With the MFS spring sports season in full swing, the Boys’ Varsity Tennis team has emerged as the winner of the Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) with a 14-2 record as of May 22. Despite adjusting to a new athletic conference this season, the team has found individual and collective success with standout performances and impressive tournament results.
MFS officially switched to the BCSL at the beginning of the Winter 2023-24 sports season for two reasons: concerns over other schools in the Friends School League recruiting athletes, and a desire for competition with teams in a more local region.
The transition has been successful, according to varsity captain Dhru Ponnamaneni ’24, who said that “switching leagues allows [the team] to focus on competition in New Jersey rather than worry about schools in Pennsylvania.” He expressed that being able to play teams within the same region as MFS has allowed the team to be better prepared heading into games. Ponnamaneni stated, “When we get to matches, a lot of [MFS] guys know the other team’s players from lessons or tournaments, so we have a better sense of who we’re playing and what to expect.”
Many members of the team gain additional practice through outside coaching and independent play, and their dedication to the sport has been a key factor in the team’s success.
“We have a core group of guys who are all committed to continuous improvement, and show it in practice and matches,” said Kathleen Gonzalez, boys’ varsity head coach, in regard to the team’s impressive winning record. She noted, “Our success didn’t happen overnight. Our squad works throughout the year through lessons and tournament play, always honing their craft.”
The team’s strong performances throughout the season have attracted regional attention, with doubles partners Robert Li ’25 and Jason Youssef ’26 being named BCSL Players of the Week of April 24.
Youssef commented on his recent recognition and said, “It was cool [to receive the award]. I try to focus on playing well and being a good partner with Robert. It’s nice for us to be recognized.”
Another indication of the team’s success this season is their results over rival school Moorestown High School (MHS). The Foxes beat MHS twice this season, in the Moorestown Classic Consolation tournament on April 14 and at a recent match on May 6, marking MFS’s first victory against MHS in eight years.
Ponnamaneni stated, “[After beating] Moorestown High School in a tournament earlier this season, we were pretty confident that we would be able to beat them again.” He added, “It feels great as they have been so dominant for the past few years, but at the end of the day we are both representing Moorestown so we always have a friendly rivalry.”
As the team continues to notch wins, their success has contributed to a positive atmosphere and strong relationships between members of the team. This sportsmanship has motivated them to represent the rest of the team and the school with their performances on the court. Gonzalez summarized, “They enjoy competing and being with each other. It’s a great winning combination!”
