Carly Schoenstein qualified for the WPIAL Class AAA doubles tournament each of her first two seasons on the Bethel Park girls' tennis team.

She liked it so much, this year she's going at it alone.

Schoenstein qualified for the WPIAL singles tournament by finishing among the top three in the Section 5-AAA singles tournament last week at Trinity High School.

She will represent the Black Hawks tomorrow at Norwin High School, and should she win two matches there, the championship and consolation matches are Friday, also at Norwin.

"Making it to WPIALs is a great accomplishment, and when you play in this section, it's very tough," Bethel Park coach Doug Addington said.

"She's very tough mentally as a player. She runs down every ball and she never gives up and has got a good fighting spirit. She keeps the ball in play and really, really makes people beat her. And she's a good overall athlete, too."

Schoenstein last season teamed with Sam Bruggerman to place third in the section doubles tournament and as a freshman, her and Lizzy Yestikul took second. Both times, Schoenstein lost in the first round.

Her only previous opportunity at singles was two years ago, when she advanced to the semifinals of the section tournament. As a first-time entrant -- and with so many top tournament-level players entered in the event -- Schoenstein is going in with reasonable expectations.

The top two finishers at the WPIAL tournament advance to the PIAA singles tournament next month in Hershey.

"A lot of it depends on how the draw goes, but there are a lot of really good players in that tournament," Addington said. "It will be tough for her, but she's looking forward to the challenge."

"I'm actually really excited to go and just give it my best shot," Schoenstein said.

Schoenstein plays second singles for a Black Hawks team that had won six of seven team matches through the first time through the section schedule heading into a match this past Monday against Trinity.

The reigning section champion, Bethel Park lost to Peters Township but is looking forward to the rematch with the Indians next week. Earning a win in that contest would likely put the Black Hawks on track possibly to share the section crown.

"I think we do have a chance of beating them," Schoenstein said. "We just have to really practice and have everyone at the top of their games. If so, we can pull it out. We will see what happens."

Experienced juniors hold the three singles spots in the Black Hawks regular lineup.

Abby McCormick plays first singles for the team this season, her third as a starter. McCormick paired with Yestikul last season to advance to the WPIAL doubles quarterfinals and has been Bethel Park's top player this season.

"She's a real big hitter," said Addington, who has coached the Black Hawks for more than two decades and is assisted by junior varsity coach Becky Peters. "And she has all the shots -- a big backhand, big forehand.

"She can be very strong at times. Her and Carly both, I coached them in ninth and 10th grade, and now their in 11th grade and they've shown improvement every year."

"Abby is really powerful," Schoenstein said. "She challenges you with her shots and has a really strong first serve."

Kelsey Dimond plays third singles, and seniors make up both doubles teams -- Bruggerman and Chelsea Jones at first doubles and Rupa Bhashyam and Elsa Yenhert at second doubles.

Bhashyam and Yenhert are new starters but have jelled nicely. Bruggerman and Jones have played together throughout much of their high school careers and are stalwarts at first doubles. Both experienced leaders, they are the team's co-captains.

"They keep the team together, and they're really good players," Schoenstein said.

Due to the construction of the new high school, the school's home tennis courts have been razed and the team is practicing and playing its home matches at Glen Creek Tennis Club.

Including the junior varsity squad, the team has 25 players on its roster.

"These girls all put forth a good effort, and we're seeing improvement every day," Addington said.