Even though he was a freshman and played the No. 2 singles position on his team, Chris Stone went into the District 11 singles tennis championships knowing he could beat anyone in the event.

He was slotted as the no. 5 seed, but he was familiar with all the players seeded ahead of him and confident he could beat them.

He did just that, taking down the tournament’s No. 1, 2 and 4 seeds in the final three rounds to earn this year’s district title.

“It felt really good,” Stone said. “I was super happy. It’s what we worked for all season.”

After a 6-1, 6-0 win over Freedom’s Matt Davis in the first round last Monday, Stone battled through a long quarterfinal match before taking out No. 4 seed Daniel Trott (Pocono Mountain East) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 to earn his place in the semi.

“Overcoming that tough match,” said Emmaus head coach Fred Saab, “gave him confidence going into the next day that he can just swing away and play aggressive and he can overcome whatever challenges that come toward him. [Trott] is a good player and it was a good test. Chris really showed his strength in pulling that match out.”

In the semifinals Stone took down top seeded Noah Rodburg of Freedom 6-2, 6-4. Then he beat second-seeded Gideon Knowles (Nazareth) in the title match, 6-3, 6-3.

“I was just going big on my first and second serve,” Stone said of his semifinal and final wins. “My forehand was really sticking and so was my slice.

“I had max confidence going into it. I knew I was the youngest kid there, didn’t have anything to lose. I was playing older kids throughout the entire tournament.”

Stone, along with his older brother Nick, train with Rodburg ad Knowles at Northwood Racket Club in Easton, and Chris Stone said any of the four can beat any of the others on a given day.

“It’s always close.,” he said. “Depending on the day. I guess I just had the better day [at districts].”

He advances to the state championship tournament later this month.

“I feel like I have to play my game,” said Chris Stone. “I don’t care who I play. I’m a freshman. I have nothing to lose. Just go out there and play big, train hard.”

“I’m really excited to see the next three years,” said Saab. “His game is only going to improve. That’s the way he is. I’m sure he’s ecstatic over the win but he’s not going to become complacent. I’m excited to see how far he can go plus the rest of the team.”

The district tournament was nearly a family affair as Nick Stone, a junior who played at the top singles position for Emmaus this season, was the No. 3 seed for districts and reached the semifinals before falling to Knowles 6-3, 6-1.

With the Stones atop the line up, Emmaus went 15-3 overall and 13-2 in the East Penn Conference in 2024.

They earned the No. 3 seed for the district team tournament and dispatched of Northampton 3-1 Monday to advance to Tuesday’s semifinals against No. 2 Parkland.

“It was amazing,” Saab said of the team’s performance. “I’m so proud of them. It was really strong. So much improved over last year. That’s great to see when we can improve every year.

“Everybody supported everybody. No matter what position they are in, that point is a point toward a team win and the goal is to win your match.”

While the Hornets were strong at the top of the lineup, the team also benefited from the leadership of six seniors, four of which were regulars in the starting line up.

Seniors Ryan Baig and Ben Fletcher have been part of the team for all four years of high school, while classmates Sarvesh Senguttavan and Quaid Peatiwala have been on the team the past three season. Senior Josh Haas and Ahmad Naveed have been part of the team the past two seasons.