Penn-Trafford tennis sets sights on states

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, March 12, 2018 | 11:00 PM

The Penn-Trafford boys tennis team is favored to repeat as Section 1-AAA champion with its top two players hoping to go out with a bang.

Seniors Turner Price and Kevin Lee placed first and second at the section singles championship tournament last season. Later, they won the section doubles title, qualifying for the WPIAL championship for the third consecutive season as partners.

Price said it would be awesome if they made states this year.

The two, section runners-up in 2015 and 2016, never have gotten beyond the first round at WPIALs.

The top three finishers at the WPIAL championship May 10-11 will advance to the PIAA championship May 25-26 in Hershey.

“We look forward to good results from (both),” Penn-Trafford coach Jane Debone said.

Among other returning players are sophomores Samuel Painter and Adam Yamrick and seniors Josh Ritter and Collin Hough.

“We are still sorting out the rest of our varsity and junior varsity lineups,” Debone said.

The Warriors were set to open the season March 12 with a scrimmage at Seneca Valley.

Their first section match will be Monday at home against Franklin Regional.

“We anticipate excellent competition within our section,” Debone said.

Norwin senior Chad Sanderson said the Warriors are the team to beat.

The Warriors went 8-0 in the section last season, qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs for the 10th season in a row.

They downed Chartiers Valley, 3-2, in the first round before bowing to Upper St. Clair, 4-0, in the second round. It was the first time since beginning their streak in 2008 they won an opening-round match.

“We have all intentions of working hard to make the playoffs and go as far as we can,” Debone said.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Penn-Trafford