After achieving a record-breaking season this year, the WT Girls Tennis team has a lot to be proud of. In recent memory, the team has faced a road block every single year in getting past the second round of WPIAL playoffs. This year, that record was far surpassed, with the team qualifying for states both as a whole and in section doubles.

Heading into the second round of WPIAL playoffs, the team’s expectations were low. This was the threshold that historically had yet to be crossed. The team was shocked when they won that match, then the next, and then the next, qualifying for PIAA championships for the first time in WT history.

The team’s improvement can be tracked against their longtime section rival Oakland Catholic. In 2024, WT lost 5-0 to Oakland Catholic. Early in the 2025 season, the team suffered only one section loss, which was 3-2 against Oakland Catholic. The team then went on to beat Oakland Catholic 4-1 in WPIAL playoffs. This win qualified WT to be the third team to represent Western Pennsylvania in the PIAA championship.

Their improvement is also marked by winning a monumental amount of matches this season that were lost last season, including those against both in section and out of section teams. Notably, the team beat out of section Moon Area School 5-0 this year, following a 2-3 loss from the season prior.

In the first round of states, WT faced Cathedral Prep, a high school in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team was not able to pull out a win this time, but players remained in high spirits, optimistic for next season.

Although Winchester Thurston lost to Cathedral Prep, the season of firsts is not yet over.  Tomorrow, October 31st, doubles tandem of senior Marann Buckanovich and freshman Veronica Zinski will compete in the PIAA doubles state tournament. Go bears!