Chris Gladden & Luke Ross Win WPIAL Boys Singles Tennis Crowns

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 | 12:56 AM

Stakes were high at Shady Side Academy on Tuesday afternoon as the WPIAL crowned Chris Gladden and Luke Ross as its first champions of the spring season on the tennis courts.

All eight of the championship and consolation competitors had to face challenges that were handed to them by Mother Nature. Although the skies were clear, the temperatures plummeted to around 45 degrees and heavy wind gusts were consistent for the duration of the match.

In the AA Championship, Luke Ross of Sewickley Academy took home his second WPIAL title in the last three seasons after defeating defending champion and 2015 bronze medal winner in the PIAA tournament, Luke Phillips of Carlynton.

Ross told MSA Sports’ Sean Meyers that the weather had some impact as both he and Phillips are offensive minded players. However, Ross didn’t slow down because of it, winning in straight sets 6-1 and 6-2.

In the consolation matchup, Ross’s teammate at Sewickley Academy, Sam Sauter advanced to the state tournament with his victory in straight sets of California Trojan, John Monroe by way of 6-4 and 6-1 marks.

The AAA final lasted a bit longer than that of the AA, that due to many long rallies by both Sidd Rajupet of Fox Chapel and last year’s runner up, Chris Gladden of Canon-McMillan. Despite Rajupet’s great defensive game, Gladden took his game to the next level. After a slower start in the first set, finding himself down 3-2, Gladden caught fire, dominating the remainder of the afternoon as he won in straight sets over Rajupet, 6-3 and 6-1.

Rajupet’s teammate, Robby Shymansky found himself in a battle for a state tournament berth with Ben Vinarski of Pine-Richland. Shymansky, the AAA section 3 champion, bounced back from a defeat in the semi-finals a day prior to Rajupet and took down Vinarski in straight sets 6-2 and 6-1 to advance to Hershey.

Tags: Canon-McMillan