Westmoreland County athletes of the week: Jeannette’s Jordan Taylor, Belle Vernon’s Gabriella Dusi

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, September 23, 2023 | 11:00 AM

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Gabriella Dusi

School: Belle Vernon

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Tennis

Claim to fame: The sophomore breezed to her first WPIAL Class 2A girls tennis title Wednesday and Thursday. She defeated Beaver senior Chloe DeSanzo, 6-1, 6-0, in the finals Thursday at North Allegheny. Dusi is ranked sixth in the state.

Has winning the WPIAL title hit you yet?

It still feels unreal. I’m definitely in shock. All the players in the tournament are great players. It was a great accomplishment.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how did you rate your performance?

I honestly played really, really well. I controlled all the points, and I hit great shots to finish. I’d rate it an 8 or 9.

When did you start playing tennis?

I’ve only been playing tennis for four years. My dad (Steve) got me started when I was 12. He wanted me to play a sport that I could play the rest of my life. He took me to the courts, and I loved it.

Do you take lessons?

I meet with my coach, Jan Irwin, probably four times a week at the Upper St. Clair Developmental Program.

Who is your favorite tennis player?

I like Bianca Andreescu. I love the way she plays, and she’s a great person.

Who is your favorite athlete?

I grew up playing basketball, and I liked the way Stephen Curry played. My dad and I always liked to watch him and the Golden State Warriors play.

Did your parents play sports?

My mom (Jodi DeBlassio) played basketball and volleyball at California High School, and my dad played basketball at Elizabeth Forward. I used to play basketball, but now I’m focused on playing tennis.

Do you want to play tennis in college?

I’d love to play tennis in college. That’s one of my goals. I don’t have a school in mind.

What’s the last movie you saw?

The “Barbie” movie.

What’s your favorite meal?

I love pizza. I think Bella’s Pizzeria in Rostraver.

Where is your go-to place for a snack after a match or practice?

I get a grilled chicken sandwich and waffle fries from Chick-fil-A.

Where is your favorite vacation spot, and where is a place you’d like to visit?

I loved my trip to Aruba, and I’d like to visit Bora-Bora.

What type of music do you like to listen to?

I like to listen to Taylor Swift. My favorite songs are “Back to December” and “Invisible String.”

What famous person, dead or alive, would you want to have dinner with, and what would you talk about?

I’d have dinner with Kobe Bryant, and we’d talk about his life and basketball.

What is something your friends would be surprised you do?

I like to draw and sketch flowers and nature.

Jordan Taylor

School: Jeannette

Class: Senior

Sport: Soccer

Claim to fame: A terrific forward who has been in the Jeannette lineup for four years, Taylor leads the WPIAL with 35 goals. He had a hat trick in a 4-2 win over Riverview, added six goals in a 16-0 win over Leechburg and scored two more in a 5-1 win over Greensburg Salem for the Jayhawks’ sixth win in seven games. Jeannette (7-3) leads the WPIAL with 81 goals. Last week, Taylor was named the United Soccer Coaches/MaxPreps High School Player of the Week for Pennsylvania.

What was it like winning the state player of the week award?

It was really exciting because not many kids have the opportunity to receive this recognition amongst all the talented athletes in the state.

How would you assess the season so far?

It has been up and down to be honest. We have played really well as a team and have struggled at times. We can be competitive with some of the top teams, but need to work on playing complete games. Our goal continues to be to make playoffs in hopes to get past the first round.

What makes the Jayhawks so potent on offense?

Our offense is good because of the combination of the system and formation (4-2-3-1) we play. It allows for me to be a lot more free moving on the attack and act as a target, because most teams already know just to stick three or four guys on me, which leaves some of our other teammates that can be a threat to the other team. Our counter attack is strong and we come with speed.

What is your most memorable goal so far?

Out of all of the 140 goals I have scored, I would probably have to say my 100th goal against Freeport was most memorable for me because of how important it was to me and the journey it took to get there.

Have you heard from any colleges lately?

Yeah, I continue to communicate with various college coaches while looking into the majors offered as I want to major in business/finance. It is just finding the right program for me to continue to play while receiving my college degree.

How much has the Jeannette program grown since you were a freshman?

It has grown a lot because when I first came up we couldn’t even string together any passes, and it was mostly just kickball. We didn’t have many people that even understood the fundamentals of soccer. We continue to grow and develop as a program with the addition of our new coaching staff who has taken a strong focus on player development and commitment to competing at the highest level.

The entire team lines up for a race, end to end on the pitch. Who wins?

We did this at practice at the start of the season and I ended up winning, but it was a close one.

Your mom, Savannah Rennels, was a standout at Latrobe and played collegiately at Bucknell and American. How many career goals did she have?

She had 169 goals in three years at Latrobe and was the leading scorer at Bucknell and American universities.

What are soccer conversations like between you and your mom?

We are a very competitive family and talk lots about soccer. Our conversations that often include my younger brother, Jor’el, can get very lively. We always have postgame discussions and continue to discuss the future.

Any unique hobbies or other talents?

I like to bike and go for runs.

What is your favorite subject in school?

Math.

What is your favorite school lunch?

Pizza.

Do you think overtime should be shortened or even eliminated at the high school level?

It should be eliminated if it’s just a league game and just count as a draw because, depending on the team, your starting 11 could be the only people playing the whole game. It is already a long enough game as it is, and if it’s not the finals or playoffs, then there is no reason to be having overtime.

What is your favorite pro soccer team?

Liverpool.

You work at The Nest in Jeannette. What’s your favorite thing on the menu?

King crab legs and filet.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Jeannette