Mars Fightin’ Planets Boys Varsity Tennis – A Young Talented Team

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The Mars boys tennis team may be young, but under head coach Chris Knauff, the Fightin’ Planets are building something deeper than wins—discipline, resilience, and a team-first culture.

Coach Knauff is a former Mars alum, tennis and soccer player, who graduated in 1999. He understands what it is like to put on the Fightin’ Planet jersey. Representing the school in not only a mentally demanding individual sport like tennis, but also in a physically demanding sport like soccer.

Coach Mark Varlotta is the boys assistant and the girls head coach.

As a business education teacher, coach Knauff leans on his experience to help guide and teach his players to handle the mental challenges of the game.

“I talk to the players about pressure situations, soft skills and having emotional intelligence,” explained coach Chris Knauff. “Tennis has a lot of ups and downs and can be a mentally challenging game. I coach the players to not be tight, but to be aggressive.”

With 19 years of experience coaching two completely different sports, the coaching title and how to build a team is not new to coach Knauff.

Building a strong team culture is priority for coach Knauff.

The Mars Boys Tennis Team consists of three seniors, six juniors, one sophomore and six freshmen.

Roster Breakdown
The team includes:

• Seniors Conner Liu, Cal Jonson and Jaxon Hittle
• Juniors: Max Palmiero, Luke Bowser, Matthew Myers, Max Repko, Liam Duerring and Peter Wells
• Sophomore Mahin Ugle
• Freshmen Joseph Bowser, Klay Funovits, Martin Luke, Aarya Raut, Tripp Santora and Zirnsak Jude.

Even though his tennis team is built with individual athletes, coach Knauff builds his team’s culture through playing a lot against each other, encouraging each other and working on honing their individual skills.

He has built his team on encouragement, hard work and camaraderie.

“I love the idea of team and encourage the players to root for each other during matches,” he said Knauff.

This is his 14^th year as a head coach of the Mars Boys Tennis Team. He was an assistant coach for five years.

After coaching Mars Boys soccer for 19 seasons and earning 300 victories, he stepped away at the end of last season. Going into last year, he knew that last season would be his last.

“There are family commitments that I want to be a part of,” he said after his 300^th win.

Players To Watch

Three seniors on the Fightin’ Planets are Jaxon Hittle, Callahan Johnson and Conner Liu.

Two members of the Mars Boys Varsity Tennis Team competed in the 2026 WPIAL Class 3A Boys Varsity Tennis Doubles Championships. The doubles team that consisted of seniors Jaxon Hittle and Callahan ‘Cal’ Johnson competed in the first round and placed third. The doubles team lost to Franklin Regional in the next round.

The North Allegheny and South Park pairs claimed Gold at the 2026 WPIAL Boys’ Tennis Doubles Championships.

The third senior Conner Liu understands situational tennis and displays good footwork with a strong forehand.

Emphasis on Athleticism

Coach Knauff encourages his student athletes to play different sports. Looking around the tennis court, he pointed out players who also play baseball, soccer and lacrosse.

“Multi-sport athletes tend to be able to perform better using balance and footwork from other sports,” Coach Knauff explained.

His message to his student athletes is to be able to operate under pressure, be aggressive, encourage each other and have fun.

“It is a pleasure to coach this team,” Coach Knauff stated.

Speaking with coach Knauff it was apparent that no matter what skill level his athletes possess, he had multiple things that he works with them on, such as balance, footwork, cardio and ball spin to name a few.

“Ball spin is very important for the more advanced players,” coach Knauff explained.

Spin is the rotation of the ball when struck. Advanced players create either backspin or topspin. Topspin is a forward rotation of the ball caused by hitting it from low to high. Backspin is created by swinging the racquet from high to low by brushing under the ball with the open racquet face.

His players focus on opponents’ tendencies like net approach, backhand or forehand usage.

“Working with each player on what each of them needs is consistently my focus at each practice.” Explained Coach Knauff. “We play a lot and work on individual skills.”

Building Team Through Competition

At practice coach Knauff has the players competing against each other a lot, pulling them aside to work on their individual skills then plugging them back in to work on those skills.

“I love the whole idea of team,” explained coach Knauff. “It allows each player to compete but support each other during matches.”

