Bethel Park bests USC in WPIAL team tennis quarterfinals
Emma Smith returns a shot during No. 1 doubles action in WPIAL Class AAA team tournament action. Smith combined with Mackenzie Smock for a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Reilly Caslin and Izzy Zhang as Bethel Park defeated Upper St. Clair to advance to the semifinals set for Oct. 16.
Emma Smith returns a shot at the net during No. 1 doubles action during the WPIAL Class AAA team tournament. Smith combined with Mackenzie Smock for a 6-2, 6-1 victory as Bethel Park defeated Upper St. Clair in the quarterfinals.
Mackenzie Smock returns a forehand during No. 1 doubles action in the WPIAL Class AAA team tournament. Smock combined with Emma Smith for a 6-2, 6-1 victory and helped the Bethel Park beat Upper St. Clair, 4-1, in the quarterfinals.
Katie Peterson returns a backhand during No. 3 singles action in the WPIAL Class AAA team tournament. Peterson dispatched Leela Kulkarni in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0, and helped Bethel Park defeat Upper St. Clair and advance to the semifinals set for Oct. 16.
Bethel Park defeated Upper St. Clair, 4-1, to advance to the semifinals in the WPIAL Class AAA girls team tennis tournament.
The Lady Hawks went on to edge Shady Side Academy, 3-2, on Oct. 13 at Mt. Lebanon to advance to the championship match set for 2:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Janet L. Swanson Tennis Center at Washington and Jefferson College.
In defeating the Panthers, the Lady Hawks swept all three singles matches.
Freshman Cami Fisher dispatched Evie Ellenberger in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1.
Despite injuring her ankle, Lily Sierka hobbled to victory over Maya Hamada at No. 2 singles, 6-0, 6-3,
Katie Peterson swept past Leela Kulkarni at No. 3 singles, 6-0, 6-0.
At No. 1 doubles, senior Emma Smith combined with freshman Mackenzie Smock for a 6-2, 6-1 victory against USC’s Reilly Caslin and Izzy Zhang.
At No. 2 doubles, freshman Cassie Sierka and sophomore Kierra Ross succumbed to USC juniors Anna Engleman and Hannah Del, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6.
The Lady Hawks opened tournament action with a 5-0 win against Norwin while USC beat Penn-Trafford, 4-1.
The win in the semifinals not only assured BP a berth in the finals but clinched a spot in the PIAA team tournament. The top three WPIAL teams advance to states.
The Lady Hawks have had an impressive run this autumn. They captured the program’s fifth-ever section banner with a perfect record.
BP previously won section titles in 2009, 2008, 2005 and 1974.
Not only did the Lady Hawks post a 7-0 mark, they swept each of those matches, 5-0, and earned the No. 1 seed in the team tournament.
In other Class AAA team action, Mt. Lebanon swept Seneca Valley and Franklin Regional by 5-0 scores to reach the semifinals. Seeded No. 3, the Blue Devils succumbed to No. 2 North Allegheny, 3-2, in the other semifinal at Sewickley Academy.
The Blue Devils were the defending Class AAA champions, having captured the crown with a win over the Tigers in the 2022 finals.