Thomas Jefferson boys tennis expects another solid season in ’19

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, June 21, 2018 | 9:55 AM

Chuck Correll is looking forward to a possible banner season in 2019 for the Thomas Jefferson boys tennis team.

It will be his 40th year of coaching.

“I anticipate another really good year next season because of the returning players, and the experience from this season,” Correll said. “We have an excellent opportunity to do better because the top players are returning, and some new (freshman) players are joining the team.”

TJ ended up 11-3 overall this season and finished second in section play with an 8-1 mark.

The Jaguars were led by dynamic sophomore sensation Yash Maheshwari, who posted a 14-0 record, was a section champion and WPIAL Class AA finalist, and qualified for the PIAA singles tournament.

He finished undefeated in both section play and the section singles tournament. Maheshwari took first place in Section 1-AA, defeating South Park's Logan Mannheimer by 6-0, 6-1 scores in the championship round.

“I have coached for 39 years and would rank Yash as one of the best three players I have ever had,” Correll said. “He was our No. 1 singles player again this year, and he set very high goals for the season.

“Yash has a very consistent baseline ground stroke, and a good kick-serve. He simply needs to get stronger, which should come with age. He is a great kid and works really hard. He has a tremendous opportunity in the next two years.”

Maheshwari's goals this season were to win WPIAL and state titles — the same as they will be in 2019.

“I lost in the first round at Hershey (in the PIAA tournament), but lost to the kid that won the whole thing so I wasn't too upset by it,” Maheshwari said. “Overall, I'm happy with my season — winning section and getting second in the WPIAL, and finishing undefeated in the regular season.

“I was disappointed in the team's season as we got second in the section when we should of got first. I think next year we will win the section as well as the WPIAL, if we play well.”

Maheshwari, who owns a 4.1 GPA, plans to continue his career at the collegiate level.

“I want to play Division I tennis when I'm in college,” he said.

Thomas Jefferson advanced to the WPIAL team playoffs, defeating Beaver before losing to Quaker Valley in a tiebreaker.

“The team worked hard during the preseason and was much better than anticipated,” said Correll, who has coached at Keystone Oaks, Chartiers Valley, South Park and TJ in his distinguished career. “Having one of the best singles players in WPIAL Class AA helps a lot.

“Our doubles play will need to improve (next season) in order to win the WPIAL championship.”

A championship run is high on the list of priorities for Maheshwari, who plays year-round at Rashid Hassan Elite Tennis Academy at Edgewood Country Club.

The Jaguars lost five seniors to graduation from this year's team. Five juniors, two sophomores and three freshman made up the rest of the squad.

The seniors consisted of Shawn Radovic, who also qualified for the Section 1-AA tournament; Stephen Ciechalski, Chris Piper, Parker Rittiger and Nico Stoicovy; the juniors were Isaiah Gathala, Chad Gress, Andrew Griffiths, Ryan O'Leary and Colin Ruggieri.

O'Leary and Radovic were the Jaguars' No. 2 and 3 players, respectively.

“Ryan also is a very good baseline player and has a good first serve,” Correll said. “Shawn was definitely the biggest surprise this year. A doubles player last year, he improved a lot and was our ‘X-factor.' His only loss came in the final playoff game of the season where he lost in a close third set.

“Besides Yash, Shawn became the most dependable player on the team. He won most of his matches because he is very athletic.”

Griffiths and Gress competed at first doubles, while Stoicovy and Rittiger manned the second doubles position.

Maheshwari and Pratham Patel represented the sophomore class on this year's team; Nathan Mutale, Roman Ruscitto and Owen Zacharias were top freshman prospects.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson