21 hours Ago By Quinn Burkitt
POTTSVILLE — Blue Mountain took the short drive up route 61 to Pottsville and shut down the Crimson Tide 5-0 on the tennis court Wednesday afternoon. The Eagles won all three of their singles matches before breezing through the doubles matchups in a true league meet for the pair of teams. “There’s no other local schools around here that tennis so it’s nice to have a team like Pottsville we can compete against,” said Blue Mountain head coach Oscar Ney.
“We have a lot of young guys playing and the kids that were out here last year want to get better.” It was a matchup of the only two boys tennis teams in Schuylkill County. Blue Mountain lost in the District XI semifinals at the end of last season and are eyeing another deep playoff run this spring.
Blue Mountain’s Evan Burcik defeated Pottsville’s Ryan March, 6-1 and 6-0, before Dylan Knittle defeated Eli Gerhart, 6-1 and 7-5. In the final singles match, Elias Eichert defeated Pottsville’s Tyler Sibbett, 6-4 and 6-0. “Every match is important and it’s good to work on things right now in the season,” said Burcik.
“We all realize we’re a team so we’re all competitive with each other and want each other to get better.” In doubles play, Blue Mountain’s Vinny DiSante and Axton Kellly shut out Pottsville’s Spencer Prestelio and Michael Prestelio, 6-0 and 6-0. Eagles Owen Gretzky and Cameron Watters then took down Jake Powers and Jacob King, 6-0 and 6-0.
“It’s always a fun rivalry with Pottsville,” said Burcik. “I’m most excited for districts and to see what I can do this year because I’ve gotten a lot better since last year.” Blue Mountain hosts Pleasant Valley Friday at 3:30 p.
m. and Pottsville will play host to Conrad Weiser Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Singles : Evan Burcik (BM) def. Ryan March (P), 6-1, 6-0; Dylan Knittle (BM) def. Eli Gerhart (P), 6-1, 7-5; Elias Eichert (BM) def.
Tyler Sibbett (P), 6-4, 6-0 Doubles : Vinny Disante and Axton Kelly (BM) def. Spencer Prestelio and Michael Prestelio (P), 6-0, 6-0; Owen Gretzky and Cameron Watters (BM) def. Jake Powers and Jacob King (P), 6-0, 6-0.
