'BOYS TENNIS: Chambersburg falls to Central Dauphin in rain-shortened match

CHAMBERSBURG >> Chambersburg's boys tennis team knew it was in for an uphill battle against Central Dauphin on Monday afternoon.

The Rams entered the Mid Penn Commonwealth Division in desperate position – they are currently ranked No. 14 in the District 3 Class AAA power rankings, two spots out of playoff contention.

But Central Dauphin did everything it could and squeaked in a 3-0 team victory before a deluge of rain crashed down on Memorial Park.

"We continue to play well and remain optimistic even through the difficult matches," Chambersburg coach Brad Hill said.

Chambersburg (6-6, 3-3 MPC) has now lost four straight, including losses to pair of District 3 playoff teams and a defeat at the hands of undefeated State College.

On Monday, the Rams (9-3, 3-2 MPC) got the scoring started when Aidan Heaken quickly earned a 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 1 singles.

At No. 2 doubles, Haris Ahmed and Naushair Hussain did everything they could to hold off their Central Dauphin counterparts. Zach Fogelsanger and Michael Henning used a strong service game to earn a 6-3 victory in the first set. Ahmed and Hussain came back to win the first two games of Set 2, but that was all they could muster in a 6-2 loss.

Ryan Siebert was the other Ram to gain a point. Despite claiming what looked like a dominating 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 2 singles over Aaron Palm, there were several games that could've gone either way. The two finished just seconds before the rain caused the match to be called.

"We saw many long rallies at Nos. 2 and 3 singles," Hill said.

At No. 3 singles, Jay Padalia was looking especially strong for the Trojans. Although he went down 3-2 to Aaron Gold, Padalia pulled out four straight victories to claim the first set, 6-3. In the second set, Padalia continued to be on fire, leading 3-0 before the match was called.

The No. 2 doubles team of Garrett Ernst and Nayyer Malik was just getting started when the rain began. The duo was tied with Dante Bressi and Andre Orbeta, 1-1.

Central Dauphin 3

Chambersburg 0 at Memorial Park

Singles

1. Aidan Heaken (CD) d Michael Chute, 6-1, 6-0

2. Ryan Siebert (CD) d Aaron Palm, 6-1, 6-1

3. Jay Padalia (Ch) led Aaron Gold, 6-3, 3-0, suspended

Doubles

1. Zach Fogelsanger-Michael Henning (CD) d Haris Ahmed-Naushair Hussain, 6-3, 6-2

2. Garrett Ernst-Nayyer Malik (Ch) tied with Dante Bressi-Andre Orbeta, 1-1, suspended