CRANBERRY TWP — From dormant to dominant.

Such is the story of the North Catholic High School boys tennis team — and junior sensation Nicolas Scheller.

The Trojans decided to bring their boys tennis program back in 2020, more than 30 years since North Catholic fielded a team.

“I had no idea what I was gonna get,” coach Eric Solverson said. “We got in three practices last year before COVID-19 shut everything down, so I still didn't know.”

He knew there was a talented player in the school who had not played in a while.

Scheller planned on playing for the Trojans last year — had there been a season — after having not played for more than two years.

“I didn't know how serious he'd be about tennis (last year),” Solverson admitted. “But I was looking for someone to hit with (No. 1 girls singles player) Reagan Sommariva last fall and asked Nicolas if he would do it.”

A standout youth player in New Mexico, he was ranked among the top 50 nationally in singles, top 30 in doubles as an eighth-grader. His family moved to Pittsburgh in August of 2019.

“I decided to drop my racket at that point,” Scheller said. “It wasn't giving me enough time to be a kid.

“When you're playing at a high level like I was, it ties up a lot of time, with practice, weekend tournaments and all of that. I guess I just felt burned out.

“Even if we had a season at North Catholic last year, I was gonna play ... but I was just gonna play for fun,” Scheller added. “It was fun hitting with Reagan last fall.”

Now he's part of a team having all kinds of fun.

North Catholic boys tennis has returned with a bang.

More like an explosion, actually.

The Trojans are 7-0 on the season, facing a showdown at fellow unbeaten Valley Friday for the section title. North Catholic is 34-1 in individual matches this year, the lone loss being at No. 3 singles against Highlands.

“The thing is, we only have seven players,” Solverson said. “That makes you nervous with all of the COVID stoppages and quarantines out there. But so far, so good.”

Scheller has lost seven total games in eight matches this season. The Wexford resident has yet to lose more than one game in any set. The Trojans' No. 1 singles player won the WPIAL Class 2A boys singles championship, defeating Mike Sirianni of Quaker Valley 6-1, 6-1 in the title match.

“Nicolas has simply been overpowering and overwhelming the competition,” Solverson said.

He may have burned out before. The fire has definitely been re-lit.

Scheller has an uncle, Randolf Scheller, living in Germany who has played Davis Cup tennis for Venezuela. His father was a standout high school tennis player.

Scheller has played junior tournaments in Long Island (N.Y.), Michigan and Ohio already this year. He participated in a tennis clinic as well while elevating his game again.

“I'm a little surprised by how well it's gone, but I'm motivated by the prospects of playing Division 1 college tennis somewhere in Florida,” he said. “That's my dream.”

His Universal Tennis Rating was at 9.8 at age 14. He's got it back up to 9.6 now. If it reaches 10 or 11, Division 1 coaches will be interested, Solverson noted.

“He's like having another coach on the team,” Solverson said. “He helps out our other players, works with them on their strokes.

“Some kids that far above everyone else in skills wouldn't do that, but he's a great kid.”

North Catholic's No. 2 singles player, Brody Golla of Gibsonia, was Vincentian's No. 1 player before that school closed down. The Trojans' No. 3 singles player is Alex Garvey of Wexford.

The No. 1 doubles tandem of Jarron Thompson and Justin Konjul — a senior and freshman — are from Mars, as is the No. 2 doubles tandem of Justin Siket and Kenneth Canavan.

“They've been very effective,” Solverson said of his doubles units. “This season has been so much fun. We're going to make the (WPIAL) playoffs, but these kids want to win the section.

“That match at Valley will determine that.”