PHILADELPHIA – Yesterday afternoon, La Salle College High School’s tennis team preserved their now 11-year legacy. The Explorers took the courts against the Saint Joseph Prep Hawks in the 2017 PCL Tennis Championship at Chestnut Hill College.
After approximately three and a half hours of hard fought rallies, a verdict was finally reached. La Salle beat Saint Joe’s Prep by a close match score of 3-2.
Last year, SJP third singles player Mike Haley found himself in a tough battle against La Salle senior, Mike DeAngelis. This year, Haley found himself in another hard-hitting match against sophomore Owen DeAngelis.
2017 PCL Tennis Championship
The two went back and forth in their No. 2 singles match with Haley winning the first set 6-3. DeAngelis bounced back to grab the second set 7-5. With both teams benches roaring, Haley and DeAngelis put forth their best efforts. The duo ran down every ball and their long rallies kept everyone watching on the edge of their foldable seats.
In the end it was DeAngelis who came away with the third set 6-4.
“To be tied 2-2 with St. Joe’s Prep in the championship and to come out as top dog is all I could ever ask for this year,” said DeAngelis. “In the third set I went up 5-1, but Mike Haley really fought back and really played a tough match, it was 5-4, and I was able to get the last game.”
Post Match Interview with La Salle's Owen DeAngelis
Celebration & Plaque Presentation
Post Match Interview with La Salle's Dan Porreca
The Hawks were the first to walk off the court with a victory, as the No. 1 doubles team of Colin Browning and Russell Seneca defeated Joe Devine and Matt DeMerlis 6-2, 6-1 in two quick sets.
“Our No. 1 doubles team of Colin Browning and Russell Seneca was put together at the beginning of the season. Colin, a senior, became a mentor for Russell (sophomore). He made Russell play at a higher level and coached him,” said SJP’s head coach Mark Kravetz. “But the main reason for their success is that they liked each other and became good friends so each of them wanted to win for the other.”
St. Joe’s Prep’s No. 2 doubles team contributed to the Hawks second win of the afternoon. Dan and Mark Stahl defeated La Salle’s Rob Denny and Austin Lordi 6-3, 6-2.
“Our No. 2 doubles team of Dan and Mark Stahl came together late in the season. They are brothers, so they are clearly on the same page,” said Kravetz. “We lost at that position to La Salle earlier in the year, so I made a change on the Thursday before the championship match when we played Haverford. They obviously played well because I went with them in the championship v. LaSalle and we reversed the outcome. Huge win."
The Hawks battled with the Explorers until the last match. Coach Kravetz commended his team on their work ethic in their final PCL match.
“[I’m] very proud as my players left everything on the court and held their heads high in defeat. I felt that we were the better team, but just fell a little short,” said Kravetz. “Mike Haley played well and fought to the end of the match despite being fatigued in the 3rd set. Give him tons of credit."
La Salle’s head coach Gerard Brett applauded the Hawks on another well fought match-up.
“I give credit to [SJP] coach Mark Kravetz, I know him well. He always has his guys prepared,” said Brett. “It’s always a battle. They made great adjustments, it was 3-2 but a number of our matches were all nail biters.”
La Salle’s No. 1 singles player, Dan Porreca, was the first to walk off the court securing a 6-3, 6-3 victory for the Explorers. Coach Brett explained that Porreca worked his way up to the starting spot after the teams former No. 1, Andrew Lutschaunig, suffered a torn meniscus at the beginning of the season.
“This year we lost six seniors and our first singles player who is ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania and in the top 100 nationally. Andrew went down at the beginning of the season and our guys responded. It was a slow start, but we went undefeated in the Catholic League and here we are."
“To begin the year, Owen [DeAngelis] was actually our No. 1 singles player and he showed a lot of character as Dan [Porreca] came up the ladder, and by the end he [Dan] was showing that he was our No. 1 player. Credit goes to Owen for graciously stepping into that No. 2 role and today he showed us what he’s got and Dan stepped right in. The seniors keep Dan in line, but he’s got excellent fundamentals and tenacity,” said Brett.
Porreca was excited to become a part of La Salle’s team this season, not knowing that he would eventually serve as a vital part to the Explorer’s roster.
“This was a new experience for me because I’ve never been on a tennis team before. I always wanted to play varsity tennis for La Salle but I never expected to play No. 1 singles because I’ve heard of Andrew [Lutschaunig] and how good he was,” said Porreca. “I had to prove myself to the coaches by playing well and winning all of my matches, and that’s what I did and they moved me up as the year went on.”
La Salle will finish up their regular season with two out of league matches against Wissahickon High School tomorrow afternoon and Springside Chestnut Hill Academy on Thursday, May 4. The Explorers will move on to play in the PIAA District 12 City Championship on May 11 against Abraham Lincoln High School.
For now, La Salle can continue to bask in the glory of being PCL champions until next spring. With 11 straight titles to their name, one must wonder, what is the key to their success?
“One is our assistant coach Joe Radvansky, this is carrying on a tradition even before me when Bill Geiger used to be head coach here. It’s what we have instilled in our guys for years. It’s character, it’s grit. Today they were down 2-0, and stormed back,” said Brett.
“Positive attitude and hard work,” added La Salle’s assistant coach Joe Radvansky.