“We encourage friendly competition between the upper and lower classmen that is built on encouragement.” Coach Knauff explained.

It is very apparent that with coach Chris Knauff at the helm the Mars Boys Tennis Team is not only competitive but a close-knit unit that gives the fans plenty of reasons to follow the team.

Other Mars Sports Recap

Mars Mascot Advances to National Championship

The Mars Fightin’ Planets mascot is heading to the national championship round in a 64-team, NCAA-style bracket competition to determine the best high school mascot in the country.

Seeded No. 14, Mars advanced through the bracket with a decisive win over Willingboro (N.J.) in the Final Four.

The Fightin’ Planet will now face Boiling Springs in an all-Pennsylvania championship matchup.

Created just three years ago by the Mars Cheer Boosters through a community fundraiser, the mascot has quickly become a unifying symbol for the district.

“It’s been incredible to see the entire Mars community rally behind the Fightin’ Planet,” said Courtenay Carel, who helped design the mascot. “We’re excited for the opportunity and think we have a great chance to win.”

Mars Fightin’ Planets Boys Lacrosse on the right track

The Mars Fightin’ Planets Boys Lacrosse continue to win games down the stretch.

The Fightin’ Planets beat North Catholic 21-4.

In a return to form total team effort, Mars dominated North Catholic from the opening face-off.

In the lopsided victory, Junior Camden Kleba recorded his 100^th faceoff win and Freshman Nate Caldwell scored four goals.

Against the Trojans, Zach Berger scored his first ever varsity goal.

“Nate Caldwell continues to contribute in a big way as a freshman,” explained assistant coach Kyle Savage.

On Thursday April 23^rd, the Mars community showed up for the teams annual ‘Play for the Brave’ and ‘Youth Night’ matchup against the Shaler Titans.

John Monahan, Shaler’s head coach, has been working to improve their program and has developed some good lacrosse players.

Shaler freshman goaltender, Tyler Messina, saw about 60 shots from a multitude of Mars players, especially in the second half, in the 16-3 loss.

“Their freshman goalie played really well in net for them,” explained Savage. “We shelled him pretty good especially in the second half. He saw a lot of rubber.”

Against the Titans, Mars freshman Nate Caldwell led all goal scorers with seven goals.

Although Mars started out the game slow, they turned it on in the second half.

“Chase Lamm was flying around causing turnovers all over the field,” explained assistant coach Matt Grus.

Mars junior goalie, Luke Reinhart, secured the victory with a second half shutout.

“Grant Weaver, Chase Lamm and Nate Caldwell had great performances for us, especially in the second half.” Kyle Savage explained.

All proceeds from the ‘Play for the Brave’ night were donated to “It’s About The Warrior.” (www.IATW.us)

The mission of “It’s About The Warrior Foundation” is to assist and empower ALL post 9/11 veterans and their families from the Tristate Area.

If you were unable to attend the game, you can still donate: Venmo @MarsLacrosseBoosters – Put IATW in the Memo!

“Play for the brave is always a special night for us and I’m so glad that we do it,” explained coach Savage. “It’s an outstanding way for us to give back to a very important group not just for our community but for our country.”

The Fightin’ Planets are making positive strides on both sides of the field. They are controlling the ball and maintaining a strong, balanced attack.

Upcoming Mars Boys Lacrosse Schedule

The Mars Fightin’ Planets have two games on the schedule for this coming week.

They are at home at the Mars Athletic Complex on Monday April 27^th versus Quaker Valley High School at 6:30 PM.

Later in the week, on Friday May 1^st the Fightin’ Planets will travel down the road to face Sewickley Academy at Nichols Field in Sewickley, PA at 4:30 PM.

Mars Lady Planets Girls Lacrosse Team ‘As One’

The Mars Lady Planets Girls Lacrosse team continues to dominate opponents in the WPIAL by playing unselfish team ball.

The Lady Planets play consistent tough defense, while displaying unselfish team scoring on attack.

Every conversation that I have had with coaches and players the ‘As One’ team philosophy is mentioned.

Head Coach Abby Latona has built a strong reputation culture at Mars for building a girls varsity lacrosse team that is known for a culture of unity, positivity, and a high-level of performance.

In 2023, she was named the “Most Positive” coach for the Western Pennsylvania Positive Athlete and was named the 2023 US Lacrosse Western PA Coach of the Year.

