Keith Barnes
Tri-State Sports & News Service, Post-Gazette, September 15, 2022
Fox Chapel pulled off an upset of North Allegheny to make it into the WPIAL Class 3A girls team tennis semifinals last year, then nearly came up with another in a 3-2 loss to Latrobe.
This year, though, the Foxes might need a little more magic if they are to contend for their first title since 2004.
“I feel like we’re coming along,” Fox Chapel coach Alex Slezak said. “We have a young team, but I like the prospects of where we’re going.”
Fox Chapel is being led at the No. 1 singles spot by freshman Chanel Brun, who is currently No. 12 in her class in the state. The Foxes also have a sophomore at No. 2 in Sienna Siegel, who was the No. 2 singles player last season and played in the Section 3 doubles tournament, while 2021 doubles player, junior Sophie Carvelli, has moved up to the No. 3 singles spot.
It has been quite a while since Fox Chapel turned over the No. 1 singles spot to a freshman, but so far it has worked out.
“She’s young and has a lot to learn. But she’s growing quickly and she’s figured things out,” Slezak said. “I’m learning how best I can help her. It’s good to have her there, but it’s a learning experience for her as well.”
Fox Chapel got a tough lesson to open the season as it dropped a 4-1 decision to Mt. Lebanon, but since that time the team has thrived. The Foxes entered the week with four consecutive victories as they prepared to host the section singles tournament.
Even so, Fox Chapel is neither raising nor lowering the bar as it enters the season midpoint, which is signaled by the beginning of individual tournaments.
“I never really have expectations for any season. We go out and practice and play matches and try to get a little bit better every day,” Slezak said. “We use some matches to build confidence, we use some to test ourselves and just try to build momentum through the season and into the playoffs.”