By: Tribune-Review 
Friday, May 20, 2022 | 6:46 PM

One WPIAL boys tennis team remains in the hunt for a PIAA title after Quaker Valley earned a 3-1 win over District 6 champion Juniata in the state quarterfinals Friday at Hershey Racquet Club.

Mike Sirianni won at first singles, and the doubles teams of Henry Veeck/Justin Hajdukiewicz and Michael Lipton/Chase Merkel also were victorious for the Quakers, who will play the winner of Central Columbia and Masterman in the semifinals at 2 p.m. Saturday in Hershey.

The winning team advances to the finals at 6 p.m.

Three other WPIAL teams fell short in the PIAA quarterfinals Friday in Hershey.

In Class 3A, WPIAL champion Fox Chapel lost 5-0 to District 1 runner-up Conestoga.

Will Siegel, Cooper Friday and Ananth Kashyap lost singles matches in straight sets. Mason Friday/Travis Malone and Jack Delaney/Ben Hallman lost doubles matches in two sets.

WPIAL runner-up Shady Side Academy dropped a 5-0 decision to District 1 champion Lower Merion.

David Mnuskin, Sam Bitzer and Chase Hartman lost singles matches in straight sets. In doubles, Sai Chaudry/Siddarth Ramineni and Tommy Certo/Rob Brunins lost in two sets.

In Class 2A, WPIAL third-place finisher Central Valley lost to District 3 champion Lancaster Country Day, 3-0.

Christian Kosinski, Ryan Hardek and Nathan Noel all lost singles matches in straight sets. The doubles matches featuring Gonzalo Diez Villarino/Aryan Kalidindi and Chandler King/Christian Hoin were not completed.

By: Tribune-Review 
Saturday, May 21, 2022 | 9:43 PM

WPIAL champion Quaker Valley saw its bid for a PIAA Class 2A team tennis title end in the state semifinals Saturday in Hershey.

The Quakers lost to eventual state champ Masterman, 3-2.

For Quaker Valley, Will Sirianni defeated Daniel Li, 6-4, 6-0, at No. 2 singles and Henry Veeck and Justin Hajduklewicz beat Jonnah Berger and Gabriel Crothall, 6-3, 6-3, at No. 1 doubles.

The pivotal match was at No. 2 doubles, where Masterman’s Emil Jermann and Owen Erdman edged out Quaker Valley’s Michael Lipton and Chase Merkel in a three-set battle, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-1.

Masterman also won at No. 1 and No. 3 singles. Ajay Steth topped Quaker Valley’s Mike Sirianni, 6-4, 6-2, and Kevin McHale beat QV’s Devin Carter, 6-2, 6-0.

Masterman went on to defeat Lancaster Country Day, 3-2, in the finals.

In Class 3A, Lower Merion beat Conestoga, 3-1, in the championship match.

By: Ray Fisher 
Sunday, May 22, 2022 | 9:01 AM

It’s being acclaimed as “Championship Wednesday” at Quaker Valley.

Two teams at QV reeled in WPIAL championships on Wednesday, May 11, and did so in impressive fashion.

The girls track and field squad won its first WPIAL title since 2007, defeating Greensburg Central Catholic, 83-67, Riverside, 85-65, and Shenango, 89-61, at the Class 2A finals at Peters Township.

The boys tennis team, seeded No. 1, repeated as Class 2A champion with a 3-2 win against North Catholic at the WPIAL finals at the Janet L. Swanson Tennis Center at Washington & Jefferson College.

“It was a great day for Quaker Valley athletics to capture two spring WPIAL titles in the same few hours,” said Mike Mastroianni, QV’s director of athletics and student activities. “A big congrats to our student-athletes on both the girls track and boys tennis teams, and to both of our coaching staffs.”

Quaker Valley’s girls track and field squad was led by winning performances in all three relays, and individually by sophomore Ellie Cain, freshman Cecilia Montagnese and junior Nora Johns.

“I am very proud of the girls for their efforts at the championship meet,” coach Jared Jones said. “Winning the WPIAL team championship was a goal we set last year when we tied Mohawk (at the WPIAL championships). Even though we tied the champion, we ended up taking third as a team. This year, we were trying our best not to be in that situation.

“Going into the meet, we knew we weren’t the favorites but that we had a chance to win. The only way we could beat all three schools is if each girl put forth her best effort. At the end of the day, each girl tried her very best, and their hard work paid off.”

