AJ Sports

January 6, 2010

Birchwood juniors shine in holiday tourney

Over 100 junior tennis players from all over northeast Pennsylvania played indoor tennis at the Birchwood Holiday Classic at Birchwood Tennis and Fitness Club in Clarks Summit, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 26 and 27.

Several local players either won or placed second in this United States Tennis Association (USTA)- sanctioned event.

Emily Jonnson of Clarks Summit won her first tournament. She defeated Rachel Muir, also of Clarks Summit, in the finals of the Girls 12 – Under division. After losing the first set, Emily fought back to win the second set and the match tiebreaker to win the match and the tournament, 5-7, 6-4, 11-9.

Jimmy Tressler won his second in a row 10- Under tournament. He won the Boys 10-Under division by defeating Brian Langieri of Clarks Summit in the semi finals and Dylan Rybalov of Philadelphia.

Jai Redkar of Clarks Summit won the Boys 14- Under division without dropping a set. In the final, he defeated Rishi Mulloth of Lehigh Valley 6-3, 6-4.

Will Cognetti of Waverly won the Boys 16- Under division by defeating Jay Patel of Dalton in the final 6-0, 6-0. His sister Annie, the District High School Champion placed second in the Girls 18- Under after losing to Julia Pollack of Philadelphia in the final 6-1, 6-2.

Josh Palmer, a senior at Abington Heights High School, was on top of his game and won the Boys 18- Under division.

In the final he faced Paranjay Malhotra of Clarks Summit. After losing the first set, Palmer regrouped and found his forehand. He won the second set and the match tie breaker to win the match and the tournament, 3-6, 6-2, 10-8.

Birchwood Tennis and Fitness Club hosts several youth tennis tournaments each year. They also run tennis clinics, camps, and leagues for juniors and adults of all ability levels. For more information call 570.586.4030 or visit birchwoodtennis.com.

Tweet	Follow @TLsports