BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

Allentown High School’s Melissa Gilanchi, 14, of Millstone Township, took third place in second singles at the Mercer County Tennis Tournament and proudly displays numerous tennis trophies and medals that she has won throughout the past 10 years. ALLENTOWN — The high school just made history.

For the first time ever, AHS had a player in the finals of the Mercer County tennis tournament. Melissa Gilanchi, of Millstone, took third place for second singles at the tournament, held the first week of October at Mercer County Park in West Windsor.

“I received a medal,” said 14-year-old Gilanchi, a freshman at AHS. “I was happy to take third because all of the people that beat me were older.”

PHOTOSBYJENNIFER KOHLHEPP Every high school in Mercer County, both public and private, participated in the tournament. To earn the medal, Gilanchi played 16 rounds of tennis. Out of the four matches in the finals, she said, she only lost once.

Gilanchi has played tennis for more than 10 years.

“I tried the sport when I was 4 years old as a hobby and just fell in love with it,” she said. “Tennis became something huge for me, and now I can’t live without it.”

Gilanchi plays tennis year-round on a daily basis, excluding Sundays. Saturdays present her with the most intense workout, as she practices from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“I have a racket almost 24/7,” Gilanchi said. “I can’t even go away on vacation without it.”

Gilanchi, who over the years has accumulated a large shelf filled with tennis trophies, said she enjoys the competitive aspect of the sport the most.

“Over the years, I’ve competed in many United States Tennis Association (USTA) tournaments,” Gilanchi said. “I’ve gotten into the finals and won many of them.”

In the most recent USTA tournament Gilanchi played in, she ranked USTA/Eastern Sectional 61 out of 150 players, her best ranking yet, she said.

The only drawback Gilanchi sees about playing tennis is losing to someone she knows she can beat.

“That’s when we drive home in complete silence,” she said.

Overall, Gilanchi enjoys the benefits of playing. The sport keeps her physically fit, she said, and also conveniently provides an additional outlet for conversation, as she loves to talk.

“It’s such a social sport,” Gilanchi said. “You meet all different kinds of people on the courts.”

She currently plays varsity tennis at AHS, where she is coached by Denise Waddams. At press time, the team’s record was 6-1. Gilanchi, who plays singles, has earned a record of 7-0.

When asked what skills she thinks she possesses that give her an edge over her competition, Gilanchi said, “You have to have terrific hand-eye coordination, [and] quick feet, too.

“Most of all,” she said, “you have to be mentally strong to play.”

To develop her talent, Gilanchi trains at the East Brunswick Racquet Club with coaches Vinny Granito and Dan Dumpel.

“They support me all the way,” Gilanchi said of Granito and Dumpel. “They’re always there to give me a confidence boost.

“They believe in me,” she added, “and they have become like family.”

Gilanchi said the club is like a second home to her.

“I’m there nights,” she said, “and every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.”

On the advice of Granito, Gilanchi recently started seeking corporate sponsorship.

“Vinny told me I should look into sponsorship, so I started sending out applications to different companies,” Gilanchi said.

This year, Gilanchi celebrated another sweet success in her tennis career, she said, when Prince Sports, based out of Bordentown, decided to sponsor her.

“It’s a really big accomplishment for me,” she said. “The company gives me discounts on all of my equipment, rackets, clothes, grips and strings.”

Gilanchi’s dream is to take her love for tennis to college and to attend and play for Princeton University in Princeton.

Her parents, Aida and Rich, fully support their daughter and her dream.

“I’ve watched her go from learning to balance a ball on the racket to acing an opponent,” her mother said. “I see what her goal is, and as long as school remains her No. 1 priority, I’ll support her all the way.”