History

The Liberty High School tennis program was established in 1924 under the leadership of Mr. J.D. McGann. Initially, it was exclusively a boys’ program. However, in 1930, Ms. Catherine Abernathy introduced an intramural girls' team, allowing female students to compete in annual class-based tournaments. The largest of these tournaments took place in its inaugural year, with 141 girls vying for the "Bethlehem High School" championship.

After a 43-year hiatus, the girls' program was officially reinstated as a competitive team sport in 1973 under the guidance of Ms. Sandy Seidel. She led the team to remarkable success, achieving four consecutive undefeated seasons and securing a District XI title in 1975.

Between 1942 and 1945, Liberty’s boys tennis program was temporarily suspended due to World War II. Following the war, Mr. Sinclair Chiles played a pivotal role in revitalizing the sport by founding the Lehigh Valley Lawn Tennis Association. Working in conjunction with the United States Lawn Tennis Association (the predecessor of today’s USTA), he helped establish the Lehigh Valley League, further cementing the region's competitive tennis landscape.

Throughout its rich 100-year history, Liberty’s tennis program has produced outstanding teams and remarkable individual players. Three coaches—Frank Kernan, Robert Wilson, and Leo Schnalzer—have surpassed the 100-win milestone, with Schnalzer achieving this feat with both the boys’ and girls’ teams. Several coaches have led their teams to district or league championships, including Frank Kernan (Boys), Anthony Donchez (Boys), Robert Wilson (Boys), Leo Schnalzer (Boys), Chris Conrad (Boys), Sandy Seidel (Girls), and Gus Loupos (Girls).

The program's legacy is marked by extraordinary individual and doubles achievements. Below is a comprehensive list of all Liberty boys’ and girls’ district singles and doubles champions.

COMING SOON: A complete record of singles and doubles district and state accomplishments.