“I’ve tried to bring the sense of team and comradery that I learned from playing in a tough high school lacrosse environment back east at Lancaster,” explained Abby Latona.

She played her collegiate lacrosse at the Division III level Shenandoah University in Virginia.

Coach Latona’s goal is to grow the game of girls’ lacrosse in the Pittsburgh area to an elite level through competitive practices that challenge the girls with constant growth of their lacrosse IQ.

Her philosophy focuses on an “Attack Mentality”, tough rigorous competitive practices, and the constant fostering of a strong, positive team culture.

“Preparation, competition, and the love of the game in a supportive fun environment is key for me,” explained coach Latona. “I want these girls to have the mindset that they can accomplish anything.”

“We have a fun group, that supports each other, and have a sisterhood,” explained assistant coach Naomi Grus.

“We lean on each other and are constantly communicating on and off the field,” explained Ella DePaoli.

Rolling Right Along

On Thursday April 23^rd the Lady Planets thumped the Blackhawk Lady Cougars in an away conference game by a score of 21-0.

Mars had seven goal scorers and were led by junior captain Hailey Long who poured in seven goals. Fellow junior Katie Blake displayed her quick first step to contribute five goals to the cause.

The rest of Lady Planets goal scorers were Anna McGrath and Ella DePaoli with three goals each. Tess McGrath, Lola Seideneck and Reese Polito had a goal apiece in the victory.

Community Involvement

The Lady Planets are not only representing the Mars community on the field but positively represent them off the field as well.

They hosted a “Play for a Cause & Youth Night” charity game against Pine-Richland on Friday, April 17th at the Mars Athletic Complex, which featured a huge 10-6 Mars win.

The event supported breast cancer research with all proceeds going to MetaVivor.

MetaVivor focuses exclusively on stage IV metastatic breast cancer to improve the lives of people living with MBC by funding research, advancing federal policies through advocacy, and facilitating a community of peer-to-peer support.

The Lady Planets raised over $10,000 for the charity.

If you could not attend, you can still donate: Venmo @MarsLacrosseBoosters Put “Youth Night” in the memo.

“It is very important to me to emphasize service and giving back to the community that has given so much to me and my family,” explained head coach Abby Latona. “I’m very proud of our community.”

Mars Girls Lacrosse Upcoming Schedule

The upcoming schedule for the Lady Planets this week consists of three games in five days.

The first of which will be a road game against Aquinas Academy at 4:00 PM at the North Park Sports Complex in Allison Park.

Thursday April 30th the Lady Fightin’ Planets will be back at home at the MAC to face Freeport Area High School at 4:00 PM.

Finally, they will close out the week on Friday May 1^st at Mount Lebanon High School at 6:00 PM.

Mars Fightin’ Planets Coed Track and Field

At the MAC invitational, Mars coed track and field had a great day. Underclassmen shined.

Sophomore James Watenpool won two individual 5^th place medals in the 110-meter hurdles (15.69) and the 300-meter hurdles (41.9).

Sophomore Emma Bloom took 4^th place in the 110-meter hurdles (15.84).

Freshman Carly McKenna took 4^th in the 400-meter (61.05).

Junior Aiden Gloystein took 6^th place in the 3200-meter.

Senior Colton Rearick took 4^th place in the 1600-meter.

Sophomore Jackson Everhart finished in 5^th place in the triple jump.

Senior Riley Carel and sophomore Kohlee Edwards tied for 4^th place in the pole vault tying for the Mars School record by soaring over the crossbar at 9 feet, 8 inches, both topping the previous record set by Edwards on April 16^th. Prior to that, Carel held the girl’s pole vault record at 9 feet, 6 inches.

In the boys 4×800 relay, senior Colton Rearick, junior Sam Argotti, senior Hudson Shipler and sophomore Grady Knauf took 5^th place.

And finally in the girl’s 4×400 relay, freshman Carly Mckenna, junior Harper Hirth, junior Julia Siket and freshman Audrey Lyker finished in 3^rd place.

Upcoming Mars Track and Field Schedule

Tuesday April 28^th, TBA WPIAL Team Semi-Finals.

Friday May 1^st at 10:00 AM at Pine-Richland High School.