[ot-caption title=”Senior Elliot Seckler looks to make this season one to remember. (via Sophia Glassman, freshman)”]

PC Boys’ Tennis finished last year’s season by missing out on regionals by just one match.  With this season already underway, the boys have already proven that this year is going to be different. These boys have their sights set on bigger and brighter goals, and they’re determined to not end short in the beginning of the playoffs like last year.

So far, so good this season.  The Panthers have put together a stellar record of 6-1 through the first half of the season.  The team has 4-3 victories over both cross-town rival Westminster and last year’s 1A State Champion Sagemont.  Junior co-captain Parsa Hoghooghi commented on what those two wins meant for the confidence of the team moving forward; he states, “It definitely gives us some momentum heading down the stretch.  Anytime you can get a win against schools like Sagemont and Westminster, then that’s for sure going to give the team a confidence boost that they can carry into the future.”

Even though it may seem insignificant based on the PC blowout, the team’s thrashing 7-0 victory over district rival Archbishop McCarthy meant just as much to the boys as the wins over Sagemont and Westminster Academy.  These Mavericks stole the regional bid last year, and Pine Crest really showed their growth as a unit in this year’s match that was definitely sweet revenge.

It is clear that the boys are a better team this season, possibly the best the school has seen in three or four years. One thing that really sticks out with this squad is the balance between experienced veterans and young talent that will represent the Panthers for years to come.  Seniors Elliot Seckler and Sam Dern both have strong records at the top two singles positions and are giving it one final run before transitioning into collegiate athletics.  Additionally, the freshman duo of Daniel Gale and Sergey Golevnev have proved to be more than capable of holding their ground against usually older competitors.  The guys have failed to escape districts each of the past three years, but while advancing to regionals seems like a nice goal, this group has much higher ambitions.  Specifically, they want a spot in the trophy case in the hall of Stacy Gym. Hoghooghi shared his insight on what the ultimate goal is for the team, and also what needs to be done to make sure that they do not come up short. The captain adds, “I’d say our goals would have to be sweeping districts this year, since our team is the best it’s been in a while.  We really have our eyes set on states, the ultimate achievement for our team.  Also, getting the team to bond and become a real team is at the top of my priorities list.  We have a lot of individual talent, but I want them to recognize that it’s not about one match or the other.  It’s a team effort.  That’s how we’ll win districts and, hopefully, win states.”  Given that tennis is naturally an individual sport, getting the team to gel is a major key to success.  This group seems to be well on its way.

With five matches left before postseason play begins with districts, the players have a little more time to make sure that they are at the top of their game before embarking on their official road to states.  The last regular season match will be on March 24th against North Broward Prep, and then shortly after that the Class 2A District Championships will begin on March 29th.  If they advance, the regional and state championships will be set in early April.  It will definitely be a captivating story to follow if the Panthers can achieve the lofty goals that they have set for themselves.