Westmoreland notebook: Bisignani, Pevarnik pair up in tennis

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Saturday, April 6, 2019 | 6:17 PM

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It’s a curious pairing, if nothing else, playing No. 2 doubles for the Latrobe boys tennis team.

But it also has proven to be a competitive one.

Seniors Alex Bisignani and Brady Pevarnik are 6-0 playing together this season for the Wildcats, who are 4-2 overall and 4-1 in Section 1-AAA.

Bisignani was a starting guard for the Wildcats basketball team this past season, and Pevarnik is best known for his exploits on the golf course. He is a Penn State recruit in his top sport.

Bisignani, who played on the tennis team last year, said he recruited his close friend to join him on the tennis team.

“We’re both still learning, but we kind of just try to have fun with it,” Bisignani said. “It’s one of those sports that’s just enjoyable to watch and play, and we play well together, too. I’m a better player at the net, and Brady has a mean serve and is better in the back court. It’s a lot of fun, and our team has a serious shot at playoffs, which is exciting.”

Pevarnik picked up tennis right away.

“It’s been a lot of fun, we try to keep it pretty relaxed,” he said. “We play really well together because Alex is really good around the net at spiking and redirecting shots, and I really excel hitting longer forehands and backhands.”

Pevarnik said he has taken a liking to serving. Maybe it is because he can unleash one over the net with the same power as his golf drives.

“I think I’ve only lost one point serving this year,” he said. “When I get my first serve in, rarely does the opposing team return it.”

Bisignani also is running track this season.

Rare defeat for Spartans

Hempfield softball doesn’t lose often, but when it does, especially by 10 runs, it comes as a surprise.

The Spartans have been so good, so dominant, they often get as much attention for a loss as they do a win.

Penn-Trafford’s 12-2 win over the Spartans on Friday at Seton Hill will go down as one of the worst losses under longtime coach Bob Kalp.

Kalp classified the mercy-ruled loss that way. He lists it with these others: 16-0 loss to State College in 2004; 10-0 loss to North Allegheny in ‘03; and 13-3 loss to North Allegheny in ‘14.

Three of the four losses happened in April. Kalp rarely loses in May and June.

Hempfield is 3-3. The team lost three games last season.

“That’s how it goes,” Kalp said. “You do this long enough, eventually you’re going to get your tail handed to you. … I guess that is solid evidence that I’m no rookie at that.

“We’re human.”

One might think Kalp could snuff out a bad loss. The man has 404 career wins, and Hempfield has won the past four WPIAL titles and three straight PIAA titles in the state’s largest classification.

But those who know him would not be surprised if the coach loses sleep over the latest run-ruled defeat.

“Speaking for myself, our losses always get more attention than our wins,” Kalp said. “What is causing the wins doesn’t need corrected. What is causing the losses does.”

Solid finish for Klimchock

Asa Klimchock, who transferred to The Kiski School from Greensburg Central Catholic, had a solid senior season. He averaged 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds and is drawing college interest from Division II schools.

“He brought energy and fight to every competition,” Kiski School coach Damien Williams said. “He is a true competitor who has high-level talent. I was proud to be his coach the last two seasons. Great kid, very hard worker in the classroom and on the court.”

Klimchock reclassified when he came to Kiski.

Seton Hill appears to be interested in him, and Klimchock said coaches plan to watch him play in the Roundball Classic next weekend at Geneva.

He also is in talks with Wooster and said he intends to visit Robert Morris.

“I am still getting other interest from coaches, so I am not 100 percent sure what I’m doing next year yet,” he said.

Salopek adds offer

Norwin quarterback Jack Salopek added an offer to play at Harvard. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior also has offers from Pitt, Yale, UMass, Duquesne and Youngstown State.

Salopek threw for 1,790 yards and 15 touchdowns last season.

WCCA events

There are only two events on the Westmoreland County Coaches Association schedule for the spring season. They are the track and field championships, set for April 27 at Latrobe Memorial Stadium, and the football underclassmen showcase, which will be May 11 at Hempfield.

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

Tags: Greensburg C.C., Hempfield, Latrobe, Norwin, Penn-Trafford