The Sewickley Academy boys tennis team was led by Severin Harmon the past four years.

Harmon, now at Dartmouth, was one of the team’s top singles players throughout his outstanding tennis career. He also competed at the No. 1 position on the boys golf team.

To coach Whitney Snyder’s delight, there is still at Harmon competing at No. 1 singles for the Panthers this season.

Freshman Johan Harmon, Severin’s younger brother, has joined the tennis team and has stepped in at the top spot.

“My expectations are to develop new players to our team, get better as our season goes on and play our best tennis in the playoffs,” said Snyder, Sewickley’s highly successful veteran coach, who is assisted by Nick Mross.

Sophomore Will Bojalad competes at No. 2 singles and a group of players has been vying for No. 3.

“Our team is a strong top-division group,” Bojalad said. “Last year, we came up just short in the playoffs against a very competitive team. But we’ve made noticeable improvements since then. I believe we have the ability to compete with and beat some of the top schools this season.

“I’m really excited about the work our team has put in during the offseason. I’m expecting big things this year and have a lot of trust in my teammates.”

Bojalad started playing tennis in fourth grade when he was 10 years old. He also is a member of the Sewickley boys golf team.

“That experience has helped me develop a stronger sense of competition and sportsmanship,” he said.

Bojalad, juniors Ben Terrell and Max Kopf and senior Finn Wentz are returning starters this year. Terrell, Kopf and Wentz were doubles players last season

Wentz competed at No. 3 singles in an early season match with North Allegheny.

“Although we are in a section with big schools, our goal is to get a top four seed for the playoffs,” Wentz said.

The dual-sport athlete also has competed in boys soccer at Sewickley.

“I started playing tennis in lower school when I was around 6 or 7,” Wentz said, “but took a break for a few years in middle school and my freshman year.”

Terrell and Kopf are the Panthers’ No. 1 doubles team while Ben Glass and either Arhan Purewal or Grayson Quigley are at the No. 2 position.

There are 10 players on the varsity squad and 10 on the junior varsity team.

A pair of sophomores, Owen Brooks and Jack Christ, round out the varsity team.