Lower Merion boys tennis team continues its undefeated run

The Lower Merion High School boys’ tennis team, which has not lost a match in three years, picked up a couple of big wins against undefeated teams in the past week, edging Conestoga 4-3 April 19 and defeating Downingtown East 6-1 the following day.
As of Monday (April 24), the Aces had a 12-0 record, with games scheduled against Upper Darby Tuesday and Strath Haven Thursday (both expected wins) that would complete their regular season heading into the District 1 3A team tournament, in which Lower Merion is expected to be seeded first.
On April 19, the Aces were facing a Conestoga squad that came into the match with an 8-0 record. It was a rematch of last year’s PIAA 3A state team final (the Aces won that one, 3-1).
“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.”
Lower Merion, which captured two of the top three places in the recent Central League singles tournament, swept its three singles matches against Conestoga.
First singles featured Lower Merion’s Brian Yi against Conestoga senior Chait Krihsna, who finished 1-2, respectively, in the Central League tourney. 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.”
Yi played second singles during the Aces’ run to the state title last year.
“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 league tournament, 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).
“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.”
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 singles title),” said Mailman. “He just keeps getting better and better.”
Markovic finished fourth at the Central League tourney.
“Voyin has amazing power on his shot and a good serve and volley game,” said Aimone.
In two of the doubles matches, Conestoga bounced back from first-set losses to win in three sets.
Conestoga head coach Britt Aimone said, “I’m very proud of our team – we played tough today.”
Conestoga won first, second and third doubles. The 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.
“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.
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.
On April 20, the Aces defeated Downingtown East (which came into then match with an undefeated record), 6-1. At first singles, Yi defeated Shrihan Madam, 6-1, 6-2; at second singles, Lancaster defeated Abhiraj Srivastava, 6-2, 6-3; and at third singles, Dolgushev defeated Soumil Patel, 6-1, 6-1.
At first doubles, Hayden Masotti and Stoyan Angelov defeated Abhineet Srivastava and Rohun Gargya, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4; at second doubles, Charlie Bittinger and Noah Sicouri defeated Vishruth Madam and Ashwin Natarajan, 7-6, 6-7, 6-1; at third doubles, Ones Tuhenya and David Liu defeated Sachiel Varada and Devin Mcbride, 6-2, 6-4; and at fourth doubles, the Aces fell, 1-6, 6-7.
NOTES: In the PIAA District 1 3A singles tournament April 21-22, Krishna finished third and Yi fourth. Yi could not compete in the third-place match due to a conflicting Level 4 USTA regional tournament. Likewise, Council Rock’s Alex Sterin could not compete in the championship final because he was playing in the same Level 4 tourney, so Council Rock senior Mikkel Zinder was declared the District 1 3A singles champion.