Harriton defeats Upper Dublin to wrap up fifth and final spot in PIAA 3A boys tennis team tourney
Lower Merion >> Battling for the fifth and final spot in the PIAA 3A boys’ tennis state team tournament, No. 5 seed Harriton defeated a persistent, never-say-die 10th-seeded Upper Dublin squad, 3-2, in the PIAA District 1 3A team tourney fifth-place game Tuesday.
“It’s well-deserved – our players worked really hard for this,” said Harriton head coach Kathy Kesaris. “We’ve gelled and matured as a team. They’re always willing to put in the work and adjust the lineup; it’s all about the team and not about any one individual, which is fantastic. Each of our players brings something special to this team. They’re strong players who all have very different personalities but they’re very accepting of each other.”
The host Rams got straight set wins from four juniors Tuesday — at second singles (Aidan Hsu), third singles (Sloan Steinberg) and second doubles (Nathaniel Ghez and Aaron Lutz).
To earn their state tourney berth, the Rams had to beat an Upper Dublin squad that had compiled a 17-1 record, with its only loss to No. 2 seed in the district quarterfinals. Upper Dublin defeated No. 7 seed Council Rock South in the district opener, and beat No. 6 seed Great Valley, 3-2, in the district playbacks Monday.
Lora Ball, who is completing her 12th (and final) season as Upper Dublin boys and girls tennis head coach, said, “It’s definitely bittersweet – I’m going to miss the excitement. It’s been a great season – we were undefeated until we met a powerhouse in Conestoga. It’s a great group of guys – I couldn’t have asked for more. It was a team effort, and we couldn’t have come this far without every single player (on our roster).
“Harriton outplayed us today – but some of the games were tight. Our guys gave it their all. I’m very proud of them, and it’s a great way for me to go out as a coach.”
One of the two Upper Dublin match wins Tuesday was earned by senior Scott Schlackman at first singles. Next fall, Schlackman will head to George Washington University.
“Scott’s had an amazing three years at singles with us,” said Ball. “This was his first year at first singles, and he had big shoes to fill, but he more than stepped up and amazed us with some of the matches he won. He had an amazing three-set win against Great Valley on Monday. The team is going to miss Scott next year – he was not only a great teammate but a great captain.”
At second singles, Hsu prevailed for the Rams, 7-5, 6-0. Kesaris praised the junior for his leadership this spring, particularly in welcoming sophomore first singles player Brody Ladda (a transfer from The Shipley School) to the Harriton squad.
“Aidan really took Brody under his wing and made him feel welcomed,” said Kesaris. “Brody has adjusted well and fit right in with the team here.”
Steinberg also won in straight sets Tuesday, 6-4, 6-1.
“Sloan was injured at the beginning of the season,” said Kesaris. “Even though he wasn’t able to hit, he was always on the courts conditioning with his teammates to improve his game. He was able to come back strong and support his team.”
At first doubles, the Upper Dublin duo of Zack Hunter and senior Tripp Mangifesta (who will play tennis next year for Penn State-Abington) prevailed, 5-7, 6-1, tiebreaker 11-9.
Ball said, “Zack’s (former) partner, Evan Zislis, dislocated his kneecap last month, and Tripp stepped up from second doubles and he and Zack had some great chemistry and some amazing wins in the last few weeks. Meanwhile, Evan is here today supporting our team.”
At second doubles, Ghez and Lutz posted scores of 6-4, 7-6 (7-1). Kesaris praised this duo as well as the first doubles team of seniors Ozan Borowiak and Ray Ma.
“We have two strong doubles teams; we’ve had to adjust the lineup a few times, and they worked out really well together and they are able to adapt to each other’s games and strategize on how to get the win for the team.”
Harriton, who has compiled a record of 12-4 so far this season (its losses were to the four teams seeded higher than the Rams in the District 1 3A tournament – Lower Merion, Conestoga, Unionville and Downingtown East) will play its PIAA 3A state team tournament opener May 16.
NOTES: Upper Dublin’s second singles player, Tim Sheaffer, played the final match of his high school career Tuesday, and will continue his tennis career at Messiah College come this fall.
“Tim’s been a strong contributor to our team over the past three years, and I expect to hear great things about him (at Messiah),” said Ball, with a smile.
Harriton 3, Upper Dublin 2
Singles: Scott Schlackman (UD) def. Brody Ladda (HA), 2-6, 7-5, retired; Aidan Hsu (HA) def. Tim Sheaffer (UD), 7-5, 6-0; Sloan Steinberg (HA) def. Tommaso Serafini (UD), 6-4, 6-1.
Doubles: Zak Hunter/Tripp Mangifesta (UD) def. Ozan Borowiak/Ray Ma (HA), 5-7, 6-1, tiebreaker 11-9; Nathaniel Ghez/Aaron Lutz (HA) def. Hugh Devine/Noah Cohen (UD), 6-4, 7-6 (7-1).
