The Reporter/Montgomery Media/Times Herald Boys Tennis Preview

After a year off due to COVID-19, the boys tennis season is already heating up.
Look for the usual cast of characters led by Upper Dublin, Wissahickon and North Penn.
The SOL Liberty appears to be a two-team race with the Cardinals and Trojans battling it out with deep, talented rosters. Andy Wang, Noah Cyclich and Bradeon Urzua lead the Trojans.
“Having five returning seniors that played in 2019 and were SOL champs with a 13-2 record gives us a very veteran and experienced lineup,” said Wiss coach Mark Daniels entering his 36th year.
Upper Dublin though cannot be counted out. Daniel Duan is more than capable of winning the singles tournament and with Scott Schlackman and Harrison Liu at the other singles position, a big-time match is looming with Wissahickon.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has had effects on the boys tennis scene with Archbishop Wood, Lansdale Catholic and Christopher Dock all being forced to cancel their seasons due to low numbers.
The following is a capsule look at the rest of teams.
Methacton
Head coach: Jill Walker, 10th season
Returning players: Jonathan Ryu, senior; Darren Brady, junior; Drew Samtmann, junior; Dylan Kuong, junior.
Top newcomers: Jeff Cooper, senior (will play No. 1 singles); Zach Stevenson, first doubles; Ethan O’Brien, sophomore; Akash Suresh, freshman; Raymond Tai, freshman.
Outlook: “Very excited to be back for my 10th season with the Methacton boys. I feel like we have a solid lineup to compete at a very competitive level this season. The boys seem very anxious to get the season on its way.”
North Penn
Head coach: Toby Watton
Returning players: Jay Doscher, Ansh Sharma, Hans Perera, Andrew Brown, Alex Brown, Dan Small, Zach Small, Dave Horrell, Mahi Nuthanapati, Nikhil Madaka, Riley Stanton.
Outlook: North Penn will contend for the Liberty title along with CB South. A solid core of singles players is the strength of their lineup led by Doscher and Sharma up top.
Souderton Area
Head coach: Jim O’Neill
Years coaching: First
Returning players: Jared Archer So ,Adam Borisow Sr, Devesh Bungatavala Jr, Bada Ekecs Jr, , Owen Dougherty So, Clark Vandemater So, Josh Antill So
Top newcomers: Stephen Butler Sr, Will Weiss Fr, Bryan Wu Fr
Outlook for season: “We will be young but talented at the singles spots with two sophomores and a freshman who have never played a high school tennis match because of the lost season last year. 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: 10 years
Returning players: Daniel Duan, Jongmin Kwak, Harrison Liu, Aidan Peyton, Rayner Raynor, Josh Torban, Scott Schlackman, Timothy Sheaffer
Top newcomers: Zachary Hunter, Christopher Hong, Tommaso Seranini
Outlook: “With new and returning talent, the season looks very promising.”
Hatboro-Horsham
Head coach: Kyle McGrath
Returning players: Kieran Plenn, Sr.; Luke Scholsser, Sr., Ivan Kakiko, Jr.
Top newcomers: Fr., Katong Wong; Fr., Chris D’Souza, Ryan Park, Fr.
Outlook: “We have a very small and young roster this season. We will look to improve daily in a very tough league.”
Wissahickon
Head coach: Mark Daniels
Years coaching: 36th year
Returning varsity players: Andy Wang, Bradeon Urzua, Noah Cyclich, Alex Yum, Rohan Mehta, Srikar Sunil, Danny Zappin, Richard Wang, Daniel Yun.
Top newcomers: Josh Yulsman and Vishal Sowmyan.
Outlook: Having five returning seniors that played in 2019 and were SOL Champs with a 13-2 record gives us a very veteran and experienced lineup. We should be making a run at the title again and competing in the District 1 playoffs.”
Upper Moreland
Head coach: Justin Allegra
Returning Players: Patrick White, Jake Tiernan, Jacob Nyholm, Evan Dippre, and Brendan Moran.
Germantown Academy
Head coach: Lupe Prince
Years coaching: 5 years
Returning players: Jason Wang, Jr.; Dylan Jeck, Jr.; Kwabena Ampomah, Jr.; Sam Fortunato, Sr.
Top newcomers: Armon Meinstein, Fr.; Max Baer, Fr.; Cory Miller, Jr.; Luca Diem, Jr.; Chase Goldoor, Fr.; Thomas DiChiara, Sr.
Outlook: “The team is quite new and young. There is great camraderie between all the players. The captains have very good leadership and are doing a good job. We are all glad to be able to play this season. I feel very optimistic and I am sure that the players will be able to do everything on their part to obtain the best possible results.”
La Salle College
Head coach: Gerard Brett
Years coaching: 10
Returning players: Jordan Paris, Julian Paris, James Giordano, Matt Sasso
Top newcomers: N/A
Outlook for season: La Salle looks to capture its 14th straight PCL Championship. The team has won the Philadelphia District 12 title nine of the last ten years and has made the PIAA State Playoffs 9 of the last 10 years.