There's a reason Warren's boys tennis team is continuing its season. It's been one of the best the Dragons have ever had.
It started with a Region 2 championship, then Shane Burns won the District 10 Class AA singles title. Thomas Pellegrino and Matt Sandberg teamed up for the D-10 doubles title, and Warren won its first ever District 10 Class AA team championship.
After a PIAA playoff victory, Warren's boys tennis team succumbed, 5-0, to eventual state champion Wyomissing in the PIAA quarterfinal.
But that's not all.
Now, Burns (25-6) gets another chance to compete at states in the 16-player singles championship. He plays District 5 champion Tyler Clites, of Hope for Hyndman Charter, at 9 a.m. Friday at the Hershey Racquet Club. Wyomissing is well represented here as well, as Ricardo Saad is among the top names. Wyomissing has two players in the singles draw and two in the doubles draw.
"I feel confident heading into states, especially with my teammates entering in doubles to support me," said Burns. "I feel prepared and have visualized my plan before heading into the match."
Matt Sandberg and Thomas Pellegrino will play twin brothers Jared and Justin Harshbarger of Somerset there at 10:30 a.m. Friday. A win would mean, Warren's duo could meet in the second round the same Winchester Thurston duo they beat at team states. Sandberg and Pellegrino have 32 individual (singles) wins each, not to mention their District 10 doubles prowess.