Senior Beth Yauch took second place in the WPIAL singles tennis championship on Thursday. 

Yauch won a series of section and WPIAL finals matches to reach the championship, but then came up short against senior Charlotte James from Fox Chapel. Yauch and James have played each other before, with James coming out ahead.

“I played her before,” Yauch said, “but she just played better than me that day.” 

They played two sets on Thursday, both ending in a score of 6-4. 

“It was really tough and intense,” Yauch said. She scored two aces in the second set that briefly brought the score to a tie, but ultimately the match ended in a loss.

 Because she reached the championship, Yauch will get to compete at states in October. 

“I’m disappointed because I lost last year, but I’m excited to go to states and compete there,” Yauch said. “I’m also looking forward to playing the next four years in college.”

Yauch has a full ride to play Division 1 tennis at Cleveland State next year.