Tennis team secures back-to-back state titles

By Suproteem Sarkar, Convergence Editor

The boys’ tennis team defeated Shady Side Academy 4-1 Saturday in the finals of the PIAA Class AAA Team Tennis Championship, defending its 2011 state title.

Senior Kevin Wang, junior Jason Sutker and sophomore Brian Grodecki won their respective singles matches at the Hershey Racquet Club in straight sets, while junior Josh Sutker and freshman Eric Yen won the first doubles match. Junior Christopher Bowles and sophomore Ryan Swope also represented Conestoga at the championship, losing in two sets in the second doubles match.

In the semifinals, held at noon on Saturday, the Pioneers triumphed over Mount Lebanon 3-0, with wins from Wang, Josh Sutker and Yen, and Bowles and Swope. The quarterfinals on May 18 were also a clean sweep for the Pioneers, as they won all 5 matches against Cedar Crest High School in straight sets.

Josh Sutker said that he was thrilled that the team could defend last year’s state title.

“It was like a repeat of last year,” Josh Sutker said. “It feels really nice and hopefully … we can win three years in a row. I’m just glad I had a good partner because the last match was really tough.”

Yen said that he could communicate well with Josh Sutker and felt welcome in his first year on the Conestoga tennis squad.

“After my victory, it felt great because we actually were down,” Yen said. “It was a tough match and we were able to play well and pull out a win.”

Josh Sutker and Yen will play in the Class AAA Doubles Championship on May 25 at the Hershey Racquet Club. Wang will compete in the Class AAA Singles Championship and look to improve upon his second place finish last year.

Suproteem Sarkar can be reached at ssarkar@stoganews.com.