Sewickley Academy freshmen win section doubles titles

A pair of skilled freshmen at Sewickley Academy won the Section 5-2A doubles championship in girls tennis Oct. 1 at Nichols Courts.

Mila Palguta and Marlowe Wentz defeated Quaker Valley’s Kate Miller and Grace Jadlowiec, 6-3, 7-6 (0), in the championship match.

“We went in with not much hope of winning but ended up having a good mindset and worked as a team,” Wentz, 14, said. “I’ve played tennis in the summer since I was little; my main sport is lacrosse.”

Miller, a junior, and Jadlowiec, a sophomore, were the tournament’s No. 1 seed; Palguta and Wentz were seeded second. Both doubles tandems received first-round byes.

Palguta and Wentz, who are Sewickley residents, beat Central Valley sophomores Ellie Davis and Lexie Fried, 10-4, in the quarterfinal round. The CV duo was seeded 10th.

The Panthers pair then withstood a strong challenge by Quaker Valley sophomores Lily McClain and Lucy John in the semifinals, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 against the No. 3 seed.

“I’m very proud and excited we won section doubles this year,” Palguta said, “and it couldn’t have been done without the support of our teammates and coaches, Whitney (Snyder) and Nick (Mross).”

The 15-year-old Palguta has been playing tennis since she was 5.

“I’d like to thank everyone on the Sewickley Academy girls tennis team for all their support,” she said, “including parents, friends and coaches. Also, my coach outside of the team, Jess, for helping me as well.”

QV’s Miller and Jadlowic advanced to the finals by blanking the No. 9 seed, Carlynton senior Ashley Mulligan and junior Peyston Pularski, 10-0, and brushing aside Central Valley underclassmen Claire Brett and Maci Kownacki, 6-0, 6-2. Brett, a freshman, and Kownacki, a sophomore, were seeded fifth.

QV’s McClain and John beat Keystone Oaks juniors Charlette Davis and Lily Petropaulo, the No. 14 seed, 10-0, and Ambridge seniors Mariona Kosta and Maren Uvodich, the sixth seed, 10-2, in the first two rounds.

The top three finishers qualified for the WPIAL doubles championships.

QV’s McClain and John placed third in the section by rolling past CV’s Brett and Kowanacki, 6-1, 6-1, in the consolation round.