Top seeds John Sinnott and Jonah Ng prevail in District 10's boys tennis tournament finals
Erie High tennis player John Sinnott was intent on winning District 10’s Class 3A singles tournament ahead of Monday’s championship match.
His pursuit extended beyond memories of losing last season’s large-school doubles final next to older brother Owen Sinnott, a current player for Penn State Behrend.
It also was more than living up to his status as the tournament’s top seed.
Sinnott’s incentive was pride. Not just for himself, but for all past and present Royals.
Thus, the reason for the junior’s sense of satisfaction after his 6-1, 6-3 victory over McDowell’s Gridley Wright. No Erie High tennis player, male or female, won a district singles final before that outcome at Westwood Racquet Club.
“This means a lot,” Sinnott said. “We haven’t always had the most respect as some other tennis programs, so this is really going to put us on that map. Maybe we can (attract) some other guys to play here.”
Results: District 10 spring sports results for May 6-11
Showing more emotion
Sinnott and Wright warmed up for their match on Westwood’s show court moments after Cathedral Prep’s Jonah Ng and Gavin Ferretti, winners of the district’s last two Class 2A tournaments, concluded their final.
Ng, the 2022 champ, denied his sophomore teammate consecutive titles with a 6-1, 6-0 win.
“Playing Gavin was tough,” Ng said. “I want him to succeed just as much as me, so that (match) was really hard.”
There was a difference in Ng’s presence from his initial district title run two years ago.
The junior’s game remained the same. Now, as then, he rifled a constant barrage of service and baseline winners at his four tournament opponents.
Instead, it was Ng’s behavior between points that was noticeable. His screams of personal encouragement and occasional fist pumps were more pronounced than past appearances at Westwood.
That assessment was accurate, according to Ng.
“That’s what they do in college,” he said, “so yeah, I guess now I like to show a little more emotion.”
Sinnott showcases skills
Sinnott was the district’s first male singles tennis titlist who represented an Erie public school since 2017. Anthony Villella won that year’s 2A tournament under Strong Vincent’s banner.
The City of Erie School District consolidated its three high schools later that year. Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy students, which include Sinnott, must compete for the Royals in PIAA sports.
More: Monday's District 10 Class 2A boys tennis final will pit tournament's last two champions
Matthew Prenovitz and Henry Polaski wore Erie High’s royal purple and white uniforms when they won the district’s 2021 3A doubles tournament. They, like Sinnott, had John Boetger as their coach.
Boetger raved about Sinnott’s on-court evolution after Monday’s match.
“John had a good forehand,” he said, “but he’s worked incredibly hard to get technically perfect on his backhand. He’s also learned how to volley this year.
“There’s a difference between a good striker of the ball and somebody who absolutely knows how to win points. John showed that (Monday).”
Sinnott has less than 24 hours to enjoy his historic win against Wright. He’ll travel to Lakevue Athletic Club in Valencia, Butler County, for Tuesday’s 10 a.m. PIAA play-in match against District 8’s top seed.
The winner will advance to the main portion of the state’s 3A singles tournament, which is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend at Hershey Racquet Club.
Ng automatically advanced there in the 2A bracket.
More: Vote from May 6-8 in the latest Erie County high school Athlete of the Week polls
Monday's champs are ineligible to participate in Wednesday's district doubles tournament at Westwood. Matches for that one-day competition are scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m.
Mike has worked for the Erie Times-News editorial department since 1997 and full time with its sports department since 2004. He was the sports editor for the former Titusville Herald from 1991-93.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: John Sinnott claims an historic District 10 win for Erie High tennis
