Tennis stars ready to shine
Back to normal schedule should give more players a shot at postseason success
After not having any individuals qualify for the PIAA 3A Singles Tournament a year ago, the local high school boys tennis season is about to see a resurgence.
Upper Dublin has the makeup of a team that can have a deep postseason run led by the singles play of senior Daniel Duan, junior Scott Schlackman and sophomore Chris Hong.
All are returning players from a team that went 14-3, won the SOL Liberty and advanced to the District 1-3A quarterfinals before losing to Conestoga.
“Our goal is to have a repeat of last season winning the conference title, finishing third at districts and advancing to the quarterfinals at states,” Upper Dublin head coach Lora Ball said.
With the doubles teams of Zachary Hunter/Tommaso Serafini and Timothy Sheaffer/ Joshua Torban, there is no reason for the Cards to stop short of last year’s accomplishments.
There biggest competition will continue to be Wissahickon, which is led by the top-heavy singles play of junior Andy Wang, who qualified for the District 1-3A Singles Tournament a year ago.
Over in the SOL Colonial, North Penn also seems primed for a breakout season behind singles players senior Jay Doscher, junior Hansana Perara and frosh Thenuk Perara. The Knights qualified for team districts last year, but may have more lofty goals this season.
The only thing standing in its way in the Colonial is CB West, led by senior Alexander Kouznetsov, who will not only contend for a Colonial singles title, but the District 1-3A championship will be in his grasp as well.
Over in the PAC, Methacton appears ready to make some noise this season as freshman Dylan
Wen has burst onto the scene already.
The following is a capsule look at all the boys tennis teams in the The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media.
Central Bucks West
Head coach: Trent Errett
Returning players: Alexander Kouznetsov, Sr.; Andrei Bogdan, Sr.; Kevin Su, Sophomore; Samai Kolandaivelu, Sophomore.
Top newcomers: Ruhaan Vaidya; Soumil Sharma.
Outlook: Already owning a 4-3 win over Upper Dublin, little should slow down this seniorladen lineup.
Christopher Dock Coach: Cody Powis, 9th season
Players to watch: Josiah Davidar (Soph.); Ignacio Morera Barona (Jr.)
Outlook: “The boys tennis team is very excited to see what this season holds as Dock was unable to man a team in 2021. Our group is young and does not have any true match experience to rely on yet. In a small Bicentennial Athletic League, they are gearing up to turn some heads. The commitment to learning and being coached has shown promising results early on,” Powis said.”
La Salle
Head coach: Gerard Brett
Years coaching: 10 years
Last year’s record: 6-6, 4-1
Returning starters/top players: Matt Porreca, Chris Del Plato, Matt Sasso, Joe Perry
Top newcomers: Drew Pensabene, Andrew Gaylord
Outlook: “We are looking to reclaim the PCL and Philadelphia
District 12title,” Brett said. “After losing a number of starting upperclassmen, the 2021varsity team went 6-6 and 4-1 in the Philadelphia Catholic League. For the first time since 2006, La Salle did not win the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, ending a remarkable run of 13 straight titles. Over this time, the team had appeared in 10 consecutive District 12championships as well as making 10appearances in the last 11years in the PIAA State playoffs. On a brighter note, Matt Porreca made it to the championship in the D-12 singles tournament and Jordan and Julian Paris represented La Salle at the PIAA State Playoffs Doubles Tournament.”
Methacton
Coach: Jill Walker, 13th season.
Last year’s record: 10-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 13-3 overall.
Players to watch: Dylan Kuang, Sr., doubles; Drew Santmann, Sr., doubles; Dylan Wen, Fr., singles; Ethan O’Brien, Jr., singles; Akash Suresh, So., doubles; Karun Jayarum, Fr., doubles; Nolan N’Goran, singles.
Outlook: The Warriors will have a whole new crew in the singles bracket: Wen in the first slot, O’Brien at second and N’Goran — he comes to Fairview Village by way of France — at third . ... The doubles bracket will have Jayarum partnered with Suresh at first doubles, with Kuang and Santmann at second doubles. The remaining doubles will be filled by Liam Evans, Arnav Tiwari, Avery Barber and Gavin Jacobs . ...
“We have had one of the strongest crew of newcomers to come out for tennis this season that we have had for awhile,” Walker said, “and some of them will be finding themselves in the varsity line up this season.”
Norristown
Coach: Bill McKown, ninth season.
Last year’s record: 0-11 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Players to watch: Nijel Parks, Jr., singles; Dane Crook, Jr., singles.
Outlook: Nijel Parks, who will play first singles, is developing a strong game behind a big serve, Dane Crook, another junior occupying the second singles position, possesses a slice backhand capable of giving opponents trouble . ... “23players on the team this year,” McKown said. “Most are beginners playing for the first time. Interest in tennis is high, and the team will get better as the season progresses.”
North Penn
Head coach: Toby Watton
Returnning starters/top players: Jay Doscher, Sr.; Hansana Perara, Jr.; Aditya Ingle, Sr.; Benjamin Kim, Sophomore; Vedantha Krishna; Shardul Garg, Sophomore.
Top newcomers; Thenuk Perara, Fr.; Seamus Williams, Fr.; Advaith Kollipara.
