Lower Merion defeats Conestoga to win Central League boys’ tennis title

The last time the Lower Merion boys’ tennis team won the Central League in 2014, they advanced to the PIAA state quarterfinals. With the district tournament starting Thursday, and the Aces post-season fate yet to be determined, they will do so as Central League champions.

On a sun splashed Tuesday afternoon at the Upper Main Line YMCA, Lower Merion spoiled Conestoga’s chance by defeating the Pioneers 5-2, sparked by wins by their top three singles players, Sean Atterberry, Matt Chen and Matt Robinson.

Needing just one more win to clinch the match, the third doubles team of Max Serota and Eric Bell gutted out a hard fought 6-4 win in the first set before taking a 5-1 lead in the second set. With the match in their sight, Bell drove a forehand winner down the line to win the match 6-1 and secure the Central League title.

“Going out on a high note in the Central League is great especially since it’s our arch-rival Conestoga,” said Chen, who was the first to finish. “We lost to them in the first league match last season so it feels good to beat them. Hopefully this is the first step but we know we need to still take things one match at a time.”