Mahaffey twin brothers strike state doubles gold
Aidan and Tyler Mahaffey found something else they have in common on Saturday.
In addition to being identical twin brothers and superb tennis players, the Palmyra sophomores also now share a state doubles championship.
They made it so Saturday afternoon with a 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) win over another set of identical twins, Abhiraj Srivastava and Abhineet Srivastava of Downingtown East in the title match at Hershey Racquet Club. Third place went to Hayden Coons and Danny Wu of Dallastown, who bounced back from a semifinal loss to the Srivastavas to win the consolation match.
Quarterfinalists a year ago, the Mahaffeys effectively surpassed that finish with a pair of straight-set wins on Friday, then gained their title shot with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph over the Shady Side Academy duo of David Mnuskin and Seth Bitzer Saturday morning.
The Mahaffeys then played some of the best tennis of their careers by jumping out to a commanding 6-1, 4-2 lead before the Downingtown East twins gamely rallied to force a tiebreaker. The Palmyra twins would ultimately prevail when Tyler nailed a serve and Aidan jumped on the return and punched it into the open court on match point.
"It feels really good," Tyler said. "It's a goal we've been working on the whole year, so we're pretty happy."
"It means a lot. It's been a big goal since we came here years ago, watching," Aidan said. "I always thought we'd be here. It really is a big dream come true."
For the entire Mahaffey tennis clan, which also includes mom and Palmyra head coach Abbie and dad and assistant coach Keith, themselves both former players.
"It's hard to express just how proud of the boys we are - they lost in the quarterfinals of states last year, walked out the door and said we can do better," Abbie said. "And that has been their goal/motivation this year. To see them reach their goal after seeing all of their hard work, time, and dedication is all you can ask for your kids....as coaches and as parents."
Although they could have made thing easier on their parents by putting the match away more quickly after dashing to a 4-2 second-set lead. But credit for that must go to the Srivstavaas for that, as they doggedly forced the Mahaffeys into a tiebreaker before finally succumbing.
"We knew they weren't going to roll over," Tyler said. "Because it's the state championship and we knew they were better than how they played in the first set and they would come back strong."
"Not going to lie, I was feeling okay when they were up 6-1, 4-2...The Srvistavaas are good doubles players, I would never count them out and they showed that today at that point," Abbie said. "I got a little nervous when they started coming back, but to see the boys fight through it and bring it back to 5-5 and then 6-6 and then their play in the tie breaker......that's part of what you train for. They've made us all so proud. I don't know if there's another word to describe it, that's the only thing I can keep saying!"
They also made their legion of supporters -who seemed to grow in size and intensity as the tournament on - quite proud as well.
"That support was a part of their success- in those moments where things can go the wrong way, when things get tough in a match, having that support and encouragement and know you're playing for your school, your community, your friends and family, it's a difference maker in the mental side of the game," Abbie said. "As a parent, to see so many people who care about your kids and want to see them do well, I feel so blessed."
This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Mahaffey twin brothers strike state doubles gold
