WASHINGTON, Pa. — Knoch's bid for a repeat was denied.

Now the Knights are bidding for redemption.

Top-seeded Knoch (11-2) dropped a 4-1 decision to second-seeded Sewickley Academy in the WPIAL Class 2A girls tennis championship match Wednesday at Washington & Jefferson College's Janet Swanson Tennis Center.

“That match was a lot closer than the final score indicates,” Knoch coach Nance Conlon said.

The Knights' lone victory came at No. 2 singles, where sophomore Emily Greb posted a 6-1, 6-0 triumph.

Ally Bauer dropped her No. 1 singles match, 6-4, 6-0, to WPIAL 2A singles champion Ashley Close. Lindsey Greb lost in straight sets at No. 3 singles, the second being by a 6-3 count.

Knoch's first doubles team of Ava Santora and Jade Nether lost the first set by a 7-3 tiebreaker before losing the second, 6-3. The Knights' second doubles team of Kenzie Gumto and Lara Ejzak lost 6-3, 6-0.

“We were in every match,” Conlon said. “We haven't faced competition of that caliber all season. They just got us.

“But our plan is to get another shot at them.”

Knoch still qualifies for the PIAA Tournament and will play in the first round locally on Tuesday. Its opponent has not been determined.

The state quarterfinals will take place Oct. 29 at the Hershey Racquet Club. The state semifinals and finals are Oct. 30 in Hershey.

“I feel good about our chances if we run up against them again,” Bauer said of the Panthers. “They have a lot of depth and they play well, obviously, but we can match up with them.

“The first set is important in any match, but especially against this team. You don't want to have to comeback against them.”

Sewickley Academy and Knoch met for the WPIAL championship for the fifth straight year. The Knights won the title last year while the Panthers have won the other four.

Knoch's only other loss this season was to Fox Chapel.

“Not at all. I have no concerns there,” Conlon said of any drop in confidence among her players. “We know the level we're up against. We'll go back to practice, look at what went wrong today and work to get better.”

The Panthers did not lose a match in the WPIAL team tourney — blanking Ringgold, Quaker Valley and Beaver by 5-0 scores — before losing one to Knoch. After getting a first-round bye, the Knights defeated Central Valley (5-0) and South Park (4-1) to reach the final.

Knoch won its sixth straight section championship earlier this season.

“We haven't played a team of this (Sewickley Academy) caliber and maybe that hurt us in this match,” Bauer said. “That doesn't mean we can't beat them.

“It will be a different match at states if we get another chance. We all believe that.”

Sewickley Academy 4, Knoch 1

Singles: 1-Ashley Close (SA) def. Ally Bauer 6-4, 6-0; 2-Emily Greb (K) def. Milla Ivanova 6-1, 6-0; 3-Kirsten Close (SA) def. Lindsey Greb 6-0, 6-3

Doubles: 1-Anjali Shah/Rayna Thakkar (SA) def. Ava Santora/Jade Nether 7-6 (3), 6-3; 2-Maria Silvaggio/Roshni Thakkar (SA) def. Kenzie Gumto/Lara Ejzak 6-3, 6-0