Belle Vernon junior Gabby Dusi entered the WPIAL Class AA Individual Tennis Championship as the defending gold medalist, and exited Thursday’s championship match again as the defending champion.

Dusi defeated Hampton’s Grace Stitt in the title match, 6-1, 6-0. Both players advanced to the PIAA Championship in Hershey on Nov. 1-2.

The top seed dropped only three games in the championship bracket on her way to the district title. Dusi received an opening-round bye, defeated North Catholic’s Brea Kelley, 10-0, in the quarterfinals, and downed Beaver’s Mrkonja in the semifinals, 6-1, 6-1.

The diminutive junior did not stand at the baseline trying to power shots past Stitt. Instead, she moved Stitt around and then played at the net.

“I hit good crosscourt forehands. That gave me some easy balls at the net,” explained Dusi. “I was more aggressive. I played at the net.”

Belle Vernon does not have a girls tennis team. Dusi plays in the Upper St. Clair tennis development program.

“It would be cool to have a team and have a team atmosphere. I make the best of (playing as an independent). All my teachers are very supportive,” said Dusi.

Stitt, the No. 2 seed, had a more difficult road to the final after opening with a 10-0 win over Mount Pleasant’s Bella Furman. She defeated South Park’s Grace Kempton in the quarterfinals, 10-3.

The senior had to rally past Greensburg Central Catholic’s Sasha Hoffman for a spot in the final. Stitt lost the first set, 6-2, and needed a tiebreaker, 7-6 (5), to win the second set. She completed the comeback by taking the third set, 6-2.

“I thought (Stitt) played great today. She made me play a lot of long points,” said Dusi.

Dusi worked her way through the championship bracket last year as the No. 5 seed. She noted playing as the No. 1 seed had a different feel.

“I felt there was a different type of pressure as the No. 1 seed,” said Dusi, adding, “I just took it one match at a time.

“I definitely wanted to come in and win another title.”

Dusi repeated as the Section 2-AA champion after she breezed through the section tournament by the scores, 10-0, 10-0 and 6-0, 6-0.

Dusi advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals last year as a sophomore, losing in the round of eight as she dealt with an illness.

Dusi said winning her second gold medal was unique since she was the defending champion.

“Both (gold medals) are really special. This one was especially special since I was able to repeat,” said Dusi. “I had a lot of confidence (as the defending champion).