To compete in the PIAA State Tennis Championships as a sophomore in high school can be overwhelming, but to win a state bronze medal shows that focusing on your game, no matter what your age, can lead to success, as was the case with Freedom's Andrew Sinai.

The Patriots' number one singles player proved to be the third best tennis player in Pennsylvania after defeating Mount Lebanon's Peter Hazlett, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, in Sinai's last match of the tournament on May 25 at Hershey Racquet Club.

"It was a lot of pressure because I wanted to end the season on a high note. I had a tough match in the morning, but I really wanted to win that [final match], and I did that through focusing and playing my match," said Sinai.

Earlier in the day, Sinai was defeated in the semifinal by Central Catholic of Pittsburgh's Adam Blasinsky. (No scores available.)

"I got beat pretty bad," Sinai said.

The pivotal match for Sinai, however, proved to be his quarterfinal victory over Conestoga's Brian Grodecki, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

"That was the most important match of the tournament. I was down the whole time, but I was able to get through it. Once I got through the second set, I really believed I could be there," said Sinai.

There were times when Sinai had his doubts.

"I kind of felt like I was in over my head. A lot of things were happening at once, but my coach [Jeff Young] helped me and kept me in there. I did better than I thought," he said.

Sinai's first-round match was the kind of match to which he had become accustomed, defeating Obama Academy's Micah Byrum, 6-0, 6-0.

"Going into the season, I just wanted to have a perfect season in the LVC and the area. My main goal was to win districts. States was just an extra thing on the end there. It was a great first experience there," said Sinai.

When considering the fact that Sinai has two more years to become a state champion, the Freedom sophomore knows he has plenty of time for that.

"For now, I just want to become a better tennis player," he said.