Tennis runs deep in the Charchalis family. Andrew Charchalis played tennis at Poly and UMBC. His two children, Alex and Katherine Charchalis, each had highly successful careers at Hereford High School.
Both won Baltimore County and regional championships before moving on to play at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania.
Now, younger brother Adrian Charchalis is carrying on the family tradition. The freshman plays No. 1 singles for Hereford.
"I feel everyone in my family has been telling me, 'I have been the best Charchalis to pick up a tennis racquet,'" Adrian said. "I feel pressure to fulfill people's expectations. I definitely felt a lot of pressure to make an impact early this season."
Adrian has handled the expectations well.
The 5-foot-7 Charchalis, who has been playing tennis for a decade, finished as county runner-up at No. 1 singles, then won a regional championship by beating Dulaney senior Andrew Abell, 6-3, 6-3.
That qualified Charchalis for the state tennis tournament at the University of Maryland May 22-23.
"Dulaney's senior beat him at the county tournament, so he did a good job to come back and beat him in the regional final," Hereford first-year tennis coach Hal McVeigh said. "I don't think it happens that often that a freshman wins the regional title."
Charchalis wasn't the only Hereford standout to qualify for the state tournament.
The seniors doubles team of Rudy Ryan and Michael Bienert advanced after finishing as regional runners-up.
Ryan said last year's Hereford doubles team of Katie Chase and Emma Seeley were the only Bulls to play in the state tournament over the last three seasons.
"For the last few years, Hereford has really struggled to get people in both singles and doubles draw through the regions," McVeigh said. "The regionals have been quite tough. To get one of singles and doubles to the state tournament is really awesome."
McVeigh, who teaches tennis at Hunt Valley Golf Club, raves about the season Charchalis has had, posting a 12-2 record.
"His composure in tough positions is very, very strong," McVeigh said. "He doesn't lose his nerve in tough points. In the regional tournament, the closer match was the semifinal against Josh Schnitzer from Pikesville. Adrian lost the first set and was down in the second set, but he came back to win."
McVeigh said the experience of competing against top-notch players at the state tournament will benefit Charchalis.
"It will be good for him to go to a tournament where the whole bracket is filled with people as good as him," McVeigh said. "He will be playing against opponents from around the state with different styles that he didn't see during the regular season."
Charchalis added: "There's definitely some experienced players who know what to expect from a freshman, but I should come out quickly and surprise."
Ryan and Michael Bienert never played doubles together until the regional tournament earlier this month.
Bienert's doubles partner this season was junior Nick Nelson, and the duo won a county championship and went 12-0.
But McVeigh and his doubles players decided Ryan and Bienert would be paired for the regional tournament.
"He (Ryan) wanted to play with Michael (to end) his senior year," McVeigh said. "They have been good friends for a while. We thought they would have a shot at doing pretty well."
Towson's doubles team of senior Cameron White and junior Rui Fu outlasted Ryan and Bienert for the regional title, winning, 2-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6.
Now, the Hereford doubles team is gearing up for the state tournament.
"Once you get to the state tournament, the competition is much more difficult," Ryan said. "There's a lot of year-round players."
Bienert is cautiously optimistic.
"I would like to win, but it will be difficult," he said. "I think we have a shot. We definitely have to play our best. We can't make unforced errors."