Lower Merion edges Conestoga in battle of unbeaten boys tennis teams

Tredyffrin >> The Conestoga boys’ tennis team, PIAA 3A state finalists last year, came into Wednesday’s match against Lower Merion with an 8-0 record.
But the Pioneers were facing an Aces squad that hasn’t lost a match in three years, and were two-time defending state champions.
In Wednesday’s rematch of last year’s PIAA 3A state final (which was a 3-1 Aces win), Conestoga battled hard in a close 4-3 loss to Lower Merion (10-0).
“Any match that we have against Conestoga can go either way — I think we could win 5-0, or they could win 5-0,” said Lower Merion head coach Harris Mailman. “I think if you play this match 100 times you’ll get a different result every time. The thing I love about Conestoga is that their kids are fantastic every year. They have excellent sportsmanship, and both our kids and their kids always get along, which makes for a competitive yet a gentleman’s match.”
In two of the doubles matches, Conestoga bounced back from first set losses to capture both matches in three sets.
Conestoga head coach Britt Aimone said, “I’m very proud of our team – we played tough today.”
Lower Merion, which captured two of the top three places in the recent Central League singles tournament, swept its three singles matches against Conestoga Wednesday.
The first singles match featured Lower Merion’s Brian Yi against Conestoga senior Chait Krihsna, who finished 1-2, respectively, in the Central League singles tourney. In Wednesday’s match, Yi prevailed, 6-4, 6-3.
“I was trying to grind it out, let the match come to me,” said Yi. “Once I found my rhythm in the first set (with the score tied at 4-4), I felt like I started to control the match.”
Last spring, Yi played second singles during the Aces’ run to the PIAA 3A state title. He also advanced to the PIAA 3A singles state quarterfinals, and two years ago captured the PIAA 3A state doubles championship with his brother Justin.
“Brian’s one of the best players we’ve ever had,” said Mailman. “We would not have been able to achieve what we have over the last couple of years without Brian. He’s an exceptional kid who cares about the team. He has a great all-around game, he has no weaknesses.”
Krishna, who finished second in the Central League singles tourney, will be playing tennis for Haverford College.
“Chait plays the ball well at the baseline, moves the ball well, and is very mentally tough,” said Aimone.
At second singles, LM senior Mark Lancaster prevailed against Justin Xu, 6-4, 3-0 retire (injury). Lancaster finished third at the recent Central League singles tourney, and played third singles last year for the Aces’ state championship squad.
“I haven’t played (Xu) in four years, but I know he has great placement of serves – I wanted to use a variety of shots today,” said Lancaster.
“Mark’s gotten better every year – I can remember when he was a freshman and he barely made varsity, and now he’s second singles on a team that continues to get more and more talent,” said Mailman. “His commitment level is extraordinary, and he’s one of the best leaders that I’ve ever seen in my time coaching.”
Xu placed fourth at the PIAA 3A state singles tournament last spring.
Aimone said, “Justin is a very analytical player – he knows the game very well, and plans his game out well. It’s like he can go out of body and see the game (smiles).”
At third singles, Lower Merion freshman Nathan Dolgushev defeated Conestoga junior Voyin Markovic, 6-3, 6-1. Dolgushev, who is undefeated this season, said this was his toughest match to date this spring.
“He (Markovic) has a very good serve, and I’ve been practicing my serve return, I just tried to grind it out today,” said Dolgushev. “My first serve percentage was good today.”
“Nathan is like a clone of Vik Miller (a Lower Merion player who won the 2021 PIAA 3A state singles title),” said Mailman. “He just keeps getting better and better.”
Markovic finished fourth at the recent Central League singles tourney.
“Voyin has amazing power on his shot and a good serve and volley game,” said Aimone.
Conestoga won first, second and third doubles Wednesday. The Pioneer pair of senior Aaron Sun and junior Basil Lubiniecki remain undefeated (9-0) at first doubles after their 2-6, 7-6, 6-2 victory Wednesday.
“Basil has good hands at the net, and Aaron is a good hitter at the baseline – they complement each other well,” said Aimone.
At second doubles, the Conestoga duo of sophomore Raphie Lubiniecki and senior Vincent Yao prevailed in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 to improve to 9-0 at the No. 2 doubles spot.
“They played second doubles for us last year, and the two of them have the best (on-court) communication on the team,” said Aimone. “Raphie is good at the net like his brother.”
The Conestoga junior twin duo of Derek Qin and Francis Qin came back for a 5-7, 6-4, 10-5 win at third doubles; and at fourth doubles, Lower Merion senior Adam Lee and junior Ones Tuhenya won, 6-4, 6-3.
Mailman said, “There’s a really good chance we’ll be seeing Conestoga again (in Districts and/or States), but I always tell our kids it’s not about winning, it’s about doing the right things and having fun.”

Lower Merion, 4, Conestoga 3
Singles: Brian Yi (LM) def. Chaitanya Krishna (CON), 6-4, 6-3; Mark Lancaster (LM) def. Justin Xu (CON), 6-4, 3-0 retire (injury); Nathan Dolgushev (LM) def. Voyin Markovic (CON) 6-3, 6-1.
Doubles: Aaron Sun/Basil Lubiniecki (CON) def. Stoyan Angelov/Hayden Masotti (LM), 2-6, 7-6, 6-2; Vincent Yao/Raphael Lubiniecki (CON) def. Noah Sicouri/Charlie Bittinger (LM), 6-3, 6-2; Derek Qin/Francis Qin (CON) def. Sam Abella/David Liu (LM), 5-7, 6-4, (10-5); Adam Lee/Ones Tuhenya (LM) def. Ethan Davidson/Hemanth Kolluri (CON), 6-4, 6-3.