Upper St. Clair finishes runner-up in WPIAL team tennis
Panthers fall to North Allegheny in finals
When a team aims high and does its best, it can never be disappointed in the results.
That was Megan Foster’s philosophy after Upper St. Clair succumbed to top-seeded North Allegheny, 5-0, in the WPIAL Class 3A team championship match played May 5 at the Janet Swanson Tennis Center on the Washington and Jefferson College campus.
“I said to these guys, ‘reach for the stars and be happy where you land’ because as long as you’re happy with going out there and giving it your all, in the end, you should be getting off the court being proud that you gave it your all.”
The Panthers’ best effort, like the rest of the competition in the WPIAL, just wasn’t enough to topple the Tigers, who pocketed their sixth title overall and second in three seasons. In between 2024 and 2026, NA lost the banner to Gateway, 3-2.
This spring, the Tigers certainly were a powerhouse, sweeping all but two teams in rolling up an undefeated 16-0 record during the regular season. NA also breezed through the postseason tournament with four consecutive 5-0 victories over Greater Latrobe, Peters Township and Fox Chapel.
Individually, NA also boasted the WPIAL singles as well as doubles champions. Advaita Sircar beat his own teammate, Evan Kaufman, 6-2, 6-1, for the Class 3A singles crown while Ashwin Sudhakar and Matt Kampi combined for the doubles title with a 6-4, 6-1 win against Mt. Lebanon’s tandem of Luca Ritvoi and Noah Klaber.
“We heard how good they were and some of my guys train with them, so we knew what we were up against,” Foster said.
“They’re great. They’re a fabulous team,” Foster conceded.
NA won all five matches in straight sets.
Sircar defeated sophomore Carter Lichtman, 6-1, 6-0, at No. 1 singles while Sudhakar dispatched Sidney Weissert, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 2 singles. Kaufman beat freshman Ethan Yealy, 6-3, 6-3, at No. 3 singles.
Myles Owens and William Whitman pushed Kampi and Adhar Ram to the limit at No. 1 doubles before falling, 6-0, 7-5, while Daniel Smith and Rex Wantje battled Shivum Telang and Ronit Ginde at No. 2 before succumbing, 6-1, 7-5.
“They knew what they were going up against and yet they played really hard,” Foster said.
“To me, they were winners before they even got here. All year, they worked and played hard. “These guys are a young team,” Foster noted of the club that graduates two seniors in Weissert and Whitman. “I think they have a lot in the tank. I’m super proud of them.”
SEMIFINALS
USC reached the championship match by edging Mt. Lebanon, 3-2, in the semifinals played May 4 at the Bethel Park High School tennis courts.
No. 2 doubles sealed the victory when Daniel Smith and Rex Wantje combined for a straight set, 7-6 (1), 6-4 victory. Smith played much of the second set with an injury after cutting the palm of his left hand when he collided with the fence.
Carter Lichtman won at first singles, 6-4, 6-2, and Ethan Yealy won at third singles, 6-1, 6-2, for the Panthers.
Myles Owens and William Whitman battled Ty Walsh and David Cowles before succumbing at No. 1 doubles, 6-3, 7-5. After splitting sets, Sidney Weissert succumbed to Brandon Framel-Metz of Lebo at No. 2 singles.
The Panthers blanked Shaler and Franklin Regional, 5-0, in first-round and quarterfinal action on their home courts.
Both USC and NA were undefeated section champions. The Panthers captured the Section IV banner with triumphs over Lebo, Peters Township, South Fayette, Trinity, Bethel Park, Chartiers Valley and Canon-McMillan. The Tigers claimed the Section II title.
NA and USC qualified for the PIAA team tournament as the top two teams in the Class 3A of the WPIAL advanced to the state competition.
First-round action starts on May 12. Ensuing rounds will be played at the Hershey Racquet Club with the championships set for 4 p.m. May 16.
Other USC team members listed on the varsity roster included: Jake Gillespie, Yi-Yao Lin, Shreyan Mali, Anthony Mastro.