PENN TWP — The heat was on. So was the tennis.

And no one disappointed.

Eight teams of four players each competed for more than two and a half hours Friday in the 17th annual Inter-Club Mixed Doubles Junior Tennis Team Championships on the Butler Country Club courts.

“The forecast called for temperatures in the mid-90's and a heat index over 100,” BCC pro and event director Whitney Snyder said. “And, yeah, I was concerned.

“But we made sure the kids stayed hydrated and we've taken a lot of breaks. I haven't heard one complaint yet about the heat.

“I'm proud of the way these kids have come out here and represented their programs,” Snyder added.

The Butler Junior Tennis Association began the day as defending champion, but had four new players in this year's field. Devin Fitz and Laura Brestensky were BJTA's 18-under team, Trevor Bell and Savannah Turner the 12-under duo.

“We're just here to have fun today, “ Fitz said. “This is the second time I've played in this and I like it a lot. I like playing against the best players in Western Pennsylvania.”

Plenty of them were on hand as teams participated from Butler, Monroeville, Sewickley, Edgeworth, Forest Hills, Mt. Lebanon and Wexford.

Mt. Lebanon won all 12 of its matches — six varsity (18-under) and six junior varsity (12-under) — to win the title. Butler Junior Tennis and Edgeworth tied for second. Butler Country Club finished seventh.

“Mt. Lebanon was definitely the best team here,” Fitz said.

Bell and Turner won five of their six matches for BJTA. Turner received the female sportsmanship award while Club Sport and Health (Monroeville) 12-under player Addie Schapiro won the male sportsmanship honor.

Extra effort awards went to 12-under male Alfonzo Warren of Forest Hills and Sewickley Area 18-under female Caroline Steliotes.

“All four corners of Western Pennsylvania were represented today and that's always our goal,” Snyder said. “No one cares about winning and losing here. This event is about bringing kids together from different areas.

“Most tennis events are singles with everyone worried about their individual ranking. This is a nice, relaxed atmosphere, a good summertime event.”

Players took time between matches in the round-robin format to head for the air conditioning and watch some Wimbledon matches.

“Just get in the shade as much as possible,” Brestensky said. “The heat doesn't bother me. I enjoy playing in it, actually. The sun getting in your eyes is the biggest thing.”

Brestensky was the No. 2 singles player at Butler High School last season and hopes to be at No. 1 singles during her upcoming senior campaign.

Jack Boros, 18, represented Butler Country Club in the event for the fifth time. His playing partner was 14-year-old Molly Conlon. Sevryn Napora and Elle Santora were BCC's 12-under tandem.

“(Molly) and I have never played tennis together before,” Boros said. “There's a feeling out process where you figure out what the other player can and can't do on the court. You adjust accordingly.”

“I haven't played mixed doubles, especially with someone four years older than me,” Conlon said. “This is different. The serves come at you a lot faster.”

And Friday, it was a lot hotter.

“Go in the air conditioning and cool down when you get the chance,” Boros said. “It's worth being out here. This is good tennis.”