PENN TWP— For Evan Kowalski, Stefan Kemp and Melissa King Aliucci, the fifth annual Butler Country Club Tennis Pro-Am was all about challenges.

Kowalski and Kemp, the No. 2 and 3 singles players on the Butler High boys team, played with and against some of the top tennis pros in Western Pennsylvania during Sunday's event.

"We played in it last year, too,"Kowalski said. "It's a different event and it really tests your skills.

"You learn your weaknesses a lot more because they will come out against competition like this."

Kemp teamed with Kenny Nieser, the head tennis pro at Chapel Gate Swim Club in Fox Chapel, to finish second in the men's doubles and second in the overall standings.

Nieser, Annie Succop and Kemp finished one point shy of champions Vishal Punna-Stacie Lowery and Chuck Lenns.

"I did a lot better this year than last year,"said Kemp, a sophomore at Butler. "It's a lot different here than in high school tennis.

"In a high school match, there might be one or two really good players. Here, every player is outstanding. You need to be on top of your game to even stay in a match."

Kowalski and Kemp became members of the Butler Country Club junior tennis program when they were 9. They were two of seven former BCCjunior tennis team members involved in Sunday's pro-am.

The others were Jay Barkley, Annie and Nate Succop, Aliucci and Doug Johnston.

"This is like a family reunion today," said longtime BCCtennis pro Whitney Snyder. "What I like about this event is so many kids who used to play here come back and compete as adults."

That includes Aliucci, a 1988 Mars graduate who was the point guard on the girls basketball team, ran the 100 meters and 400-meter relay in track and was the only girl on the boys tennis team for the Planets.

Mars did not offer a girls tennis program then.

Aliucci, a former assistant pro with Snyder who now plays out of Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford, competed in the men's doubles Sunday.

"They were short a man and Whit called and asked me if I'd play,"Aliucci said. "I love challenges and I'd do anything for Whit. We've been friends for 20 years."

Aliucci's partner in men's doubles was Jose Raymundo, whom she teamed with to win the Cystic Fibrosis Mixed Doubles Tournament at Oxford earlier this year.

"It helped to play with Jose because we know each other so well,"Aliucci said. "Still, this was quite a challenge. The game is faster and the serves come harder when you're playing against men.

"I don't get to do something like this very often, but it has to help my game."

Aliucci played on the Oxford squad that won the Pittsburgh Tennis League championship this summer.

Notes:BCCclub member Jay Barkley teamed with his father, Jack Barkley, in men's doubles. His mother, Judy Barkley, teamed with Bill Pilardi in mixed doubles. ... Kristen Singleton grew up as one of the strongest players at Hill Crest Country Club and teamed with Hill Crest club pro Jeff Layman in mixed doubles.

Butler Country Club Tennis Pro-AmFinal Standings1st:14 points: Vishal Punna-Stacie Lowery-Chuck Lenns

2nd:13 points: Kenny Nieser-Annie Succop-Stefan Kemp

3rd (tie): 10 points: Vikas Punna-Marci Mustello-Doug Johnston

3rd (tie):10 points: Jose Raymundo-Ann Gatty-Melissa Aliucci

3rd (tie): 10 points: Koach Conroy-Caroline Haser-Evan Kowalski

6th (tie):5 points: Jeff Layman-Kristen Singleton-Andrew Fillan

6th (tie):5 points: Bill Pilardi-Judy Barkley-Nate Succop

6th (tie): 5 points: Jay Barkley-Mary Jo Sylvia-Jack Barkley

Mixed Doubles championship: Vishal Punna-Stacie Lowery def. Koach Conroy-Carolina Haser

Men's Doubles championship: Vikas Punna-Doug Johnston def. Kenny Nieser-Stefan Kemp

1st place pro: Vishal Punna

2nd place pro: Kenny Nieser