Quaker Valley boys tennis looks to maintain success despite roster turnover

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, March 30, 2025 | 11:01 AM

It’s not an oddity that 2025 is a rebuilding year for the Quaker Valley boys tennis team.

“When you look at the last few years for boys varsity tennis, there seems to be a real pattern,” QV coach Christi Hays said. “On the even number years (2022, 2024), we seem to have strong, deep and experienced teams.

“But then we lose a lot of seniors, and the odd number years seem to be what we would term ‘rebuilding mode.’ Yet we have still managed to bounce back and have good success. And the scenario continues; this year is not different.”

The Quakers enjoyed a great success in 2024.

“It was a remarkable year,” Hays said.

QV won the MAC championship, finished second in the section and WPIAL, and was the No. 1 public school team in PIAA Class 2A.

But the Quakers lost seven varsity players, including six starters, from last year’s squad.

“The boys and I are optimistic and excited about the season,” Hays said. “We have nicknamed the team, ‘Team Scrappy.’ We are young and untested. We are a very eclectic group but a very cohesive group. We are made up of two hockey players, two soccer players, a number of good athletes who play tennis and one tournament player.

“For the first time in years, we are actually a young team with three freshmen and only one senior. And if that wasn’t challenging enough, we are in a new section this year with perennial strong teams like North Catholic and Hampton, and others. But Team Scrappy is ready. We already have reason to be guardedly optimistic after 4-1 preseason wins over Class 3A Moon and Montour.”

Sophomore Will Meagher is the only returning starter for the Quakers.

“We had a really good year (in 2024),” he said, “and even though we lost nearly everyone, we have a good new group of people. I believe we could make a good run for WPIALs and possibly states — even with such a young team.”

Meagher will compete in the No. 1 singles position, moving up from No. 3 of a year ago.

“Will earned the spot in preseason,” Hays said, “but based also on his amazing freshman year that saw him win crucial match after crucial match during our WPIAL and PIAA runs. He has been training year-round and has tournament experience.

“It will be a new challenge for Will this season, stepping up every match and taking on the best player from each team. But he has put in the work to be ready.”

Two other players back from last year’s team are senior captain Matthew Henry, who has drawn doubles duty, and junior Tanner Schultz, slotted at a singles spot.

“My expectations are to fight for the section title as well as make a good playoff run,” Henry said, “all while making sure to enjoy the season.”

Meagher, Henry and Schultz have been united with junior Patrick Connors and sophomore Charlie Pyle, the top two performers on last year’s junior varsity team. Both are expected to see starting time; Connors is teaming with Henry at first doubles.

Freshmen Dom Ditano and Carter Hawes will see significant playing time this season while junior Sutton Hoehl, freshman J.P. Kenny and sophomore Jack Watson also will be incorporated into the lineup.

“Last year, our winning formula seemed to be ‘win one singles and both doubles,’” Hays said. “We don’t know what our formula will be this year. But it will be fun to see how this group rounds into form.

“It might not always be pretty, but a win is a win, as they say. We are excited.”

Tags: Quaker Valley