The Fox Chapel Area High School Boys’ Tennis Team just made history as the school’s first-ever WPIAL champions in that sport after a hard-fought victory over North Allegheny High School, 3-2. Earlier this month, the team also captured the WPIAL AAA Section 3 title with a perfect 13-0 record.
The team now advances to the first round of the PIAA championships where they will face Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School on Tuesday, May 17, at The Club Sport and Health in Monroeville, Pa.
“We had some solid performances and then we had some close, close matches that could have gone either way,” says first-year Coach Alex Slezak. “We knew going in that North Allegheny was going to give us a battle. But our guys were well prepared and competed well.”
Robby Shymansky, who is ranked as the number-one freshman in the state, won his match 7-5, 6-1, while senior Sidd Rajupet defeated his opponent 7-5, 6-3. Junior Neil Bencherif lost 6-3, 1-6, 5-7. Doubles partners Jared Nord, a freshman, and senior Tomi Fennell won their match 6-2, 6-1, while sophomore Kurran Singh and freshman Jay Kashap fell short, 6-7, 6-3, 6-7.
“I didn’t have any expectations going into this year,” Coach Slezak says. “My only goal was to build a culture of excellence where they worked hard, held one another accountable and competed with their whole heart. I’m thrilled we won the title, but even more thrilled at how they came together as a team.”
Congratulations and good luck at the PIAA Boys’ Team Tennis Championship!