Shanahan’s senior doubles teams prevail for late win against Avon Grove
Downingtown >> In a marathon contest that took nearly four hours to complete, host Bishop Shanahan’s senior-laden doubles teams saved the day Tuesday, winning three matches – the final one by seven-point tiebreak – for a 4-3 win over Avon Grove.
Bishop Shanahan – who has 14 seniors on its squad – used eight 12th-graders for the four doubles matches. After the first four matches were finished (Bishop Shanahan has four tennis courts), Avon Grove held a 3-1 lead. When the Eagles won at second and third doubles, Tuesday’s contest was tied at 3-3.
It all came down to fourth doubles, where Steve Arnold and Kyle McClatchy prevailed, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) just 15 minutes before sunset.
“Our seniors bring a lot of experience to our team, as well as a lot of gumption and persistence,” said Shanahan head coach Michael Owens with a smile. “They never want to give up.
“Last year, we lost 6-1 to Avon Grove, who is a very, very good team. It’s a great turnaround from last year.”
Shanahan’s 4-3 victory improves the Eagles record to 5-2, quite an improvement from their start last year (0-4). So far this season, the Eagles have defeated Academy Park, Devon Prep, Marple Newtown, Kennett and now Avon Grove, and have lost to Downingtown East and Great Valley.
On Tuesday, the Eagles captured second doubles in three sets (6-3, 3-6, 6-2) with a senior duo of Kevin McConlogue and Jon Sprows, and was victorious at third doubles in straight sets (6-1, 6-3) with the senior pair of Tyler Metz and Mark Jerwyn.
“Our second, third and fourth doubles teams all played extremely well, and I’m proud of them,” said Owens. “All of them had a lot of persistence, played their hearts out, and didn’t give up.”
Shanahan also won at first singles, as freshman Daniel Gallagher carved out a 6-1, 6-2 victory to boost his record to 6-1 at first singles. His only loss this season has been to Downingtown East.
“Daniel has great strokes, and he’s steady, not overly emotional,” said Owens. “He’s a humble kid.
“He emailed me in early February, told me he had played some tennis and wanted to find out some information about the team. When he talked to me, he was very humble about himself – I asked him about his tennis experience, and he said, ‘Yeah, I played a little bit at Springton and had some lessons.’ I asked him if he had ever been ranked by a teaching pro and he said, ‘No, not that I know of.’ So I said, ‘Fine, we’re having a meeting in late February and we’re having our first practice in early March.’ When I first saw him in practice, I thought to myself, this kid is not just OK, he’s very good – he has all the strokes, and he doesn’t let anything bother him. He’s been a great addition to our team.”
Earlier this season, Gallagher defeated Great Valley’s Krish Mendiratta, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), a match that the freshman feels has been his best match of the season to date.
“I feel like I was making every ball and placing my serves well,” said Gallagher.
“Daniel was very consistent against (Mendiratta) and didn’t become overly emotional,” said Owens.
Tuesday’s match was only the second loss of season for Avon Grove (3-2), who also fell to Unionville. The Red Devils have defeated West Chester Henderson, Kennett and Haverford High School.
On Tuesday, Avon Grove prevailed at second and third singles, and at first doubles.
“We really gave it a good try today,” said Avon Grove head coach Diane Maund.
Red Devil sophomore Joe Ingram prevailed in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, at second singles, improving his record to 4-1. Last spring, Ingram posted a winning record at second singles for the Red Devils, and won two matches in the Ches-Mont singles tournament.
“Joe has been getting better and better every match,” said Maund. “He was our most improved player last year as a freshman, and he’s very dedicated.”
At third singles, Avon Grove senior co-captain Garrett Morris won 6-0, 7-6 (8-6) to boost his record to 4-1.
“Garrett is a good all-around athlete and a great doubles player too,” said Maund. “Last year, he played mostly first doubles, and some third singles, for us.”
Last spring, Morris went three rounds in the Ches-Mont doubles tourney.
At first doubles, the Avon Grove duo of sophomore Mason Walker and junior Collin Duff won, 6-4, 6-3. Last spring, Duff played fourth doubles for the Red Devils and Walker was on the junior varsity squad. Earlier this season, Walker and Duff teamed up to win a big three-set match at first doubles in a 4-3 win against West Chester Henderson.
“Collin and Mason have worked hard in the offseason and made a big improvement this season,” said Maund.
NOTES: After the match, Maund pointed out that the Red Devils prevailed in the top five spots Tuesday. The PIAA District 1 team tournament seeding is based on the five-court format, the three singles and the top two doubles spots.
Bishop Shanahan 4, Avon Grove 3
Singles: Daniel Gallagher (BS) def. Jack Perlman (AG), 6-1, 6-2; Joe Ingram (AG) def. Tommy Duncheskie (BS), 6-1, 6-1; Garrett Morris (AG) def. Michael Ziegler (BS), 6-0, 7-6 (8-6).
Doubles: Mason Walker/Collin Duff (AG) def. Conal Bonass/Marty Steinetz (BS), 6-4, 6-3; Kevin McConlogue/Jon Sprows (BS) def. Niam Patel/Jacob Schindler (AG), 6-3, 3-6, 6-2; Tyler Metz/Mark Jermyn (BS) def. PJ Boehmier/Dylan Ball (AG), 6-3, 6-3; Steve Arnold/Kyle McClatchy (BS) def. Patrick Zhang/Tucker Ross (AG), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
