North Penn’s Velaga wins District 1-3A title

SPRINGFIELD >> North Penn’s Esha Velaga has picked up the high school tennis scene pretty quickly.
Although a junior this is her first year competing for the North Penn girls tennis team.
After winning the SOL Colonial title without losing a set, she did the same at the District 1-3A Tournament this weekend.
“I didn’t have any expecations entering the season,” Velaga said.
Those expectations may have to be adjusted now after losing just 13 games at the District 1-3A Tournament held at the Springfield YMCA.
After a bye in the first round, the NP junior dispatched league rival CB South’s Grace Piro 6-3, 6-0 in the first round in what turned out to be her closest set and then Owen J. Roberts’ Allison Root 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the semifinals on Saturday.
“I knew a lot of these girls,” Velaga said. “Three of them go to my club (HPTA at Bala Cwynwyd). Most of the girls play USTA (tournaments). It was pretty comparable to that.”
Velaga’s level continued to increase on Saturday with 6-2, 6-2 wins over WC Henderson’s Kylie Kochis and Unionville’s Grace Li to become the first district champ at North Penn since her sister Neha won a state title in 2018.
Velaga downplayed the scores on Saturday, crediting both opponents, who are also friends.
“It feels really good,” said Velaga of her first district title. “It’s nice to put North Penn out there.”
Velaga, who is currently ranked 53rd nationally in the USTA 18 and under division with an amazing UTR of 9.59, will next prepare for the PIAA State Championships the weekend of Nov. 5-6 in Hershey.
It’s doubtful she will be very nervous after winning two rounds in the 18 and Under Nationals this past August, only losing to Reese Brantmeier, who has a UTR of 11.37.
“I want to try to win states,” Velaga said.
There, she will try to join her sister Neha, who also won a state championship in 2018.
“I was so proud of how Esha represented North Penn girls tennis with her overall skill of the game and most of all her display of gracious sportsmanship in the tournament,” NP girls tennis coach Renee Di Domizio said.