Outlook: The Knights are loaded and seemed prime to compete for a District 1title this season behind returning singles players Doscher and Hansana Perara. With newcomer Thenuk Perara ready to compete at No. 3 singles, North Penn will be a tough out.
Pennridge
Head coach: Aaron Rapsinski
Years coaching: 5th Year
Last year’s record: 2-8
Key Returners: Tyler Parry (Sr.), Lance Parker (Sr.), Isaac Hartzell (Jr.), Josh Wurz (Jr.), Kyle Motts (Jr.), Carter Patterson (Jr.), Liam Rawling (Sr.), Bailey Bishop (Sr.), Brendan Shwak (Sr.), Jimmy Martin (Jr.)
Top newcomers: Jordan Ea (Fr.), Jonah Rabuck (Fr.), Gabe Kerzmann (Sr.), Teague Good (Sr.), Sullivan Heying (Jr.).
Outlook: “We want to get better each day,” Rapsinski said. “We have a handful of guys that are still somewhat new to tennis and don’t have a lot of true technical training. We are just out here to have fun and get better each day. Our goal is end the season with a few more wins than last year.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh Head coach: Al Collins
Years coaching: 13 years
Last year’s record: 7-5 (3-2 League)
Returning starters/top players: Jack Lieberman Singles; Alex Halbert Doubles, Harrison Spector Doubles; Jeremy Segal, Doubles; Dan Small Doubles, Zach Small, singles; Zach Barrie, Doubles
Top newcomers: James Fassbender, singles
Outlook: With Fassbender being added to the singles lineup and the improvement in Small, the Colonials could be a team that surprises in ‘22.
“The Colonials have added James Fassbender to the singles lineup and look to compete in the always tough Liberty Division,” Collins said.
Pope John Paul II Coaches: Sue McDonough, third season.
Last year’s record: 4-7 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Players to watch: Aidan McCarel, So., singles; Andres Lugo, Fr., doubles.
Outlook: McCarel is slated to play at second singles, and Lugo at fourth doubles . ... Chris Cossa and Michael Fiore were at first and third singles, respectively, when the Golden Panthers opened their season against Holy Ghost Prep and Upper Merion. ... “PJP boys are a very young team this year, with very little experience on the court overall.” McDonough said. “These guys play with a lot of heart and have great work ethics, so we hope to be more and more competitive as the season goes on.”
Souderton Area
Head coach: Jim O’Neill
Years coaching: 2nd
2021 Record: 3-6
Returning players: Devesh Bungatavala Sr; Bada Ekecs Sr; Nick Talarico Sr; Jack Grabowski Sr; Jared Archer Jr; Landon Catto Jr.; Clark Vandemater Jr; Josh Antill Jr; Will Weiss So; Brian Wu So.
Top newcomers: Ethan Archer Fr, Rishi Dhanasekaran,
Outlook for season: Numbers are up and so is optimism for the Indians. Souderton Area is strong at the top of the lineup with the improvement of Weiss and it should benefit them in the always difficult Colonial.
“We have a competitive schedule this year which we be a nice challenge,” O’Neill said. “The competitiveness and attitude have been great so far .Looking forward to watching the team grow throughout the season”
Upper Dublin
Head coach: Lora Ball
Years coaching: 11th season
Last year’s record: 14-3 (5-0)
Returning starters: Daniel Duan, Scott Schlackman, Chris Hong, Tommaso Serafini, Zachary Hunter, Tim Sheaffer, Josh Torban, Tripp Mangifesta, Matt Ebarvia
Top newcomers: Evan Zislis, Hugh Devine
Outlook for season: Can you say high? The Cards have established themselves as the team to beat in the Liberty and nothing should stop them from contending for a District 1title.
“The team has worked hard in the offseason,” Ball said. “Our goal is to have a repeat of last season winning the conference title, finishing third at Districts and advancing to the quarterfinals at states.”
Upper Merion
Coach: Eric Bowe, 13th season.
Last year’s record: 2-9 Pioneer Athletic Conference.
Players to watch: Dominick Doan, So., doubles; Gabe Giammarco, So., doubles; Josiah Kotwright, So., singles.
Outlook: “We have a young but talented bunch this year,” Bowe said. “Josiah Kotwright (first singles) just moved to the area from New York and is looking to get his footing in the Pioneer Athletic Conference. His campaign is already off to a great start as he won his first league match already. We also have a good pairing at first doubles this year with Gabe Giammarco and Dominick Doan. They are both sophomores and have also started off their season with a win. Our goal this season is to improve upon our 2-9record last year. We have a team goal of winning four matches and double our win production from last year. With a 1-0start, we are already well on our way.”
Wissahickon
Head coach: Chris Sannie
Years coaching: First year
Returning varsity players: Andy Wang, Noah Cyclich, Danny Zappin, Richard Wang, Daniel Yun, Josh Yulsman.
Top newcomers: Jack Frutkin, Shaurya Sinha.
Outlook: The Trojans are very talented at the top of the lineup where Wang should qualify for the District 1Tournament and have a real shot at states. Other than that it may be a question mark who fills the void for five seniors that left for graduation.