Gateway boys tennis seeks redemption

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, March 12, 2018 | 12:21 AM

After finishing one win short of a postseason berth last year, the Gateway boys tennis team looks to get over the hump with a young and enthusiastic roster.

Last season, Gateway (5-9, 3-9) lost a pivotal Section 1-3A match to Norwin, 3-2, which placed the Gators sixth in the nine-team section.

This season, Gateway must cope with losing its No. 1 singles player, Nishant Patel, to graduation.

Gators coach Rochelle Seilhamer expects to elevate senior Nathan Piper to the top singles position while keeping junior Matt Harris at second singles.

Piper and Harris played in the Section 1-3A singles tournament last season.

Harris defeated Connellsville's Seth Dolan, 10-1, in the opening round before falling to Penn-Trafford's Turner Price, the eventual the Section 1-3A champion, 10-0 in the second round.

Piper lost to Latrobe's Isaac Poole, 10-3, in the second round after a bye in the opening round.

Seilhamer will allow senior Noah Chough and junior Braxton Harvey to battle at third singles.

“I think the season is going to be a pretty good season. We have a lot of ninth graders that came on the team. I'm very happy with the kids that have come out for the team,” Seilhamer said.

“They all are coming a long pretty quick. I think this is the best team I've had … in a long time.”

In doubles, Seilhamer is encouraged with the amount competition on the 11-player team.

The doubles pairings will be influenced heavily by a trio of freshmen: Ryan Tandoc and twins Nathan and David Clark. Junior Anthony Manzo and sophomore Jacob Daum hope to factor into the discussion.

“My hardest thing is going to try to find out who's going to play doubles last year. I have more kids that want to play doubles together, and they also look good in the games that we play,” Seilhamer said.

Seilhamer has been impressed with the intelligence and skill of the freshman class.

“In practice, the young bloods are just like sponges. You just say something, and they get it. That's why I'm really enthused about the kids I have this year. They just understand everything I'm trying to tell them,” Seilhamer said.

“Normally, when you get the newbies and they say they haven't played before, then they can't hit a ball, but these kids can.”

With the athleticism of the freshman class and the returning players, Seilhamer doesn't have to focus on the basics of tennis and can work on fine-tuning individual games.

“I watched some of the drills the national kids do, and I used some of those today. It was more or less for speed,” Seilhamer said.

“We feed balls by hand because it takes too much time. This way they have to move fast, and they seem to like that a lot better.”

Gateway plays in Section 1-3A. Penn-Trafford went undefeated in section play last season, and Latrobe, Franklin Regional and Norwin filled out the top four.

The Gators start their season Friday with a home nonsection game against Highlands.

“I can't wait to see what they become and how they handle pressure, the season,” Seilhamer said. “They are so up for this, it's unbelievable.”

Andrew John is a freelance writer.

Tags: Gateway