Belle Vernon's Dusi wins 2nd WPIAL tennis title

By The Observer-Reporter

BETHEL PARK – Belle Vernon junior Gabriella Dusi won her second WPIAL Class 2A singles tennis championship Thursday, defeating Hampton's Grace Stitt 6-1, 6-0, in the finals held on the outdoor courts at Bethel Park High School.

Dusi advances to the PIAA Championships that will be held Nov. 1-2 in Hershey.

"It's special to not only win but win two years in a row," Dusi said. "This year, I feel like I made a lot of improvements and was able to be more consistent."

Dusi was the top seed in the WPIAL tournament after winning a section championship last week with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory over Oakland Catholic's Mollie Sclichter in the finals.

Dusi received a first-round bye in the WPIAL tournament and routed North Catholic's Brea Kelley 10-0 in the quarterfinals. She defeated Beaver's Anna Mrkonja 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals to advance to the championship round.

"This year was different because I was expected to win the tournament, so you have that pressure," Dusi said. "Everything was working today. My forehand was a strength today."

Last year, Dusi advanced to the state quarterfinals.

Belle Vernon does not have a girls tennis team. Dusi is a member of the Upper St. Clair tennis development program.