Mar 29, 2006 By Kevin Harrison For The 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The only two high school tennis programs in Fayette County got together for an exhibition match, Tuesday when the Connellsville Falcons, hosted the Falcons of Brownsville. Connellsville using a few more experienced players came away with a 5-0 win over Brownsville improving their record to 2-1 on the season, while Brownsville fell to 0-2 on the year.

In addition to receiving a forfeit, Connellsville’s Scott Campbell beat Evan Chafin in straight sets, 6-2,6-2. In the other singles match Blake Michaux of Connellsville, had to go to a tiebreaker to edge John Marcolini. The first set of the match went to Marcolini 6-0. Michaux came back to win the second set 7-6 on a 7-4 tiebreaker. With a steady drizzle and a slick court the coaches agreed to play tiebreaker won by Michaux 7-6.

In doubles play Connellsville’s Brandon Stafford and Dave Witt, beat Brownsville’s Colin Ryan and Ron Jones 6-0,6-1. In the second doubles Jon Ambrisco, and Storm Grimm scored a 6-2,6-2 win for Connellsville over Christian Sally and Adam Stimmel.

“I lost four seniors to graduation, so we are in a serious rebuilding year,” Connellsville’s Don Campbell said. “My number three singles player from last year, is now playing number one, and my number two doubles player is now playing number three singles, so were a little inexperienced in spots.”

Brownsville coach Dan LoNigro, who has been with the program since it began sympathizes. “I had to recruit a couple of kids, that have never played before,” he said. “A couple of kids I was counting on for this year decided not to continue with the program, which forced me to forfeit the number three singles until I can find a replacement.”

Both coaches agree, their teams need to improve during the year, but both, are excited to have some players that show some potential.

Brownsville is not a big tennis area, but I’ve been fortunate to have some good kids over the years,” LoNigro said. “My 2000 team did very well going 48-4 over four years. I have some work to do to get the boys team rebuilt.”

One player LoNigro is excited about is freshman Evan Chafin. ” Evan played baseball before this year, and had very little experience on the tennis court,” he said. “However he is a natural athlete and is picking things up well. He has a chance to be a really strong player.”

On the Connellsville end Campbell thinks he has a couple of kids that could show some ability. “I’ve had a couple of surprises with a couple kids coming out for their first year of tennis,” he said. “I have two kids, Dave Witt a junior, and Andy Trump a sophomore, that could get some wins for us. You think you know all the tennis players in town, but every now and then some players will sneak in and you wonder where they came from.”

Both coaches would like to see the other schools in the county start up their programs, to build a little local rivalry, but for now they will concentrate on preparing for section play.

LoNigro feels Mt. Pleasant will be strong once again, and Southmoreland and Washington will be improved. Campbell feels the class of his section this year will be Hempfield with their top three singles players returning.