Senior Anna Cohen, junior Kathryn Karwoski, sophomore Kate Hines and Cain and made up the Quakers’ 3,200 relay team. The 400 relayers, who won in a photo finish, were freshmen Vanessa Pickett and Kwilai Karto, sophomore Spencer Elliott and Johns. Karwoski, Hines, Cain and Johns competed in the 1,600 relay.

“The turning point for our team against Greensburg Central Catholic was when our 4-by-100 relay defeated GCC by 0.18 seconds,” Jones said. “GCC had the No. 1 seed going into that meet; QV was ranked 15th. When I brought it to their attention, Vanessa, Kwilai, Spencer and Nora embraced the challenge and wanted to beat the best team.”

Individually, Cain won the 400 and 800, Montagnese captured the 1,600 and 3,200 runs, and Johns took first place in the 300 hurdles. Johns also placed second in the 100 hurdles.

Karto finished second in the 100 and third in the 200 and 400. Pickett placed sixth in the 100 and fifth in the 200. Hines ended up fourth in the 1,600.

In the field events, senior Ainsley Commens tied for first in the pole vault and Karwoski placed second in the high jump.

Other QV medalists included freshman Joyce Olawaiye (triple jump), senior Ellie Bates (triple jump), senior Ameilia Herrmann (discus), freshman Sarah Minard (pole vault), freshman Joyce Lee Mauer (javelin), junior Paige Nichols (shot put), sophomore Kathryn Main (high jump) and Elliott (long jump).

“Every girl’s performance played a role in this team victory,” Jones said. “Several girls had personal bests.”

QV’s girls team took second place in Section 8-3A this season against the likes of Ambridge, Avonworth, Beaver, Blackhawk, Central Valley and New Castle.

Back-to-back on the court

At W&J, Quaker Valley’s boys tennis team quickly won three matches against North Catholic to clinch its second straight WPIAL crown.

“To say I am excited for our boys and what they have achieved not just this year so far — but also the last few years — would be a gross understatement. I am over the moon,” coach Christi Hays said. “It is the sweet payoff for all the hard work every single one of them has put in. This group is very close and they get along really well. They definitely have a singular mindset, and that is, we win or lose as a team. Every spot on the team is equally important.

“North Catholic was trying not only to win WPIAL team but also win the WPIAL trifecta — singles, doubles and team. That hadn’t been done in 2A since Sewickley Academy did it in 2018.”

QV’s senior doubles tandem Justin Hadjukiewicz and Henry Veeck defeated senior Ken Canavan and sophomore Justin Kontul.

Senior Michael Lipton and sophomore Chase Merkel also won against NC junior Tim Von Preussen and senior Justin Siket.

“Our two doubles teams took over and completely flipped the script,” Hays said. “Not only did our doubles teams win, but they did it quickly and decisively.

“So many times there is so much emphasis on the single spots, but our doubles teams have been outstanding all year. Thanks to them, we quickly found ourselves up 2-1.”

QV senior Will Sirianni clinched the championship by defeating senior Brody Golla, 6-4, 7-5, at No. 2 singles.

“Will got off to an atypical slow start and was down 1-4 before he turned on the jets and won the next five games and the first set,” Hays said. “Will dug deep and showed so much heart, resolve and spirit to pull out the second set and secure the title for us.”

Seniors Mike Sirianni and Devin Carter competed at No. 1 and No. 3 singles for the Quakers

“Every time I visualized the match, I really liked our chances,” Hays said. “So many times competition in any sport is about matchups. Yes, they had Nicolas Scheller at No. 1, but I felt we were deeper.

“Mike Sirianni’s job was to defeat Scheller if he could, but at least keep him on the court as long as he could so North Catholic didn’t get a quick point and the momentum. Mike did his job, and I think he surprised Scheller a bit.

“And even knowing the match was already decided, Devin battled on. By doing that, he gained invaluable experience that will carry going into the state playoffs.”

Rounding out QV’s varsity roster this season are senior Ryan Edwards, junior Michel Snyder, sophomores Joseph Veeck, Grant Webb and Brahm Gianiodis and freshman Grayson Beatty.

“Winning the WPIAL title last year — Quaker Valley’s first since 2003 — was a new experience and so exciting but maybe a little unexpected,” Hays said. “So going into this year we knew exactly what we needed to do. And as any team will tell you, repeating is difficult to do.

