West Chester East’s Ben Gao is a first team selection for Daily Local News All-Area Boys Tennis singles. (Tom Silknitter – For Daily Local News)
First Team
Singles
BEN GAO, West Chester East >> A three-time first team all-area selection, the Viking junior won the Ches-Mont National singles tournament title and finished fifth at the PIAA District 1 3A singles tourney, becoming only the second Viking ever to qualify for the state singles tourney.
ETHAN SUN, Conestoga >> The No. 1 singles player for the PIAA 3A state champion Pioneers, the Conestoga freshman finished second at the District 1 3A singles tournament, and placed second in the Central League singles tourney.
ANDREW OU, Unionville >> A three-time first team all-area selection, the Longhorn junior finished second at the Ches-Mont American Division singles tournament, behind Daily Local News Player of the Year Matt Miller.
DANNY GALLAGHER, Bishop Shanahan >> The Eagles sophomore finished second at the Ches-Mont National Division singles tournament, and placed second at the PIAA District 1 2A singles tourney.
Doubles
ROHAN RAO – VOYIN MARKOVIC, Conestoga >> Finished second at the PIAA 3A state doubles tournament. Captured the PIAA District 1 3A doubles tournament title, as well as the Central League doubles tourney.
SHRIHAN MADAM –VISHRUTH MADAM, Downingtown East >> This brother duo of Shrihan (a junior) and Vishruth (a sophomore), a repeat selection for all-area first team doubles, captured the Ches-Mont National doubles tournament title, winning all four matches in straight sets.
ANDREW OU – ANDY YE, Unionville >> These two versatile Longhorn juniors paired up for a notable post-season run as a doubles team, finishing first at the Ches-Mont American Division doubles tournament, and placing fourth at the PIAA District 1 3A doubles tourney.
LEO SHI – JACK SHELDON, Downingtown West >> These two talented Whippets teamed up for a second-place finish in the Ches-Mont National Division doubles tourney, advancing to the District 1 3A doubles tourney and winning in the first round.
PATRICK SINNOTT – ZACH EVANS, West Chester Henderson >> After a third-place finish in the Ches-Mont National doubles tourney, this Warrior duo won their first two matches in the District 1 3A doubles tourney, advancing to the quarterfinals and eventually finishing in sixth place.
JIMMY XIAO – JOSH VERANO, Great Valley >> This talented pair of Patriot juniors teamed up nicely for a second-place finish at the Ches-Mont American Division doubles tourney, and advanced to the District 1 3A doubles tournament. Noted for their smart play as a doubles team.
BASIL LUBINIECKI – FRANCIS QIN, Conestoga >> The Pioneers’ first doubles team was vital to Conestoga capturing the PIAA 3A state team title, was first team All-Central League in doubles and advanced to the District 1 3A doubles tourney.
Second Team
Singles
ROHAN RAO, Conestoga
ZACH EVANS, West Chester Henderson
SOUMIL PATEL, Downingtown East
ANDY YE, Unionville
JACK BENDETTO, West Chester Rustin
VOYIN MARKOVIC, Conestoga
SHRIHAN MADAM, Downingtown East
PIERECE ROHLFING, Devon Prep
HAYDEN FISHER, Malvern Prep
Doubles
TUCKER CARROLL – LUKE TIERNEY, Unionville
DANNY GALLAGHER — THOMAS DUNCHESKIE, Bishop Shanahan
SHANE McCUNE — VIJAY UPADHYAY, West Chester Rustin
CASHTON BAILEY – JUSTIN BROWN, Downingtown West
RAPHIE LUBINIECKI – DEREK QIN, Conestoga
JAMES GABRIELE – GUSTAV NAJDEK, Devon Prep
BRENDON YU – ELIJAH YOON, Unionville
ANUJ AWATRAMANI – DANIEL DOKES, Great Valley
Coach of the Year: Brittany Aimone, Conestoga
For the second year in a row, Aimone coached the Pioneers to the PIAA 3A state team championship, once again defeating a powerful Lower Merion squad 3-2 in the state championship finals. Aimone said, “I strive to create a culture in our program where respect, kindness, humility and grace are values that are embodied by every player on the team, day in and day out. Every single one of them showed up to every match with incredible class and honor and I truly believe that it is that mindset that was a catalyst in becoming state champions.”
