No matter how the WPIAL Class AAA Section 3 girls’ tennis doubles championship finals turned out on October 17, there was no way the Lady Foxes could lose. That’s because the tandem of Amanda Nord and Charlotte James, the reigning state and WPIAL doubles champions, and Molly Wiese and Kristen Friday, who paired up again this year for the post-season, both reached the tournament finale.
In the end, the number one seed, Amanda, a senior, and Charlotte, a sophomore, won the title again this year. But there were just as many congratulatory hugs for Molly, a senior, and junior Kristen. The two were unranked going into the playoffs, but through hard play knocked out the second- and third-ranking doubles teams to land in the finals.
“It was a fun day for all of the girls,” says Coach Alex Slezak. “Things went pretty much as expected for Amanda and Charlotte, but I’m also very proud of Kristen and Molly for remaining so focused on their games and playing so well.”
The girls now move on to the WPIAL playoffs that will be held October 19 and 20 at North Allegheny High School. Going into the tournament, Amanda and Charlotte will be the top seed. Now in her final year of high school, Amanda already has won three previous WPIAL doubles championships and two PIAA titles. If the duo succeeds this year and Amanda wins a fourth WPIAL title, she will become only the second girls’ tennis player in WPIAL history to reach that milestone.