Elligets propelling Panthers

The Post and Courier

JT Elliget (left), Adam Elliget (right)

SUMMERVILLE — Pinewood Prep tennis coach Heinz Maurer thought the Panthers might be in for a rebuilding year.

But then sixth-grader Adam Elliget's arrival on the varsity provided an instant spark, even inspiring his freshman brother JT Elliget to new heights. Between them, the Elliget boys have not tasted defeat often this spring.

In fact, Adam Elliget is unbeaten in both singles and doubles and that has landed him a berth on the SCISA all-state team. And, all of a sudden, Pinewood Prep appears to be a solid favorite to retain its SCISA Class AAA state boys' crown. The upper bracket top-seeded Panthers take a 15-3 record into today's 3:30 p.m. state semifinal against Columbia's Hammond School (12-4) at the Pinewood courts.

The good news, Pinewood Prep has already beaten Hammond twice this year (7-2 and 6-3).

"Hammond is a very good team," said SCISA coach of the year Maurer. "We can't be too confident, even though we beat them twice. We split singles with them the second time and won all of the doubles."

Maurer is a bit surprised by the Panthers' success after losing Nos. 1 and 2 Jeremiah Dye and Trey Bessent to graduation from last year's championship team, and then young No. 4 Zac Dye transferred to Berkeley.

"I thought this was going to be a rebuilding year, but Adam, JT and William Wert stepped up this year (in the last three positions)," Maurer said.

"William Wert went from No. 10 last year up to No. 6 and he has the second-highest winning record on the team (to No. 5 Adam Elliget).

"Adam went undefeated in both singles and doubles, and I can't remember coaching a boy or girl who's done that."

Adam's most memorable match of the season came against a larger opponent who didn't like losing to a younger kid, especially one so small.

"I wouldn't walk to the bench ... he was so mad I was afraid he was going to beat me up," Adam Elliget said.

His father, Pinewood assistant coach Jim Elliget, added, "I couldn't figure out what was going on. Adam wouldn't go to the bench and drink his water. He would walk all the way around the other net post."

Adam likes his chances today since he won both of his matches at No. 5 against Hammond. He also plays No. 3 doubles with senior captain Scott Hayes.