Close is runner-up for state title

In a rare show of success, the WPIAL district had five participants, three in singles and two in doubles, in the semifinals of the PIAA Class 2Atennis championships..

But like almost every other year since the state split the sport into two classifications in 1998, they headed west disappointed.

The only WPIAL player who made it through to a championship match was Sewickley Academy junior Ashley Close, who defeated Knoch’s Emily Greb, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinal. But Close had to settle for silver when she lost, 6-0, 6-0, to District 2 champion Ilana Rosenthal.

Rosenthal made it into the final by defeating WPIAL champion Nicole Kempton, 62,6-2.

No WPIAL player has won the state singles title in Class 2A since Quaker Valley’s Annie Houghton in 2004.

In doubles, WPIAL champion Knoch had defending state champion junior Lindsey Greb paired with senior Ally Bauer. They moved into the semifinals with a 6-4, 6-2 victory against District 11’s Cara Magliochetti and Lena Windhagen of Bethlehem

Catholic, but were knocked out by District 1 victor Ashley Gomes and Sofia Berestetska, 6-4,7-6 (7-0).

Rayna Thakkar and Gwyn Belt of Sewickley Academy didn’t fare any better.

Though the two knocked off district champions in the early rounds, including a win against District 4’s Kara Mann and Alaina Marchioni, they were knocked out by 2021 runner-up Emma Perkins and her new partner, Victoria Waltz, of Conrad Weiser,6-3, 6-3.

Knoch ‘s duo took thirdplace with a 6-1, 7-6 (6-1) win against Sewickley Academy.