SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. — The Abington Heights boys tennis team returns a wealth of experience in singles play, but four new starters currently make up the squad’s two doubles teams.

Singles starters Rishi Mulloth and Sahas Chandragiri, both seniors, along with junior Brandon Ostrowski have been key contributors to the team since their freshman year.

“We’re looking for Rishi and Sahas to shine in their senior year,” Abington Heights head coach Tom Lavelle said. “They have been important factors in our success at the league, district and state level. They’re really coming into their own, they know they’re capable of improving and have already done so.”

Seniors Jacob Linker and Eric Mahoney along with sophomores Timmy Christman and Owen Holland have been the team’s starting doubles units during the first two league matches.

According to Lavelle, there is an open competition for doubles spots on the team.

“We have a lot of talented student-athletes who are able to perform and fill in very well,” he said. “I expect a lot of people to have opportunities to make contributions.”

Per Lavelle, senior Dylan Eisenlohr and junior Spencer Gilbert may get the first crack at entering the rotation.

Abington Heights won the District 2 Class 3A boys team championship and advanced to the semifinals of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Class 3A Championships last season.

“The experience of competing at the state level, whether it be in singles, doubles, or the team championship, is invaluable,” Lavelle said. “We know the level of tennis we have to achieve to compete on that stage.”

Chandragiri defeated Mulloth to win the District 2 Class 3A singles title last year and Mulloth teamed with Ostrowski to claim the district doubles championship.

Lavelle expects Delaware Valley and Scranton Prep to provide the toughest competition within Lackawanna League play.

“I’m hopeful we’ll be competitive in league play against some very distinguished programs and also at the district level,” he said. “Our goal is to repeat our success and build upon it.”

The Comets will travel to play Honesdale at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 7.

Senior Rishi Mulloth is one of three returning singles starters for the Abington Heights boys tennis team.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_ABJ-AH-Tennis-Mulloth.jpg.optimal.jpgSenior Rishi Mulloth is one of three returning singles starters for the Abington Heights boys tennis team. Abington Journal file photo

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.