WPIAL boys tennis champions Shady Side Academy, Sewickley Academy out for PIAA titles
Last week, Shady Side Academy and Sewickley Academy earned WPIAL team tennis championships. This week, they try for PIAA titles.
The Indians (Class AAA) and Panthers (Class AA) wrapped up their WPIAL titles Friday at North Allegheny. Each begins PIAA tournament play today at the same venue.
Making its ninth consecutive PIAA Class AA tournament appearance, Sewickley Academy opens up against Somerset 2:30 p.m. at the Lakevue Racquet Club in Middlesex Township. Making its third consecutive PIAA Class AAA tournament appearance, Shady Side Academy opens up against DuBois 3:30 p.m. at Lakevue.
First-round winners from across the state in both classifications advance to Hershey, where the quarterfinals will be held Friday. The semifinals and finals are Saturday at the Hershey Racquet Club.
"We think we have a good chance," Panthers first singles player Colin Kaye said about winning it all. "We know there's some pretty good teams, but I don't think anyone's unbeatable.
Kaye's assessment was a confident one -- but Indians senior Aaron Budd is even more so.
"To win," Budd said when asked what the goal for Shady Side Academy is. "There are two or three really good teams from Philly that are really tough to beat, so hopefully we can overcome them and win states."
The Indians (Class AAA) and Panthers (Class AA) wrapped up their WPIAL titles Friday at North Allegheny. Each begins PIAA tournament play today at the same venue.
Making its ninth consecutive PIAA Class AA tournament appearance, Sewickley Academy opens up against Somerset 2:30 p.m. at the Lakevue Racquet Club in Middlesex Township. Making its third consecutive PIAA Class AAA tournament appearance, Shady Side Academy opens up against DuBois 3:30 p.m. at Lakevue.
First-round winners from across the state in both classifications advance to Hershey, where the quarterfinals will be held Friday. The semifinals and finals are Saturday at the Hershey Racquet Club.
"We think we have a good chance," Panthers first singles player Colin Kaye said about winning it all. "We know there's some pretty good teams, but I don't think anyone's unbeatable.
Kaye's assessment was a confident one -- but Indians senior Aaron Budd is even more so.
"To win," Budd said when asked what the goal for Shady Side Academy is. "There are two or three really good teams from Philly that are really tough to beat, so hopefully we can overcome them and win states."
tennis