With a roster dominated by underclassmen and first-time players, the Gettysburg Area High School boys tennis program has focused this season on building a strong foundation through development, resilience, and team culture. Under the direction of head coach Matthew Mehler, the program is emphasizing long-term development, both on and off the court.
Mehler, who leads both the boys and girls teams, brings deep tennis knowledge and perspective to the program. With over 25 years of coaching experience, Mehler has coached alongside former professional players, including those who’ve competed at Wimbledon and on the international circuit. “I’ve coached under some pretty high-level players who have given me a lot of background in the game and I have learned a little bit of something from every coach I’ve worked under,” Mehler said. “I try to implement it with my team here.”
This season, implementation has meant adapting that experience for a group made up largely of beginners as sixty-five percent of the team are first years. For many, this team acts as their introduction to the sport, where “many of them are playing tennis for the first time.” This has shifted Mehler’s focus toward building fundamentals from the ground up. “Tennis is a nuanced game—there’s many, many levels to it,” he said. “So, I try to break it down for them where they can learn in steps.” He also remains committed to staying up to date on changes in technique, adapting how he teaches the game to match modern trends while still making it accessible for beginners.
From the beginning of the season to now, Mehler has already seen growth. Among other elements to the game “the guys have improved a lot as far as their strokes,” he said. Although Mehler acknowledges that converting that into wins acts as the team’s “next hurdle,” that steady progression is exactly what Mehler is all about in this match cycle. For him, coaching is less about immediate outcomes and more about instilling values that extend far beyond the court.
This philosophy is grounded in three main pillars: hard work, positivity, and sportsmanship. On the micro level, Mehler’s overriding goal for the team is to work hard and have fun each day. “The macro is: at the end of their time here, I want them to have a passion for tennis, where they want to go out and make themselves better,” he stated.
It’s a mindset rooted in personal accountability and internal motivation—something Mehler views as essential to lasting athletic growth. “Because, from my experience, that’s really how true athleticism is made,” he said. “That hard work has to come from within. And here, I try to ignite that fire to get better.”
Whether players win or lose, Mehler wants them to carry themselves with dignity and resilience, simultaneously showing respect to their teammates and opponents. “Even at the pro level, you learn more from losses than your wins,” he tells them. More importantly, he encourages his players to reframe the game even when results are tough. “I tell them to reemphasize the good shots and celebrate them,” he said. “Don’t just mourn your bad shots.”
For Mehler, the most rewarding moments often come not from the final score, but from seeing players execute something they’ve been working on in practice. Whether it’s a clean forehand cross-court or a confident shot down the line, those flashes of execution in match play are what stand out. “They didn’t win the match,” he said of a recent performance against Red Lion Area Senior High School, “but it’s moments like that that give you hope… if they can stick at it, you’ll get good results.”
Creating a positive and supportive environment is central to Mehler’s approach. “When the kids come, they feel safe, they feel like they’re not going to be overly judged,” he explains. “This is just a time for them to enjoy each other. That camaraderie is important. He says the team brings that to life daily through shared moments of connection—on and off the court. “They have a lot of laughs and fun,” Mehler said.
Mehler views tennis as more than just a sport—it’s a tool for life. Whether his players continue competing after high school or not, he hopes they take with them a sense of discipline, accountability, and self-motivation. “It certainly was a thing for me and what sports taught me,” he said. “If I work hard at this, I’m going to get better. And if I have a good positive attitude, and don’t be negative, I’ll really improve.” He already sees those lessons playing out in his team today. “A lot of life is showing up, and they’ve been showing up,” Mehler said. “They are a great bunch of kids, and they show up for practice everyday with a good attitude.”
As for whether any of his players plan to continue the sport beyond high school, Mehlner said the focus isn’t solely on college tennis but rather on staying connected to the game in the long run. “I think too often in this sport, it’s based on what you do in high school, whether you continue playing or not,” he said. “The beauty of tennis is that you need one person, a buddy, and a $4 can of tennis balls to get a good workout in.”
That inner drive he works to spark in each player—the fire to get better—isn’t just about their current season. Mehlner hopes it fuels a lifelong passion. “Whether you play in college or not, keep playing—and you can get so much better as you get older,” he said.
As the season continues, Gettysburg’s boys tennis team may still be chasing results on the scoreboard, but under Mehlner’s leadership, they’re already winning in ways that matter most—by learning the game, supporting each other, and developing a passion that could last well beyond high school.
In a sport defined by both patience and precision, this year’s team is laying the groundwork for something bigger than one season. With a positive culture, a coach invested in their growth, and a willingness to show up and improve, these players are building a future in the game.
Elise Fox, intern, is a student-athlete at Gettysburg College majoring in Business, Organizations, & Management and minoring in Data Science and Cinema & Media Studies
Great article Elise!! Tennis is a wonderful sport for life. I’ve been playing nearly 60 years!