Nicolas Scheller

HERSHEY — Since losing a heartbreaking match in the state finals last season, North Catholic senior tennis player Nicolas Scheller has been on a mission.

Mission completed — with an exclamation point.

Scheller cruised through his four matches in the PIAA Class 2A singles tournament over the weekend, capping off his performance with a 6-0, 6-0 decision of District 1 champion Toby Frantz in the championship match Saturday at the Hershey Racquet Club.

“A mission is what this was,” North Catholic coach Eric Solverson said. “That kid (Frantz) is a very good player — he beat the defending state champion in the semifinals — and Nicolas just went right through him. He rolled through everybody.

“I’ve never seen a played more focused, more determined. He just wasn’t gonna lose out here this weekend. This has to be one of the most dominant performances in this tournament’s history.”

Scheller, a Wexford resident and two-time WPIAL champion, defeated three consecutive district champions on his way to the title. He bested District 11 champ Deven Pandey of Saucon Valley 6-0, 6-1 in the quarterfinals Friday, then knocked off District 10 champ Jonah Ng of Cathedral Prep 6-0, 6-2 in the semifinal round Saturday.

“I’ve been waiting a year for this,” Scheller said. “I was definitely on a mission and the scores reflected that.”

Scheller used a hard, accurate serve to control his opponents throughout the weekend.

“That was the key for me,” he said of his serve. “I was able to pinpoint my first serve and that set me up for some easy returns and quick points. It kept me in control of each match.”

Headed to Division II tennis power Belmont Abbey (N.C.), Scheller was a nationally-ranked junior tennis player who walked away from the game in eighth grade. His family relocated to the Pittsburgh area afterwards.

He decided to pick the game up again as a sophomore at North Catholic.

“I think he rediscovered his love for tennis at that point,” Solverson said. “That two-year break did him a lot of good in the long run.”

Scheller is believed to be the first boys tennis state champion in North Catholic history. The school did not have a boys tennis program for nearly 20 years before re-instituting the program recently. This year marked the second full season of North Catholic boys tennis since the program’s return.

“It’s an unreal feeling,” Scheller said of becoming a state champion. “It’s awesome for me. It’s awesome for the school.”

The Trojans’ doubles team of Brody Golla and Alex Garvey advanced to the 2A finals Saturday. They dropped a 6-1, 6-1 decision to Kyle and Tucker Chesman of Dallas, the District 2 champions.

Golla and Garvey dropped their section final match to a duo from Valley High School, “but have been on a roll ever since,” Solverson said.

Golla and Garvey defeated Aravind Turaga and Nathan Kisiel of Fairview, District 10 champions, 6-4, 6-1 in the semifinals to reach the title match.

“We didn’t know what to expect this weekend,” Solverson said of his doubles team. “We figured they’d win their first match, then it was going to be a battle. They played some great tennis against great competition. I’m proud of those guys.”

Scheller echoed those sentiments.

“Those are my boys, my teammates,” he said. “The final didn’t work out the way they wanted, but I know how excited they were to get there. I’m happy for them.”