H.S. Sports Central

If Janice Irwin has mixed emotions and, perhaps, starts rooting for an opposing player today in the PIAA Class AAA team tennis final, she can be excused.

Irwin, Upper St. Clair's coach for the past 26 years, also is a tennis pro who instructs girls on the WPIAL champion Peters Township team that may meet USC today for the state title at the Hershey Racquet Club.

Upper St. Clair and Peters Township moved into today's semifinals with quarterfinal victories Friday. Peters Township beat District 1 runner-up Abington, 5-0, and Upper St. Clair defeated previously undefeated District 1 champion Wissahickon, 4-1.

"I think we have an excellent chance (to advance to the title game)," Irwin said. "I think we played the third-best team in the tournament (Wissahickon). We had lost to Peters Township in the WPIAL finals, but it was a super-close match. I know the (rematch) can go either way."

For that to happen, however, both teams must win their semifinal matches.

Peters Township meets Radnor, the fourth-place team from District 1, at 1:30 p.m., after Upper St. Clair (18-1) clashes with W.C. Henderson, third from District 1, at noon. The championship match is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Singles players Claudia Escribens and Megan Adamo set the pace early for Upper St. Clair, winning, 7-5, 6-0 and 6-0, 6-0, respectively.

Class AA

Quaker Valley 3, Moravian Academy 2 -- After a close victory in the PIAA Class AA tournament, Quaker Valley coach Jeff Sebastian believes his team hasn't played its best tennis.

"I think the girls were a little nervous and started a little tight today," he said.

The quarterfinal showdown against District 11 champion Moravian Academy was a back-and-forth battle.

The score was 2-2 heading into the final doubles match when Caroline Gensheimer and Mica Rollock sealed the victory for Quaker Valley with a 6-2, 6-3 win.

Quaker Valley plays District 3 champion Wyomissing in the semifinals at 9 a.m. today.

With only two seniors, Sebastian said inexperience might have been a factor.

"I expect them to feel much more comfortable (today)," he said. "Only two of the seven girls have been to Hershey before, so this is a new experience. Once they are settled in, I think we are going to be OK."

Sebastian is hoping for a trip to the finals and maybe an encounter with a team close from home.

"I would really like to be in the finals with Sewickley Academy," he said. "Seeing two teams from the area go at it in the championship round would be really great to see."

Sewickley Academy 5, Bishop Guilfoyle 0 -- Sewickley Academy put on an impressive performance in its quarterfinal game.

Aimee Fadden and Caroline Ross won their doubles match, 6-0, 6-0.

Sewickley Academy will face Harriton in the semifinals at 10:30 a.m. today.

Harriton 5, Greensburg Central Catholic 0 -- Greensburg Central Catholic fell in its quarterfinal match, losing all five matches to District 1 champion Harriton.

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