By JIM MULCAHY

Staff Writer

St. Marys Area’s Allison Shields and Mary Rosman advanced to today’s finals of the District 9-AA tennis doubles championship being held at Benzinger Park.

Weather played a part in Tuesday’s play as the AA tournament was completed with the exception of the championship match. The Class AAA tournament has the semifinal matches as well as the title match to get in today.

In Tuesday’s Class AA play, Shields and Rosman reached the finals by defeating Teresina Imbrogno and Dana Nelson of Johnsonburg in the first round 6-1, 6-1. In the semifinals, the St. Marys duo defeated Elk County Catholic’s Megan Cotter and Crystal Hanes 4-6, 6-0, 6-4.

Shields and Rosman will meet Brockway’s Ashley Vincent and Kerri Burkett in the title match today. The Brockway duo reached the finals by defeating Elk’s Shanelle Housler and Ally Brock 6-2, 6-1 in the first round. In the semifinals, Vincent and Burkett defeated St. Marys Area’s Chloe Stevens and Jamie VanAlstine in a three-set tiebreaker 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, to reach the finals.

In the other first round matches, Elk’s Cotter and Hanes defeated Brockway’s Brittany Johnson and Chelsea Facchine 4-6, 6-0 and 6-4. SMA’s Stevens and VanAlstine downed Laura Stahli and Taylor Scida 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1).

In the Class AAA first round, Bradford’s Hilary Digel and Jodi Irons defeated Punxsutawney’s Amber Baker and Jenna Miller 6-1, 6-1. DuBois Area’s Molly Hobba and Jenny Reese defeated Clearfield’s Jenny Miller and Madison Sopic 6-2, 6-2. DuBois’ Markie Gustafson and Erika Syktich ousted Clearfield’s Kristen McKenzie and Suzie Colesar 6-2, 6-0 and Caroline Morris and Michelle Cline of Bradford defeated Punxsutawney’s Keshia Farnsworth and Lindsey Paulina 7-6 (7-4), 6-3.

The Class AAA semifinals will get underway at Benzinger Park this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Bradford’s Digel and Irons will take on DuBois’ Hobba and Reese in one semifinal while DuBois’ Gustafson and Syktich will meet Bradford’s Morris and Cline in the other. The winners will advance to the finals which are scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start.

The Class AA finals are set for a 2:30 p.m. start this afternoon at Benzinger Park.