Going undefeated for one season is definitely a commendable feat, but Boys’ Tennis makes that seem easy with their 194-0 winning streak in the Pac-10. This year’s team was able to hold a good overall record this season, going 11-3 (8-0 Pac-10). Coach (and mayor of Phoenixville) Leo Scoda considered this to be a building year with a young team, which makes it even more exceptional that they were able to continue their record.
With the loss of five seniors, like top doubles team Wanzell Flemming and Pat Womer, second doubles player Kevin Foedinger, and top singles players Kyle MacCelland and Tom McAvoy, it’s easy to see that Coach Scoda was unsure of how this season would turn out. Luckily, there were plenty of underclassmen who were able to take their place and do a great job. The line-up began with Steve Tassone, a sophomore, holding down first singles, followed by junior John Reading and senior Ranney Moran playing second and third singles. Junior Steve Ng and senior Colin Small played first doubles. Yusuf Brown and sophomore Mike Potts started the season playing second doubles. Senior Brian Tassone and junior Mike Reeves played third doubles, but sometimes rotated into second doubles. Finishing at fourth doubles was senior Matt Feldman and freshman John McInally. The captains this season were seniors Colin Small and Brian Tassone, who were the only seniors to play varsity last year.
Overall, this season was a success. “Although the team did take some lumps in the beginning of the year,” as Coach Scoda put it, “they were able to come back even stronger.” The team played in a Kiwanis tournament early on in the season at Arthur Ashe Tennis Center on March 19th and 20th. Despite the team’s third place finish, they were able to learn from their mistakes. It was a great prep for the season and helped the players to grow closer as a team. The team started out rather inexperienced, but over the season they improved greatly and proved themselves to be a dominant force. As the season went on they learned how to work together and work as a team. One of the most enjoyable experiences was the April trip to Sea Colony Delaware to compete in a tournament.
Recently, the boys’ tennis team played in districts and won their first match, defeating New Hope 4-1. The season ended going against the defending AA state champions, Lower Moreland. They put up a valiant fight, but lost 0-5. At singles districts, Steve Tassone reached the quarterfinals. Over the course of the season Assistant Coach Mr. Zittel noticed huge improvements in Steve Tassone. “He should be the league champ next year,” noted Zittel. Then, at doubles districts, Steve Tassone and John Reading were able to reach the semi-finals before losing a tough match to the #1 seeded Lower-Moreland team.
Next season definitely looks promising with many of the varsity team members returning, as well as a huge crop of talented JV players including Kyle Taylor, Kyle Eldridge, Shane Holland, Brian Schanzenbach, James Churgai, Adam Leggieri, and team clown Drew Pilcicki. Coach Scoda said, “Unlike this year, we will have a nice veteran season next year.” It won’t be a season devoted to “filling in” and “rebuilding,” but rather will consist of mostly the same players. Overall, great job this season boys, and good luck next year!

Posted by
Rebecca McCulloch