Mt. Lebanon reaches WPIAL semifinals in tennis
Kristi Riley reaches for a backhand during No. 2 singles action against Arushi Bandi. Riley dispatched Bandi in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, and helped Mt. Lebanon defate Pine-Richland in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL team tournament. The Blue Devils faced Shady Side Academy in the semifinals.
Skylar Morgan returns a shot against Angela Consiglio during WPIAL Class AAA quaterfinal playoff action in girls’ team tennis. The junior defeated Consiglio, 6-3, 6-0, at No. 1 singles and helped Mt. Lebanon dispatched Pine-Richland and advance to the semifinals against Shady Side Academy.
Mt. Lebanon defeated Pine-Richland, 5-0, and advanced to the semifinals in the WPIAL Class AAA team championships for girls’ tennis. The Lebo ladies were scheduled to play Shady Side Academy at 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at Moon or the Western YMCA depending upon weather conditions.
“I was very pleased with the way we played,” said coach Roberta Russo, noting Lebo had swept the Rams earlier in the season. “Our next match will be challenging to say the least,” she added, noting Shady Side is solid one through three in singles. Shady Side also boasts the WPIAL singles champion. “They play at a very high level and we have to step up.”
Against the Rams, the Lebo ladies certainly stepped up, particularly the doubles teams. Both preserved their winning streaks as neither duo has lost a match during the regular season.
Christine Ladderer and Marikate Reese defeated Sarah Kraiser and Sarah Shriver in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, while Lauren Carey and Brooke Warshaw needed three sets to dispatch Young Kim and Maddie Kalanski, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5.
“No 1 doubles played great,” said Russo. “No. 2 doubles has done very well, too.
“This year, we have a lot of depth and that’s critical in team tennis. No. 2 doubles is just as important as No. 1 singles.”
No. 1 singles had belonged to Kristi Riley until the junior suffered a back injury. Against Pine-Richland, Riley easily won at No. 2 singles against Arushi Bandi, 6-1, 6-1.
“Kristi has done a great job working her way back into the line-up. She put so much effort into her rehab. This was her second match back. So I was particularly pleased with Kristi. Without her, we have a problem in our lineup. She makes things happen.”
Skylar Morgan made things happen at No. 1 singles. The junior beat the elements as well as Angela Consiglio, 6-3, 6-0.
“Skylar had some problems with the wind. She wasn’t going to let the win beat her. So,” said Russo, “Skylar calmed herself down and found her game and pulled out a win. I was really pleased with her.”
Morgan Happe also pleased Russo. At No. 3 singles, she beat Pooja Humar, 6-1, 6-2.
“Morgan is so steady. Very reliable and competent,” said Russo. “We are delighted to have her on the team.”
Mt. Lebanon is delighted to have Russo at the helm. In two seasons as head coach, the Blue Devils have claimed back-to-back section banners. They have won all of their matches, sans one this season against Upper St. Clair, by 5-0 scores.
“Without a doubt,” Russo said. “We are trying to bring the program up. We have a new crop of freshman and we are adding the layers of depth and laying the foundation that is so critical to every successful program.”
Notes: Mt. Lebanon beat Montour, 4-1, in the first round of the tournament.
Shady Side Academy advanced to the semifinals by dispatching Upper St. Clair and Canon-McMillan by 5-0 scores. The Panthers had beaten Hampton, 5-0, in the opening round of play.
Peters Township faces North Allegheny at 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at Fox Chapel in the other semifinal match. The Lady Indians advanced to the Final Four with 5-0 victories against Moon and Hempfield.