Shaler boys tennis team improving in quest to be competitivel
A member of Section 3-AAA, Shaler is forced to compete against some traditional local high school tennis powers such as North Allegheny, Pine-Richland and Butler. Coach Chuck Mura is depending on a couple of players who experienced plenty of success as part of the Titans' basketball team to carry that over into tennis.
Seniors Zach Taylor and Mike Titterington are four-year starters who play first and second singles, respectively for Shaler. Each was a key contributor to the Titans' basketball team that was the top seed in the WPIAL Class AAAA basketball playoffs after both of the past two seasons.
Third singles has been manned by a player who is in his first season as a varsity player -- sophomores Brian Jockel and Aaron Acierno and freshman Chris Seifried have been splitting time at the position. The doubles teams are filled by players who are in their second season on the team. Sophomore Evan Conti and junior Trevor Allen at first doubles and juniors Brandon McNeill and Jake Raible at second doubles.
"With mostly inexperienced players, I am looking for improvement from the team as the season progresses so that we are more competitive in the future," Mura said. "Also, the team is very small in members, so I am hoping that more boys come out for the team in the future so that we can build a more competitive program."
Seniors Zach Taylor and Mike Titterington are four-year starters who play first and second singles, respectively for Shaler. Each was a key contributor to the Titans' basketball team that was the top seed in the WPIAL Class AAAA basketball playoffs after both of the past two seasons.
Third singles has been manned by a player who is in his first season as a varsity player -- sophomores Brian Jockel and Aaron Acierno and freshman Chris Seifried have been splitting time at the position. The doubles teams are filled by players who are in their second season on the team. Sophomore Evan Conti and junior Trevor Allen at first doubles and juniors Brandon McNeill and Jake Raible at second doubles.
"With mostly inexperienced players, I am looking for improvement from the team as the season progresses so that we are more competitive in the future," Mura said. "Also, the team is very small in members, so I am hoping that more boys come out for the team in the future so that we can build a more competitive program."
tennis