With a new lineup, dedicated Aces repeat PIAA 3A boys tennis state team title

Just one week after going 24-0 and winning the PIAA 3A boys’ tennis state title last year, the Aces lost three of their top five players to graduation.

But the defending state champion Aces didn’t rest on their laurels this spring. With a new lineup, Lower Merion posted a 23-0 record in 2022 and repeated as PIAA 3A state champions. In the post-season, the Aces were dominant, winning 16 of 17 sets in both the District 1 3A team tournament and the PIAA 3A team tourney.

Moving into the first singles spot for Lower Merion this spring was Justin Yi, whose energetic play at third singles last year was a key factor in the Aces’ 2021 state title. This spring, Yi was 15-0 in team matches for the Aces in 2022, finished second in the District 1 3A singles tourney and advanced to the PIAA 3A singles tournament quarterfinals.

“I think the biggest keys to capturing the state title this spring was our focus during school practices, as well as our dedication outside of school practices,” said Yi. “Everyone on the team took time out of their busy schedules to get extra practice whenever they could. Compared to other schools, our team had one of the most players that entered USTA tournaments in order to get ready for the season. The team already has a habit of winning from last season, and it really showed this season when our players were able to step up in key situations.”

Sophomore Brian Yi held down the second singles spot for the Aces this spring. Last year, he played first doubles and filled in at singles when necessary. This spring, like his brother Brian, he posted a 15-0 record in team matches and advanced to the PIAA 3A singles tournament quarterfinals. Brian placed fourth in the District 1 3A singles tourney.

“I think the biggest key to capturing the state title this spring was our consistent and strict practicing schedule,” said Brian Yi. “Ever since the optional practices during the summer, Harris [Lower Merion coach Harris Mailman] has focused on individually improving every single player. During the season, everyone on the team practiced when we did not have school matches. Through these practices, we not only improved individually, but also as a team. We developed a strong friendship and made sure to have everybody’s back in important matches.”

At third singles for the Aces was junior Mark Lancaster, who was 15-0 in team matches this spring. Last year, Lancaster filled a key role at second doubles for Lower Merion, and Mailman then called the LM junior “a natural doubles player.”

The Lower Merion coach reflected on how Lancaster adapted to his new role this spring: “I think the key reason for Mark’s success at singles is how much he played last summer through this spring. It seems like he was playing almost every day and with anyone on our team, which not only helped him, but ignited the tremendous off-season culture our team has.  One week he’d hit with Ones every day, another week Scotty, etc.  I don’t think he missed any off season practices and he also organized some of his own.  Sometimes, often times, I felt like Mark could’ve coached the team himself.”

Lancaster said, “I think the key to our success this season was the support we all gave each other. Our team huddle – I would say it’s the loudest one in the state of Pennsylvania – before every match isn’t just a tradition; it’s a symbol of how close we’ve grown as a team.

“What makes our Lower Merion team different from other teams is that even though tennis is an individual sport, we do not play as individuals; everything we do has the purpose of raising up our teammates along with us. No matter what the score was in a match, I could depend on my teammates in the stands, and on the neighboring courts, for encouragement and pure positive energy.”

At first doubles for the Aces was the duo of Stoyan Angelov and Adam Lee, who battled. Angelov was 18-0 in team matches, while Lee was 17-0.

Angelov said, “Both Adam and I were gunning for the third singles spot and had been predominantly singles players throughout our whole player careers. Harris immediately helped us transform into doubles specialists, with regards to both technical form and strategy, and I can confidently say that the two of us have become exceptional doubles players over the course of the past couple months. Our win at first doubles at the state [team] championship finals really solidified that sentiment.”

Mailman said, “Last year, Adam played third doubles for us and was undefeated.  Him, Stoy and Mark were all around the same level and I went with Stoy and Mark at second doubles mostly because of my familiarity with their play.  This year, Adam worked very, very hard in the off season.  I was ecstatic at not only how fast he made the transition to first doubles, but also, he played with Stoy, who defeated him in our third singles tournament.  I think that’s hard to do.  His improvement throughout the year was unbelievable.”

At second doubles, the Aces were strong with Scotty Stuart (16-9 overall) and Charlie Bittinger (16-7 overall).

“Scotty has always wanted to play for the state [tournament] team and this year he finally got his chance and he ran with it,” said Mailman. “Throughout the year, he greatly improved on his game, but more impressive, he became a fantastic doubles partner.  He played very well throughout the playoffs.  He and Charlie were only two games short of winning their final match in the second set of the state championship finals. I’m so glad he was able to be in the state lineup.

“Charlie was one of many talented freshmen we had this season and the only one who made the top seven to play in States.  His consistent play was recognized not only by me and his teammates, but by other coaches in our league and even in our district.  Charlie is one of the most coachable players on our team and he’s only going to get better.”

Stuart, a senior, said, “I think each of us individually knew what we had to work on and we knew it’d be a challenge right from the day we won last year. No one slacked off or cut any corners and we all supported each other to the max continuing being an unbeatable but more importantly great team in the process. The strongest component of our team was us working hard together because we all love and care about each other and have an impenetrable passion for this sport.”