was the No. 15 seed in the tournament but pulled off upsets of the No. 2, No. 7 and the No. 6 seeds to advance to the title match.

In the 2A consolation match Thursday at NA, the No. 4-seeded duo of Peja Cruise and Raven Karlik of Montour face Katie Hardy and Brea Kelly of North Catholic for a berth in the PIAA 2A doubles tournament.

In Class 3A, the top-seed team of Elana Sobol and Rachel Nath of Shady Side Academy will take on the No. 2-seeded duo of Cami Fisher and Lily Sierka of Bethel Park in the finals.

Ellen Liu and Michelle Yan of Franklin Regional, the No. 4 seed, will square off with the No. 6-seeded team of Abby Santora and Mollie Sclichter of Oakland Catholic in the consolation match with the winner advancing to the state tournament.

All four matches take place at 1 p.m. Thursday at North Allegheny.

Three for fourth

There will be playoff fever in the air Thursday, especially at three matches between teams fighting for a postseason berth in WPIAL boys soccer.

It will be a battle between CV and CV for fourth place in Section 2-3A as Central Valley visits Chartiers Valley.

The Warriors are 4-5-2 in section action while the Colts have three games in hand and are 4-4. Central Valley shut out Chartiers Valley in their first meeting this season, 3-0.

In Section 2-2A, three teams are separated by only one game in the fight for fourth place with Jeannette and Freeport tied with 5-6 section record, one game ahead of Greensburg Salem at 4-7.

On Thursday, the Golden Lions host the Yellowjackets while the Jayhawks travel to Derry (2-9). Last month, Freeport blanked visiting Greensburg Salem, 3-0.

In Section 1-A, Beaver County Christian is in fourth place with a 4-5-1 record while Freedom is 3-6.

It took overtime in their first meeting, but the Eagles edged the Bulldogs, 2-1, on Sept. 12.

Three for the top

On a busy Thursday in WPIAL girls volleyball, first place — or at least a share of the top spot — is up for grabs in one 2A match and a pair of contests in Class A.

In Section 4-2A, Quaker Valley travels to Avonworth in a clash of the top two teams in the section. The Quakers are a perfect 9-0 and in first place, one game ahead of the Antelopes at 8-1.

In Section 1-A, Bishop Canevin is in first place with an 8-0 section record while Eden Christian Academy is second at 6-1. The Crusaders host the Warriors on Thursday.

In Section 4-A, Serra Catholic is undefeated this season and in first place with a 7-0 record while Greensburg Central Catholic is a half-game back at 7-1 in the section. The Eagles visit and Centurions in the hopes of moving closer to a section crown.

Week 6 kick off

There was a time when Perry against Carrick was a key clash in the City League.

However, Carrick is now playing an independent schedule, thus when the Raiders and Commodores meet to kick off Week 6 of the high school football season on Thursday, it is a nonconference game for both teams.

Combined these teams are 1-11 this season.

Last year, Perry rolled past Carrick at Cupples Stadium, 54-7.