NTL BOYS' TENNIS: YOUTH TOWANDA POSTS STRONG 2025 SEASON (2025-05-30)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
The Towanda boys’ tennis team had a strong season, coming up just short of an NTL title as they also qualified for team district play.

“I’m extremely happy with the Boys' performances this season,” said coach Sabrina Taylor. “They finished with a 6-5 record, much better than we figured  We didn't have enough players for a full team until several weeks after we started. Two returning players only had one year experience and two players were brand new and had never played tennis before. But we had three strong returning players who led the team at our number one, two and three positions.”

The Knights persevered on despite their low numbers.

“Luckily the NTL expanded our format options and offered a 4-3 format as well as the 3-2 format,” said Taylor. “With the 3-2 format we played three singles matches and two doubles with no repeats.  Even though we technically had seven players on the team, we didn't always have seven players at every match because of illness or other reasons why one of the players couldn't attend a match.  If we were missing a player in that format, the number three singles position has to be forfeited. With 4-3 we were able to repeat players and had much more flexibility.”

Junior Bayley Poll dominated the NTL, going undefeated as the Player of the Year, while Rian Hennessy proved to be a solid number two singles player as he blossomed into a first team NTL All-star.

“Bayley Poll faired very well in districts as a single player,” said Taylor. “He made it to the third round of the playoffs and faced very good opponents. Bayley and Rian Hennessy win the first round of doubles districts and, even though they played well, lost the second round.”

Younger players also showed a lot of growth this season, particularly third singles player, Matrix McCarter, who was a second team NTL All-stars.

“Our new players picked up the game quickly and we could match new players with some returning players, which helped the team overall,” said Taylor. “Our seasoned players were extremely helpful and encouraging to the new players, which was very helpful to the team.”

Taylor also felt team camaraderie was a key factor for their success.

“Our players are very close as a team,” Taylor said. “During the season we spend a lot of time together and we become more like a family than just a team.  When you like what you do and the people around you, it makes you play better and work harder.”

They opened the year with a 3-2 win over NPL, then suffered a close loss to Hughesville (3-2). A 3-2 win over Galeton got them back above .500.

After a pair of losses they won three matches in row, beating NPL (4-1), and sweeping CV (4-1, 4-1). After a loss to Loyalsock they punched their ticket to districts with a win over Galeton (3-2).

To end the regular season they nearly knocked off Wellsboro (3-2), a win that would have put them into a tie with the Hornets for the league title.

They lost to South Williamsport, 4-1, in district duals.

The Knights lose Hennessy but return everybody else, including Poll, so they hope to be in the running for the NTL title again next season.  

“The 2025 season was very enjoyable and successful,” said Taylor. “I believe all the players had a great time and played very well.”

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