Area players hope to return to the court
Area tennis players hope to return to the court
The courts are dry, the weather isn’t terrible by spring standards and the players are ready. All that’s left is for COVID-19 to break and play to resume.
“I am hoping to be able to play this year,” GA coach Guadalupe Prince said. “It’s a shame not having the spring sports active right now, but the health and safety of our athletes and student comes first. It will be a challenge for our athletes to come back after so many days without regular and consistent training.”
If school does return and play resumes, look for Wissahickon and Upper Dublin to battle it out again in the SOL American although with different-looking teams.
Both No. 1 singles players Andrew Duan of Upper Dublin and Andrew Tran of Wissahickon have been lost to graduation. The Cardinals are hopeful Chris Choo can step right in and not lose a beat. The Trojans may be a deeper team with freshmen Andy Wang and Noah Cyclich added to the rotation.
“With the facilities closed, the guys are continuing with their individual workouts at home,” Cardinals tennis coach Lora Ball said. “Most of the varsity squad play year-round. Therefore, once they are back on the courts they will pick up where they left off and ready for a winning season.”
Over in the SOL Continental, North Penn has high expectations and is hopeful of taking home the title. The Knights are strong at the top with junior Ansh Sharma, but watch out for freshman Jay Doscher at No. 3 singles as well.
With tennis out of the gates first in the spring, some teams actually got in matches before being shut down.
“We had a good first week of practice and actually got a match in against Council Rock South which we won 4-3 on Monday March 9th,” Hatboro-Horsham coach Kyle McGrath said. “The boys were excited as we had 2 more matches scheduled before we got shut down on March 12th.
“I’ve been in contact with them since we have to stop and I’ve seen a few of them out hitting at our middle school which I live near by. They are trying to make the best of this.”
The following is a capsule look at all the teams. Germantown Academy Head coach: Guadalupe Prince
Years coaching: 4th year with GA
Last year’s record: 5-7 Top returning starters: Alex Yan (Senior); Jason Wang (Sophomore); Jason Wang (Senior); Kenny Gong (Senior); Dylan Jeck Sophomore); Roderick Azizi (Senior); Matthew Sender ( Senior); Kwabena Ampomah (Sophomore); Sam Fortunato (Junior)
Top newcomers: Kerway Tsai (Senior); Zack Kotik (Sophomore); Luca Diem; Jeff Cheng; Jonathan Fireman; Joseph Richards
Outlook: “I am hoping to be able to play this year,” GA coach Guadalupe Prince said. “It’s a shame not having the spring sports active right now, but the health and safety of our athletes and student comes first. It will be a challenge for our athletes to come back after so many days without regular and consistent. Hatboro-Horsham Coach: Kyle McGrath, 6th Year Last Year’s Record: 10-6
Top Returning Starters: Alex Hirt (12), Kieren Plenn (11), Krish Patel (12), Ziyad Elsabbaugh (12) Top Newcomers: Zach Joachim (12), Josh Riordan (12), Austin Senior (10)
Outlook: “We have a very senior heavy team with 10seniors this year,” McGrath said. “However, we graduated our No. 1and No. 2last year so we have lots of questions about who will step up and replace those players.”
North Penn
Head coach: Toby Watton, 52 years
Last year’s record: 13-5, 5-1 Top returning starters: Ansh
Sharma, Jr. First Singles, Sam Lee, Sr. Second Singles
Top newcomers: Andrew Brown, Jr. and Alex Brown, Freshman Doubles Team, Jay Doscher, freshman third singles; Hans Perera, freshman doubles.
Outlook: North Penn looking to contend for the SOL Continental Boys Championship. training.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh Head Coach: Al Collins
Years coaching: 11
Last year’s record: 4-6
Top returning starters: Noah Shubin, Jake Valentine, Adam Knopf, Jack Lieberman, Alex Halbert
Top newcomers: Daniel and Zach Small, Harrison Spector, Jeremy Segal
Outlook: Skill-level improved however expected improvement tempered by limited HS level competitive experience.
Wissahickon Head: Coach: Mark Daniels, 35th year
Last Year’s record: 7-0 Undefeated SOL American Conference
Champions (13-2overall)
Top returning starters: Singles, Braedon Urzua and Evan Boroch; Doubles, Mike O’Farrell, Chris Leiter, Jack Recine, Alex Yum, Rohan Mehta, Srikar Sunil, Richard Yang
Incoming Top Freshmen: Singles - Andy Wang; Noah Cylich, Danny Zappin, Daniel Yun
Outlook: “We will once again battle it out with Upper Dublin most likely for the SOL American Conference League Championship,” Wissahickon Head Coach Mark Daniels said. “The loss through graduation of some key seniors last year namely Andrew Tran (4 times SOL Singles Champion and 4th place in PIAA State Doubles Tournament last year with partner Vidit Makwana) gives this team a whole new look. We are fortunate though to have some outstanding freshmen that challenged into the varsity lineup. The team, even though not as experienced, goes real deep in talent throughout the whole doubles lineup.”
Upper Dublin
Head Coach: Lora Ball, 9th Year
Last Year’s Record: 12-2, 6-1
Top returning starters: Chris Choo, Sr.; Dominic Ferraro, Sr.; Chase Pollack, Sr.; Franklin She, Senior; Evan Weiler, Sr.; Cobi Goldberg, Jr.; Jongmin Kwak, Jr.; Harrison Lui, Jr.; Aidan Peyton, Jr.; Rayner Raynor, Jr.; Daniel Duan, Soph.
Top newcomers: Timothy Sheffer, Scott Schlackman. Outlook: “The guys worked hard this offseason preparing for the spring,” UD coach Lora Ball said. “The bond they created is evident. We are expecting great results from our solid singles lineup, along with many talented doubles pairs.” Upper Moreland
Head coach: Kristin Summers
Years coaching: 5th season
Last year’s record: 10-5 Returners : Tyler Holman; Nick Nigro Outlook: “We have a strong core group of seniors. We are looking forward to a great season.”