Shady Side Academy's Nimgaonkar brothers, Budd out for PIAA boys tennis medals
By Jeff Miller's estimation, Vivek Nimgaonkar is "good enough to win" the PIAA Class AAA singles tournament. Miller also contends that the pairing of Alok Nimgaonkar and Chris Grubbs "have a legitimate shot" at doing some damage at the PIAA doubles tournament.
Beginning today, we'll get to find out how right Miller -- the co-head coach at Shady Side Academy -- is.
Senior Vivek Nimgaonkar opens up play in PIAA singles tournament noon today in Hershey. Ninety minutes later and a few courts away at the Hershey Racquet Club, Nimgaonkar's brother, Alok, and teammate Grubbs begin their quest for a PIAA doubles championship.
"They're really good," Miller said of the team of Alok Nimgaonkar, a junior, and Grubbs, a sophomore. "Alok has the most amazing hands, so when he gets at the net, he's something. Chris is playing great tennis right now, getting stronger and stronger, and he has quite a serve... They have a legitimate shot."
Alok Nimgaonkar and Grubbs -- the WPIAL doubles champions -- play Richardo Prince and Claire Uhle of Wissahickon in the first round. Vivek Nimgaonkar -- the WPIAL singles runner-up -- plays Southern Lehigh's Eric Perez in the first round of the singles tournament.
"Going to states in singles shows what kind of talent he is," Miller said of Vivek Nimgaonkar. "He's good enough to win it, but... I don't think he will look ahead. There's a lot of good players in that draw. But he certainly is going to continue to work hard to give himself the best chance."
Beginning today, we'll get to find out how right Miller -- the co-head coach at Shady Side Academy -- is.
Senior Vivek Nimgaonkar opens up play in PIAA singles tournament noon today in Hershey. Ninety minutes later and a few courts away at the Hershey Racquet Club, Nimgaonkar's brother, Alok, and teammate Grubbs begin their quest for a PIAA doubles championship.
"They're really good," Miller said of the team of Alok Nimgaonkar, a junior, and Grubbs, a sophomore. "Alok has the most amazing hands, so when he gets at the net, he's something. Chris is playing great tennis right now, getting stronger and stronger, and he has quite a serve... They have a legitimate shot."
Alok Nimgaonkar and Grubbs -- the WPIAL doubles champions -- play Richardo Prince and Claire Uhle of Wissahickon in the first round. Vivek Nimgaonkar -- the WPIAL singles runner-up -- plays Southern Lehigh's Eric Perez in the first round of the singles tournament.
"Going to states in singles shows what kind of talent he is," Miller said of Vivek Nimgaonkar. "He's good enough to win it, but... I don't think he will look ahead. There's a lot of good players in that draw. But he certainly is going to continue to work hard to give himself the best chance."
tennis