HS TENNIS: Abington Heights continues to dominate Lackawanna League

S. ABINGTON TWP. — Talented. Focused. Determined.

The Abington Heights tennis team plays with a purpose.

The Comets overwhelmed Holy Cross, one of the top teams in the Lackawanna League, just as they did every team they faced in the last 41 matches.

Praneel Mallaiah, William Arp and Domenic Peters are All-Region players, but they are not the only standouts for this skilled Abington Heights group, under the guidance of coach Art Comstock.

“I have always had that important team spirit,” Mallaiah said. “Our goal is always to win a league title, a district championship, and make noise at states. My job is to up our play at practices and at matches.”

Everything starts with Mallaiah.

Since the first day he stepped onto the courts at Abington Heights, Mallaiah surpassed the hype. He joined the Comets starting lineup as a freshman and started his varsity career having already built a reputation as a gifted player through his lessons and play on the youth level.

As a freshman, he earned his first Times-Tribune Player of the Year honor, captured the District 2 Class 3A singles title and secured a 17-1 record with his only loss coming in the PIAA first round.

He built on that in his next two seasons, and last spring, Mallaiah finished 19-2 to improve his career record to 56-6 and reached the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals.

Against Holy Cross, the senior earned his 60th win.

“That first round of states and earning a win last season, I know, meant a lot to me and meant a lot to the school and this program,” Mallaiah said. “Now, I just want to keep pushing and hopefully contend for a medal. That has always been a goal of mine. I have constantly strived to play at states and against the best competition.

“During this offseason, I worked on all of the little details of the game. I am extremely motivated.”

Arp and Peters carry on their family tennis legacies at Abington Heights.

Playing at No. 2 singles, Arp is under the watchful eyes of his mom, Kelly, who is a multiple-time coach of the year in the area for the successful girls tennis program. His sister, Susan, was a four-time All-Region player, won three straight District 2 Class 3A singles titles and finished her career 70-11.

Arp plays with confidence. The sophomore won his fourth match of the season and has a career record of 18-3.

“I have always loved the game of tennis,” Arp, 16, said. “I have been to so many of the girls matches with my mom coaching and my sister playing. Watching all that certainly helps me. My mom helps coach me and comes to all my matches to offer support.

“I have gotten stronger, and my shots have become more consistent.”

Peters also had a strong shadow to leap out from, cast by his sister, Bella. She was one of the most dominant players in District 2 Class 3A history. She finished her career as a four-time district champion with a record of 85-9 and plays at Lehigh University.

Now a senior, Peters has carved his own place in Abington Heights tennis lore.

He is also 4-0 this season and was an All-Region player last season. Peters, who is also a champion powerlifter, utilizes his strength and quickness to his advantage, and while he plays at No. 3 singles, he is likely a No. 1 for most programs. He is 16-1 in the last two seasons.

“I had huge shoes to fill,” Peters said. “She made a name for herself here. At first, it was tough to think I had to reach that level. I just did what I could and worked to get better myself, and that helped me to grow and play better tennis.

“Everybody always says tennis and powerlifting; weird, right? But you can see with the squat where that really helps me with my serve. When I am building my leg muscles, it really helps generate power with my serve.”

Abington Heights’ three singles players often clinch the overall team win in league and District 2 matches with three victories. Still, the doubles teams are also strong. Brady Comstock and Liam Farrell could headline most singles lineups on other teams. Last season, Comstock-Farrell lost in the District 2 Class 3A Doubles final to Arp and Peters.

Abington Heights, which swept all five matches in its four wins this season, got wins at No. 2 doubles from the teams of Brody Goldberg-Sebastian Meyer and Mike Klamp-Robby Lucas.

The Comets carry the tradition of this program, winning 11 straight District 2 Class 3A team championships. Each season, though, they ran into a powerful team from District 1 in the PIAA playoffs.

To sharpen their skills this spring, coach Comstock took the team to a nonleague tournament. Arp, Peters and the doubles team of Comstock-Farrell won their flights against Bethlehem Liberty, Conrad Weiser and Cedar Crest.

This week, the Comets play Dunmore and North Pocono. On April 7, Abington Heights hosts rival Scranton Prep.

Times-Tribune Top 5 teams

1. Abington Heights (4-0)

2. Scranton Prep (4-0)

3. Holy Cross (3-1)

4. North Pocono (3-1)

5. Honesdale (2-2)

Times-Tribune Top 8 singles

1. Praneel Mallaiah, Abington Heights (4-0)

2. Akhilesh Velaga, Scranton Prep (3-0)

3. William Arp, Abington Heights (4-0)

4. Domenic Peters, Abington Heights (4-0)

5, Alex Harrison, Holy Cross (3-1)

6. Alex Mullen, Delaware Valley (2-1)

7. Nick Burak, Valley View (2-0)

8. Matthew Cohen, Scranton Prep (4-0)