Quaker Valley’s boys tennis team was unbeatable at 4-0 in the early part of the spring season.
The Quakers were 2-0 in Section 2-2A and won two other nonsection matches against Class 3A Moon and 2A Montour. QV rolled past Knoch and Springdale in section play and won all four of its early matches by 5-0 scores.
“I don’t think it is an overstatement to say that our section is the strongest of the four 2A sections with three deep, talented rosters in Hampton, North Catholic and our team, Quaker Valley,” QV coach Christi Hays said. “We embrace the challenge.
“We were disappointed in our section results last year — losing to Hampton and North Catholic. Another notable barometer came last year when we played and lost to another perennial strength in Section 1-2A, Valley. We are looking forward to facing those teams this season with our lineup that is improved and deep.”
The Quakers are led this season by the one-two punch of Will Meagher and Tanner Schultz at the top of their lineup.
“The first litmus test came with the section singles competition,” Hays said. “So far, we have had an excellent preseason and early matches.
“All our lines have improved, but I have been especially impressed with the play of Will and Tanner.”
Love it
The Quakers, indeed, have been impressive, dominating opponents in ringing up four consecutive victories.
QV defeated Springdale, 5-0, and did not lose a game all day.
Meagher, Schultz and sophomore Dom Ditano all won by 6-0 scores, as did the doubles tandems of sophomore Carter Hawes/senior Patrick Connors and senior Sutton Hoehl/junior Charlie Pyle.
1st win
The Sewickley Academy girls lacrosse team earned its first win of the season April 7 at home with an 18-7 victory over Winchester-Thurston.
Junior midfielder Emma Eannarino led the Panthers offensively with seven goals and two assists and was complemented by Charlotte Morton’s five goals.
“It was great to get our first win of the year,” coach Mike Scerbo said, “but more importantly, it was wonderful to see us playing to our full potential. Starting in the second quarter, our kids began to jell and see the benefits of executing on a high level.
“Emma and Charlotte provided the spark we needed by controlling the draws and finishing on their scoring opportunities.”
Playoff expectations
Mia Floro is one of only three seniors on the Quaker Valley girls lacrosse team along with high-scoring midfielder Lucy Roig and D/M Meredith Fallgren.
“I would say my expectations for this season are for us to make a playoff run,” said Floro, who plays an attack position. “Obviously, every year we strive to win WPIALs. We have a really solid group of girls this year, so it’s definitely in reach for us. We’ve had a great start to the season.”
After her high school graduation, Floro plans to head to New England for college to study at Connecticut.
Roundball picks
Both Sewickley Academy and Quaker Valley will be represented at the annual Roundball Classic senior all-star basketball games set for May 30-31 at North Allegheny.
There are four boys games May 30 and three girls games May 31.
Sewickley’s Caiden Battles and Lucas Grimsley were selected to the Class 2A boys team; QV’s Zach Washington was named as a player on the Class 4A team.
QV’s Mimi Thiero was chosen for the Class 3A girls team.
Thiero was also named Class 3A first team all-state in girls basketball in a vote by Pennsylvania Sports Writers.
Dynamic duo
The Sewickley Academy boys lacrosse team defeated Shaler, 21-11, on April 2 thanks in large part to the offensive fireworks displayed by attackers Maxwell Mangan and Jack Bruno.
Mangan, a freshman, racked up a 10-point performance against the Titans and Bruno, a junior, contributed seven points.
Impressive win
Sewickley Academy’s baseball team improved to 2-1 in Section 3-A and 3-3 overall with a lopsided 16-1 win April 7 against Monessen.
Junior outfielder Jacob Stanislaw led the Panthers with three hits, including two doubles and three RBIs. Sophomore INF/OF Carter Jackson also doubled and drove in three runs.
Austin Fritz, the winning pitcher, chipped in with two hits and two RBIs and catcher Charlie Scally had a double and an RBI. Fritz and Scally also are sophomores.
Sewickley punched out 12 hits, drew 11 walks and accounted for impressive 16 stolen bases in the game.
It was the second consecutive 16-1 four-inning win for the Panthers, who defeated West Greene by the same score at the end of March.
Hull leads way
Senior infielder Brady Hull belted two home runs and had five RBIs on April 7 to lead the Eden Christian Academy baseball team to a 12-2 win over Bishop Canevin in Section 3-A.
The Warriors improved to 3-0 in the section and 4-3 overall.
Sophomore outfielder Levi DeFazio smacked a home run for the Warriors while senior catcher Josh Tilden doubled and drove in three runs.