Back on April 6, Germantown Academy had defeated the visiting Penn Charter tennis team, 4-3, and the Patriots had gone on to register additional Inter-Ac League victories over Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (5-2), Malvern Prep (7-0), and Haverford School (4-3).

When the Pats paid a visit to PC last Friday afternoon, the Quakers were able to reverse the outcome of one of the bouts they'd lost to the Pats at the beginning of the month. Prevailing 4-3, the Quakers handed Germantown its first league loss of 2021.

In addition to GA, Penn Charter had previously lost to Haverford, while beating an improving SCH  squad, 4-3, and also Malvern, 5-2. While GA had gotten by Haverford School, 4-3, Penn Charter fell to the Fords, 1-6.

The lone Quakers win against the traditionally strong Main Line franchise came at first singles, where junior Liam Birnie has not lost a single bout this season.

His personal streak continued last Friday with a 6-3, 6-2 decision over visitor Jason Yang, a fellow 11th-grader who is the Patriots' number one.

PC does not have any other players on the roster close to Birnie's level, and it was not surprising when GA's two talented freshmen captured the other singles matches last Friday. Armon Meinstein mastered PC's sophomore number two, Ethan Cohen, 6-0, 6-0, and in the third flight Max Baer beat Charter senior Eli Booth, 6-1, 6-0.

GA had some changes at doubles for the Penn Charter rematch, but not in the first flight. Juniors Dylan Jeck and Zack Kotik played together for the Patriots as usual, but here they were overpowered, 6-0, 6-0, by PC senior Joshua John and sophomore Justin Cockerham.

Farther down the ladder, an illness and an absence broke up Germantown Academy's regular second and fourth doubles tandems.

Since junior Luca Diem and freshman Chase Goldoor were used to playing with one another, they were moved from their regular third doubles spot to the second flight. This worked out for the Patriots in the end, as these two pulled out a three-set contest against Quakers junior Jerome Gantz and freshman Grant Roshkoff. The scores were 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 for GA.

On the other hand, the GA athletes positioned at fourth doubles, sophomore Joseph Richards and junior Ryan Gelman, don't regularly play in varsity matches. They fell prey to senior Will Lubowitz and sophomore Eric Liriano of the home side, 6-0, 6-1.
Late in the day, the overall team score was 3-3.

Patriots junior Kwabena Ampomah and senior Sam Fortunato play varsity doubles routinely, but in different flights. Last Friday they were edged in the first set, 6-7 (5), by senior Sam Stedman and junior Dylan Goldberger of the Quakers. The newly-paired Patriots rebounded to win the second round, 6-2. The final verdict favored the PC players, who carried set three, 6-4, to help the Quakers wrap up the team victory.