Valley is headed to the WPIAL Class 2A boys tennis championship match for the first time in program history, following a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hampton in Monday’s semifinal at North Allegheny High School.
The undefeated Vikings (13-0), seeded second, secured their spot in Wednesday’s title match against No. 4 North Catholic at 3:30 p.m. at Washington & Jefferson College’s Janet L. Swanson Tennis Center.
“I’m just so genuinely happy for them,” said Valley head coach Rachael Link. “They’ve earned respect from the start. This team has worked so hard, and today’s result is a reflection of that.”
Valley’s postseason run began with a 5-0 sweep of Carlynton, followed by a tight 3-2 win over No. 7 Quaker Valley in the quarterfinals. Monday’s win not only propelled them to the WPIAL final but also punched their ticket to the PIAA tournament, which begins next Tuesday and wraps up May 16–17 in Hershey.
The Vikings started strong with senior Landon Harclerode dominating at No. 1 singles, defeating Jaxson Mayer 6-1, 6-0. Tyler Quinn followed up with a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles over Weston Gross to give Valley a quick 2-0 lead.
Hampton answered at No. 1 doubles, as the brother duo of AJ and Zane List cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 win over Jake Ervin and Josh Serena, narrowing the match score to 2-1.
The clinching point came at No. 2 doubles. Valley’s Jackson Dameron and Maddox DeAntonio edged out Chase Essig and Sam Holmes 6-4, 6-2, with DeAntonio delivering the final point on serve.
“The match itself was electrifying,” DeAntonio said. “We just stayed focused and executed. It feels amazing to prove ourselves and make school history.”
The final match of the day, No. 3 singles between Valley’s Baxter Diehm and Hampton’s JJ Edwards, was the only one to go three sets. After splitting the first two sets, Edwards came from behind in the third to win 7-5, sealing the Talbots’ second point.
Despite the loss, Hampton (10-5) remains in the hunt for a state playoff spot. The Talbots will face South Park in Wednesday’s third-place match, with the winner also advancing to the PIAA tournament.
“We knew today would be close,” said Hampton coach Grant McKinney. “It came down to confidence and execution. Valley’s a great team, and Coach Link does a fantastic job with her players.”
Now, Valley will look to complete its undefeated season with a WPIAL title—something the program has never done before.
“We said at the start of the season we were going to make the championship,” Harclerode said. “Now we’re here, and we have the chance to finish it.”
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