The similarities are intriguing.
Both the boys and girls tennis teams at Quaker Valley won WPIAL championships in 2025-26.
Both teams defeated North Catholic by a 3-2 score in the Class 2A finals, after each lost to the Trojans during the regular season.
And both were sparked by a doubles pairing that proved to be the difference in winning the championship.
“This is the first time in my career that the boys and girls have won WPIALs in the same year,” said Christi Hays, QV’s hall-of-fame coach who is in charge of both squads. “I don’t think it has been done before at Quaker Valley. It is huge for our program.”
The Quakers defeated Valley, 4-1, Winchester Thurston, 5-0, and top-seeded Blackhawk, 3-2, in the first three rounds of the boys district team tournament.
After an intense battle between the QV netters and their North Catholic counterparts, the boys match was finally settled via a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory by the first doubles pair of senior Sutton Hoehl and sophomore Dom Ditano.
“We were solid at No. 1 and 2 singles with Will Meagher at 1 and Tanner Schultz at 2,” Hays said. “Unfortunately, our steady No. 3, J.P. Kenny, sustained a wrist injury that sadly took him out of the lineup — even though he tried to play through it.
“The QV hockey team’s season ended with the state championship, which enabled juniors Charlie Pyle and Jack Watson to join the tennis team finally. And just in time. Jack gave us added depth, and Charlie stepped right into the pivotal No. 3 singles spot and pulled out clutch victories in the Winchester Thurston and Blackhawk matches.”
Pyle played forward on the PIHL Class 2A champion QV hockey team in 2025-26. He finished with seven goals and 15 assists.
But he was eager to talk about the tennis team’s banner season.
“We had a great season,” Pyle said. “Our goal, of course, from the start, was to win a WPIAL and state championship. While we didn’t get the result we were looking for at states, I’d say we would all consider our season a success because we won the WPIAL championship. It was a surreal feeling, and it meant a lot to win it with the team we had. Many of us on the team are close friends and have played soccer, hockey and tennis together for our entire lives.
“Without our doubles teams, I think it would have been hard to make it as far as we did. Despite constantly switching who was with whom, our end-of-season doubles pairings really clicked and were paramount to our success. Throughout the playoffs, second doubles won all of their matchups, and first doubles only lost one. Having an almost guaranteed two wins to start a match is the best thing you could ask for.”
Hays provided the Quakers with some lineup shuffling for the postseason, which worked out for the best.
“Our doubles teams of seniors Sutton Hoehl and Patrick Connors and sophomores Dom Ditano and Carter Hawes had great results at section doubles,” Hays said, “but seemed to stall a bit after that.
“We took a chance and realigned them. And the shake-up seemed to work as they both had big playoff wins — especially in the WPIAL finals, securing a hard fought 3-2 victory over North Catholic. That’s why we put so much emphasis on our doubles play. And our players really buy in to developing their doubles strategy and teamwork; it requires a different skill set than singles. We spend a lot of time on net play and positioning.”
Hoehl finished with a 13-1 record this season; Ditano ended up 11-4 overall.
Other team leaders statistically included Connors with a gleaming 14-0 record, junior Will Meagher and Hawes, both at 12-3, Schultz, with eight wins, and Pyle and Kenney, who both had winning records.
“I think the team played great and there really wasn’t much we could’ve done better,” said Meagher, QV’s No. 1 singles player. ”The doubles were big this year as they typically are. Especially towards the end of the season, they were extremely reliable and played a major role in the team’s success.”
The WPIAL boys tennis title was the fifth in school history.
QV’s season ended with a 3-2 loss to District 4 champion Jersey Shore in the PIAA quarterfinals. The Quakers ended up 13-3 overall.
“It’s been a pretty remarkable ride,” Hays said.
“It could have gone off the rails multiple times, but it didn’t. All credit to the boys. And a couple of lineup changes heading into the playoffs paid great dividends.”
Last fall, Quaker Valley’s girls team and North Catholic were tied late in their WPIAL championship match.
“And what a match,” Hays said.
“This final was very compelling. What a finish. With the score tied 2-2 based on solid wins by Avery Allan and the ‘wonder kids,’ Lily McClain and Lucy John in second doubles, it came down to our first doubles team of Jane Lenhard and Kate Miller.”
There’s that senior-sophomore (Lenhard-Miller) relationship again.
“Jane and Kate were usually so reliable,” Hays said, “but they struggled early and lost the first set. They pulled out the next two sets in convincing fashion and with it the WPIAL team championship.”
Lenhard was one of three upperclassmen on the girls squad along with Parker Barnes and Livia Jobbins.
“I’m so incredibly proud of the team’s run and with how hard everyone worked to get there,” Lenhard said.
Robbins added, “I am beyond thankful to have had the opportunity of playing tennis for Quaker Valley. It is such an awesome team; I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. Our moments together felt like family, truly an unforgettable experience.”
The QV girls swept through Section 5-2A undefeated at 6-0 to claim their third consecutive section crown, compiled a 9-1 regular-season record with the only loss coming to Class 3A North Hills, earned their second MAC tournament title in a row, ran the table in the district playoffs and ended up in the final four at the PIAA tournament.
“Going into the season, our expectations were off the charts,” Hays said. “We were all giddy with anticipation. I was so excited to get back to business and the challenge of ‘coaching the girls up.’ I am exceedingly proud of this team, not only for their efforts on the court but also how well they blended as a team and supported each other. This can’t always be said, but there was little or no drama.”
QV defeated Mt. Pleasant, 4-1, Oakland Catholic, 3-2, and North Catholic, 3-2, in the WPIAL playoffs then District 9 champ Elk County Catholic, 5-0, and District 3 runner-up Wyomissing, 3-2, in the PIAA tournament before suffering a 3-1 loss to defending state champion Lower Moreland in the semifinal round.
“There is a great J.J. Watt quote that goes, ‘Success is not owned. It is leased, and the rent is due every day,’” Hays said.
“Well, the QV girls tennis team certainly paid its rent in 2025. I could not be prouder; it was a phenomenal season.”
QV’s starting lineup consisted of Allan, one of the top sophomore players in the state, Jobbins and freshman Grace Jadlowiec at singles.
Lenhard, a senior, and Miller, a sophomore, along with McClain and John, both freshmen, were at first and second doubles.
Barnes and junior Noor Ashfaq also competed at No. 2 doubles; junior Hanna Stein played in mostly singles matches.
Allan finished 13-2 overall after going 16-1 in 2024. Lenhard and Miller racked up sizzling 15-0 and 14-0 records, while the McClain/John tandem also was undefeated at 12-0.
“I am just very proud of my teammates for being amazing and respectful players,” Barnes said.
“I know and hope that they continue to be amazing. It’s rare to have this much talent on a team.”