Freedom boys tennis Potts wins district title, follows in fathers footsteps – lehighvalleylive.com

Freedom boys tennis coach Matt Potts won the District 11 singles championship his senior year at Liberty High School.

Now, 29 years later, Potts got to watch his son, Freedom sophomore Noah Potts, win the district Class 3A championship.

Top-seeded Potts posted a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Parkland junior Dan Zolatarev on Wednesday afternoon at Parkland High School.

Its amazing, the Freedom coach said. Its a neat thing for me. I can remember chasing this goal when I was back in high school with my dad. Pretty awesome. Pretty awesome thing.

The sophomore had other things on his mind on Wednesday, like winning the district gold.

I was more focused on myself winning than anything, Potts said.

After the first set was tied 2-2, Potts won four of the final five games to clinch the 6-3 win.

The second set was all Potts as he swept the Parkland player in straight games.

As soon as I went up 3-0, I knew I was in control, Potts said.

The younger Potts enjoys being coached by his dad, but admits its not always easy.

Its frustrating at times to have your dad coach you, but its nice, Potts said.

The Freedom sophomore defeated fourth-seeded John Willis of Stroudsburg 6-2, 6-4 on Wednesday morning in the semifinals.

Zolatarev, the seventh seed, posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Southern Lehighs Spencer Goodman in the semifinals.

Potts advances to the state tournament and will play the fourth-place finisher out of District 1 in the first round on May 28.

Matt Potts, who is also the Northwood Racquet Club Tennis Director, said his son definitely earned this championship.

In the last 16 months, he has dedicated himself and worked really hard, the Freedom coach said. Its one of those things. When he earns it, you really want him to win. He put in the time and worked hard. So, definitely a little bit nerve-racking. Its nerve-racking watching all of our players. But obviously for districts, watching your son, its nerve-racking.

On Wednesday, Potts bounced back from a loss to Libertys Anthony Ronca in the semifinals of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference tournament on Friday.

I knew in EPCs when I lost, I just wasnt hitting the ball well, Potts said. And I knew if I just came out and was aggressive, hit the ball heavy, hit the ball in. And run people around, finish forward, I knew Id have a good shot at winning.

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Josh Folck may be reached at jfolck@lehighvalleylive.com.

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Freedom boys tennis Potts wins district title, follows in fathers footsteps - lehighvalleylive.com