Heading into the District 11 Class 2A singles tournament, Moravian Academy’s Daniel Elmi had a season record of 0-2 against the tournament’s top-seeded player, Tej Laliwala of Saucon Valley.
Moravian Academy coach Tom Schoeninger describes his top player as the ultimate competitor, an attribute that was certainly on display when Elmi met Laliwala in the district championship match.
Elmi, a senior, thrived in the limelight and defeated his local rival 7-6 (5), 6-0 to win gold and advance to the PIAA singles tournament. At states, Elmi fell in the first round to Windber Area’s Matthew Kozar, 6-3, 6-1.
Following an outstanding season, Elmi is The Morning Call boys tennis singles player of the year.
District 11 Class 3A singles champion Sean Jaeger of Emmaus was also heavily considered for the award.
“Daniel loves to compete, and to compete at the highest level,” Schoeninger said. “He lost to the Saucon Valley kid in the season and at the Colonial League tournament, but he prevailed when it really counted. He knows how to win.”
Elmi also played the daunting role as the Lions’ No. 1 singles player, competing against the best players from around the state. Once again, Elmi was up for the task.
In the first round of the team tournament, Elmi knocked off Camp Hill’s best player, Spencer Landis (6-2, 6-2), to lead the Lions to a 3-1 victory and another trip to Hershey. Elmi was also victorious in the team quarterfinals against Fairview. In that round, Elmi dispatched fellow state singles qualifier Jake Geiger, 6-3, 6-4, as the Lions won 3-0.
Elmi, who is also a Colonial League all-star goalie in soccer, heads to Lafayette College.
“Daniel did absolutely great this season. He’s a good leader and a nice kid. A gentleman on the court,” Schoeninger said. “He was the last guy standing the year we won a state team title. He had to hit three overheads in a row to win the point, and win the team title for us. Just a great kid.”
Elmi said, “Coming into the season, I just got though a heartbreaking end to our soccer season. We lost in states. It wasn’t until after I realized how much I was going to miss it, and with my final tennis season approaching, I wanted to enjoy it. I wanted to work hard to win, and enjoy every second of it.”
Dante Terenzio is a freelance writer.