“The fact that we were able to do it was thrilling, and to match the accomplishment of QV’s 2002-03 team is a tribute to this team.”

QV repeated as section champion this season with a 14-0 record. Individually, the Quakers won 65 matches and lost only five.

QV defeated South Park, 3-2, in the WPIAL finals last year.

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, April 10, 2022 | 8:01 AM

Quaker Valley’s boys tennis team is the defending WPIAL Class 2A champion.

And with a senior-laden roster this spring — including the top three players from last year, Mike Sirianni, Will Sirianni and Henry Veeck — the Quakers covet their chances of repeating.

The QV netters are coached by Christi Hays, who began her fifth season with a 38-7 career record.

“In 2019, we were WPIAL finalists and quarters at states,” Hays said. “2020 was the covid year, and in 2021 we were WPIAL champs and advanced to quarters at states. Even though both of those seasons by any standard were highly successful, the boys and I just couldn’t help feeling that we had left ‘chips on the table.’

“So to say we are extremely excited about our prospects for this year is an understatement. We are all-in and we think we have the squad to do it. It’s almost an ‘embarrassment of riches’ with so many returning players. We have great talent and great depth which is important with the high school format of three singles and two doubles making up a match.

“But it is so very important not to get ‘too far over our skis,’ meaning we have to take each step as it comes and take care of business one match at a time. Expectations are a slippery slope. You still have to actually stay the course and stay upright. That’s our goal.”

Last year, after earning the No. 1 seed, Quaker Valley captured its first WPIAL title since 2003 with a 3-2 victory over South Park.

Also last year, the Quakers were section champs, advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals and ended up 13-1 overall.

Mike Sirianni, competing at No. 1 singles, was 10-3, won the section title and finished as a WPIAL silver medalist.

Will Sirianni, at No. 2 singles, placed fourth in the WPIAL after taking second in the section. He also was a WPIAL runner-up at doubles and racked up an 11-1 record.

The Sirianni twins are joined by Veeck, at No. 3 singles. who was 10-2 a year ago.

“We really don’t want to get ahead of ourselves,” Veeck said. “We want to stay humble and just win a match at a time. With that being said, we did win WPIALs last year, and I think the team this year is better. We lost two important players from last year, but every single starter this year has really improved a noticeable amount.

“I came into this year looking to hold onto my third singles spot, and it looks like that is going to work out. It was tough because of everyone improving a lot. But beyond that, I want to be a leader of the team. It’s kind of tough because all seven starters are seniors, so it’s not like I have age on anyone. But I am trying to lead where I can and be a vocal player.”

At doubles play, seniors Michael Lipton, Justin Hajdukiewicz and Devin Carter and sophomore Chase Merkel are back. Lipton (11-1) and Hajdukiewicz (9-1) combined to go 20-2 last season.

Lipton and Veeck placed fourth at last year’s WPIAL doubles tournament. Hajdukiewicz also was a leading doubles player last spring and won the deciding match against South Park at the WPIAL team finals.

“But they all will get chances at singles,” Hays said.

Filling out this year’s varsity roster are senior Ryan Edwards, junior Michel Snyder, sophomores Joseph Veeck, Grant Webb and Brahm Gianiodis, and Grayson Beatty, a top freshman prospect.

“Ryan Edwards is back after taking two years off to concentrate on soccer,” Hays said. “He adds great depth, leadership and versatility and that state championship mentality having been a standout on the QV state champion soccer team.

“Our strength is definitely our experience and team depth. And we’ve also gotten a lot of inspiration from all the success of our QV fall and winter sports teams.”

The Quakers have played the role of powerhouse in the first half of the season, racking up 6-0 section and 8-0 overall records.

Henry Veeck, who plays tennis year-round, is a member of student council at QV, and volunteers in his local youth group. He has a 3.8 GPA and is considering continuing his career at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Veeck offered some additional insight on this year’s tennis team.

“I think our team’s greatest strength is the culture,” Henry Veeck said. “Our coach says we’re very goofy, and she is right but in a good way. Since all the starters are seniors, we’ve been going to school together since middle school and played on the team together since our freshman year.

“We’re very tight and know each other very well. We’re good at picking each other up and having fun. That is definitely one of the reasons we’re so good; we just have fun. We all want to be here. We’ve looked forward to this season all year.”

Along with the postseason.