Bethel Park girls end run in PIAA tennis semifinals
The best season in the history of Bethel Park girls tennis came to an end Oct. 28 when the Lady Hawks lost, 3-2, to Conestoga in the PIAA team tournament played at the Hershey Racquet Club.
In the semifinal match, Lily Sierka won at second singles, 7-5, 6-0, against Katherine Emmanuel while the No. 1 doubles duo of Emma Smith and Mackenzie Smock defeated Melissa Fan and Sowmya Krishna, 6-4, 6-4, for BP’s lone victories.
Conestoga finished runner-up in the Class AAA team tournament after falling to eventual champion, Council Rock South, 3-1, in the final.
The Lady Hawks reached the semifinals by dispatching Downingtown East, 3-0, in the quarterfinals.
Cami Fisher scored a straight set, shutout win at No. 1 singles. BP’s doubles won both matches. Smith and Smock won, 7-6 (4), 6-2, at No. 1 doubles while Cassie Sierka and Jula Gobbie combined for the win at No. 2 doubles, 6-3, 6-4.
Lily Sierka and Katie Peterson did not finish their matches at No. 2 and No. 3 singles as the overall outcome was determined per PIAA rules.
The Lady Hawks earned their first team berth in the state championships when they beat Fairview, 4-1, in the first round of the tournament.
The Lady Hawks were undefeated at 15-0 during the regular season this fall and captured their first WPIAL title by sweeping North Allegheny, 5-0, in the district finals. BP also captured a section championship.
“This really was their year,” said BP coach Doug Addington. “This is something they will never forget. I am so happy for these girls, especially the seniors.”
Lily Sierka, Peterson and Smith are the seniors in the starting lineup but Hannah Chicas, Alexis Dorfner, Elle Duda, Vanessa Troxell, Angelina Velisaris and Ana Winowich were other elder members contributing to the team’s success.
Fisher, Cassie Sierka and Smock are freshmen while Gobbie is the team’s lone junior. Kiera Ross is the only sophomore.
Fisher also combined with Lily Sierka to win the school’s first-ever WPIAL doubles championship. The pair traveled to Hershey to compete in the PIAA doubles tournament held Nov. 3-4.