In just its second year of existence, the Chartiers-Houston High School boys' tennis program has qualified for the PIAA tournament.

The Bucs placed third in the WPIAL Class AA team tournament last week, defeating Valley, 3-2, in the consolation match Friday at the Club 4 Life in Monroeville.

Chartiers-Houston finished 18-3 after losing to Fairview, 3-2, in the first round of the PIAA tournament.

The Bucs, were led by sisters Karli and Tanya Timko at first and second singles. Because there is no girls' tennis program at Chartiers-Houston, the Timko sisters were eligible to play for the boys' team.

"We had a club team [for boys] three years ago, but last year was our first real, official year [as a varsity program]," Bucs coach Chuck Taylor said. "Karli and Tanya being on the team, of course, made the boys' team that much stronger.

"That allowed the team to take that next step and compete with the best teams around. But all these kids are great kids. They're all excited, especially the seniors. It's pretty special."

Senior captains Ed Bush and Chris Cregut play first doubles. Rich Andreolli, who teams with junior Shane Moss to form the second doubles team, and Karli Timko are also seniors.

Along with the Timkos, sophomore third singles player A.J. Noce was victorious in the win against Valley.

The Bucs' only two defeats this season were to Mount Pleasant, with which it split two regular-season meetings as well as the Section 1-AA title, before losing to the Vikings in the WPIAL semifinals.

The Timkos also won the WPIAL Class AA boys' doubles championship. The 2007 PIAA girls' doubles tournament champions, the Timkos will play in the PIAA boys' doubles tournament May 22 at the Hershey Racquet Club.

They did not lose a set in winning the section and WPIAL doubles championships.

"If they face some big servers who hit hard and can overpower them at states, that's the only thing I'm concerned about," Taylor said.

"If we get into a groundstroke game, I will put our girls up against anyone up there."