Jim Thorpe edges Tribe in tennis

Composure.

That attribute has been key to the Jim Thorpe boys tennis team staying in the District 11 Class 2A playoff hunt.

On Wednesday afternoon in the Lehigh Valley Health Network/Times News Game of the Week against Lehighton, the Olympians’ composure was needed to edge the Indians, 3-2.

Tennis is a mental game, and Thorpe (6-8) needed every bit of its mental toughness from each one of its competitors to come away with the victory.

“This bunch never hangs their heads. I have had teams in the past where you could look around the court and you could tell they were losing. This team doesn’t do that, they never get down on themselves,” said Olympians head coach Norb Lienhard. “They’ve also been great at taking criticism and coaching and learning from it. There’s no attitudes, they just keep going, keep playing, and that’s always what you want.”

John Fedora, the Lehigh Valley Health Network/Times News Player of the Match, came up with a big win at No. 1 singles for Thorpe. Fedora was tested early on by Maura Phelan, taking the first set by just two games, but then dominated the second set, winning 6-1.

“It’s always nice to get a win for your team, and we needed this one. Maura is a tough opponent and she moved me around today, which took some time to adjust to, but I was able to play better as the match went on,” said Fedora. “Our team as a whole, I think we’re getting better and a lot of us are back next year. We just have to finish the season strong so we can make districts.”

The Olympians were able to clinch the match with a vital No. 3 singles win from Raymond O’Neil, and an equally important victory by Thorpe’s No. 2 doubles squad of Nolan Rehrig and Erik McLain-Walter, who came away with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 victory.

For Lehighton (1-9), which came into the season with some inexperience, it came away with two victories and many positives, including an improvement from its season-opening 4-1 loss to Jim Thorpe.

“We have athletes, so learning the fundamentals and improving has been the goal for us this season,” said Lehighton head coach Joe Zarelli. “With the weather, obviously we haven’t even been able to practice much, so to battle like we today was good to see.

“Today, I could see a big improvement. We’re getting better at not beating ourselves. We are returning serves and we have better rhythm. There’s a lot of positives we can take away from today’s match.”

Jim Thorpe 3, Lehighton 2

SINGLES

John Fedora (JT) def. Maura Phelan 6-4, 6-1; Mark Solt (L) def. Emilio Mercado 6-3, 3-6, 7-2, Raymond O’Neil (JT) def. Olivia Frendt 6-4, 6-1.

DOUBLES

Tyler Steigerwalt/Nate Petit-Clair (L) def. Connor Rodgers/Matt Widdicombe 6-3, 6-3; Nolan Rehrig/Erik McLain-Walter (JT) def. Gavin Cressley/Miranda Pettit 7-6 (7-4), 6-1.