Knoch has positive showing in loss
WEXFORD — Laura Greb remembered the sting of losing to Evelyn Safar of Sewickley Academy in the WPIAL Girls Class AA Tennis Team Championships last year.
The sophomore avenged that loss with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Safar at North Allegheny High School Thursday afternoon.
Unfortunately for Greb and the Knights, it was the only triumph on the day in a 4-1 loss.
It was the second consecutive season Knoch fell to Sewickley Academy in the WPIAL championship match.
“We fought harder than we did last year,” said Knoch coach Nance Conlon. “We were definitely much, much more competitive. It's something to grow on. I was definitely not dissatisfied. This totally sets us up for states.”
Knoch has rarely been challenged this season. Even in the WPIAL team playoffs, the Knights rolled to the final behind three straight 5-0 wins.
But Sewickley Academy has been a challenge for every team it has faced this season.
No. 2 singles player Brooke Bauer had a chance to steal the second set against Simran Bedi, who rallied from 5-4 down for the 7-5 win to seal the match.
Knoch's doubles tandem of Libby Conlon and Alex Jaksec also gave Sewickley's team of Victoria Keller and Alina Mattson a run for their money after a 6-1 first-set loss, but dropped a closely contested 6-4 decision in the second set.
“Three out of the five were definitely competitive,” Nance Conlon said. “I think that's the gameplan for next year — play as many tough teams out of section as we can.”
Knoch will open the PIAA Class AA team playoffs Tuesday against an opponent and at a site and time to be determined.
Sewickley Academy 4, Knoch 1
Singles: Laura Greb (K) d. Evelyn Safar 7-5, 6-3; Simran Bedi (SA) d. Brooke Bauer 6-2, 7-5; Christina Walton (SA) d. Emma West 6-0, 6-1
Doubles: Victoria Keller/Alina Mattson (SA) d. Libby Conlon/Alex Jaksec 6-1, 6-4; Emma DiSantis/Aleena Purewal (SA) d. Jadyn Brown/Bri Walchesry 6-0, 6-1
