Allderdice tennis program shines, City doubles tournament wraps today
Perry tennis coach Mike Varlotta spoke with Sports Town today about the City championship tournaments and tennis program in general. He noted that Allderdice had been a dominant program, and that the team had chosen to play in the WPIAL for the coming year.
One game-changer that the City doubles tournament had experienced was the absence of 2011 City single champion Mike Byrum. Byrum did not play due to an advanced placement exam.
All City schools competed in the City postseason tournaments with the exception of Langley and Brashear. Varlotta hoped that the tennis players from these schools would be present next year in order to make for a bigger, better competition.
Varlotta noted that the teams’ abilities were related to the prominence of tennis in certain neighborhoods over others. “In the south and north [neighborhoods], the opportunities just aren’t there,” he said. He was referring to the fact that tennis is not as big a sport in those areas as in neighborhoods to the east of the city. Varlotta cited Schenley Park, Highland Park, and Frick Park as examples of tennis hubs in the eastern neighborhoods.
On the Perry team, Varlotta did note that Keron Jones was quite a skilled player.
Varlotta noted at the start of the City doubles finals that the match was all Allderdice. “They’re playing at a level above the rest of the competition,” he said.
One game-changer that the City doubles tournament had experienced was the absence of 2011 City single champion Mike Byrum. Byrum did not play due to an advanced placement exam.
All City schools competed in the City postseason tournaments with the exception of Langley and Brashear. Varlotta hoped that the tennis players from these schools would be present next year in order to make for a bigger, better competition.
Varlotta noted that the teams’ abilities were related to the prominence of tennis in certain neighborhoods over others. “In the south and north [neighborhoods], the opportunities just aren’t there,” he said. He was referring to the fact that tennis is not as big a sport in those areas as in neighborhoods to the east of the city. Varlotta cited Schenley Park, Highland Park, and Frick Park as examples of tennis hubs in the eastern neighborhoods.
On the Perry team, Varlotta did note that Keron Jones was quite a skilled player.
Varlotta noted at the start of the City doubles finals that the match was all Allderdice. “They’re playing at a level above the rest of the competition,” he said.
tennis