Six area 2A players eliminated

BETHLEHEM – For one, it was familiar territory.

The other? Something new entirely.

Palmerton’s Nate Andress had been here before. The junior made it to the second round of the District 11 Class 2A singles tournament the last two years.

For teammate Mattis Willuhn, the experience of making it past the first round was far from recognizable. The Blue Bombers’ German exchange student was competing in the event for the first time.

Both acquitted themselves well.

Andress and Willuhn advanced to the second round on Monday at Lehigh University. Though both were eliminated, the moment was special for both players – and Palmerton head coach Jennifer Danzeisen.

“They worked really hard, and deserve to be here,” said Danzeisen, who also had Marc Roselli qualify for the tournament. “And I think they played really well today.”

Andress, the Blue Bombers’ No. 1 singles player, defeated Notre Dame East Stroudsburg’s Colin Kissell 6-1, 6-0 in the first round before falling 6-2, 6-1 to No. 8 seed Joel Thompson of Saucon Valley in his second match.

Thompson was anything but an unknown for Andress, who noted the two play together at Winning Touch tennis in Allentown.

“I know him pretty good. It should have helped, but it really didn’t show on the scoreboard,” Andress said with a laugh. “But he’s a really good player.”

After dispatching Pen Argyl’s Aidan McMahon 6-2, 6-2 in the first round, Willuhn’s tournament ended with a 6-0, 6-1 loss to No. 6 seed Bobby Smolyansky of Notre Dame East Stroudsburg.

Win or lose, the opportunity to play – and record a victory – in the district tournament is something Willuhn will never forget.

“It’s new. I’m only here for 10 months,” said Willuhn. “It’s a cool experience to say I was at the district tournament. And I won a match.”

Willuhn didn’t know what to expect prior to the start of the tournament and Danzeisen wasn’t sure what to anticipate from her No. 2 singles player prior to the start of the season.

“I wasn’t sure how it was going to go,” Danzeisen said. “He told me he played in Germany, but I wasn’t sure how he was going to be. And when he came out, I was like, ‘This is great.’ Because I saw right away he had the ability and the skill.

“He had a really good record (this season). He only lost two matches.”

Roselli won his opening round match, 6-2, 6-2 over Pottsville’s Chris Ott. The senior lost 6-0, 6-0 to No. 7 seed Robbie Shaff of Moravian Academy in the first round.

Jim Thorpe’s Emilio Mercado and John Fedora, along with Lehighton’s Maura Phelan, also lost in the first round.

Phelan fell 6-1, 6-2 to Palisades’ Michael Swope. The senior pushed Swope, and led 2-1 in the second set.

“Those points are definitely important where it could go either way,” said Phelan. “But I think the biggest part of tennis is just kind of moving on from each point, and having it be like a new opportunity to hit a good stroke or play on.”

Phelan has embraced her role as the Indians’ No. 1 singles player, something that has helped her progress throughout the season.

“I just played some really amazing people this season, and it’s allowed me to improve really quickly this year,” she said. “And I hope I can just take that with me.

“That’s the only way to get better, is to play people who are really tough.”

Mercado lost 6-3, 6-3 to Salisbury’s Aaron Kahn, while Fedora went down 6-1, 6-0 to No. 5 seed Pat Bassil of Notre Dame Green Pond.

“Personally, I feel great that I got in and I feel like I played really well,” said Mercado. “I feel like that was the best I ever played.”

Fedora echoed those sentiments.

“I think I definitely played the best I ever have,” said Fedora. “I had the most solid shots I’ve ever had. I judge a match like that on how I played, not what the outcome was.”

QUICK TURNAROUND … Jim Thorpe also played a match against MMI on Monday after the district tournament. The Olympians fell 3-2.

NO SURPRISE? … All eight seeded players in the field advanced to the quarterfinals.

UP NEXT … The quarterfinals and semis will take place today at Saucon Valley High School. The championship match is scheduled for Thursday at Lehigh.