BETHLEHEM - Justin Sebelin didn’t discover tennis right away.

But the Palmerton senior is certainly glad he did.

Sebelin advanced to the second round of the District 11 Class 2A individual tournament on Monday. And though his run ended there, it was a success Sebelin savored.

“I started last year, so I’m pretty new to the game,” Sebelin said of his tennis career. “I’m just happy to be here.”

Sebelin certainly made his presence felt at Lehigh University’s Ulrich Courts.

Trailing 5-3 in the first set against Salisbury’s Nolan Gredja, Sebelin rallied for a 7-5 win before finishing the match with a 6-4 victory in the second set.

“I really tried to just take it one point at a time, one game at a time,” said Sebelin. “Even though it was 5-3, I thought, ‘Win this game, then I’m right back in it.’

“And that’s what happened. I was able to get the momentum, and I was able to win.”

In addition to Sebelin, Lehighton’s Bayto Cokrilja and Bekim Cokrilja also were in the 2A bracket, though the brothers both suffered first round losses.

Quick study

Sebelin, who was seeded eighth, had defeated Gredja, the No. 9 seed, 6-3, 6-4 on April 10.

Also a tremendous golfer and basketball player, Sebelin utilizes his athleticism on the court as the team’s No. 1 singles player.

“Once I get moving, and once I kind of get the feel for the game, that kind of locks me in,” said Sebelin, who has compiled an 8-4 record this season. “That gets me going.”

Beyond just his ability, Sebelin has also proved to be a quick study on the court.

“He’s smart. He watches, he learns, and I think that combined with him just being a strong athlete has really helped him progress,” said Blue Bombers coach Jennifer Danzeisen. “He picks things up very quickly.”

Sebelin ran into top seed and defending district champion Deven Pandey of Saucon Valley in the second round, falling 6-0, 6-1.

“Definitely just taking in the moment,” said Sebelin. “I’m happy to be here, and Deven’s a great opponent and a really great player. I’m just happy to play against him, and the points that I won, I was really happy.”

It was an experience Sebelin wasn’t sure he would have, but one he’s grateful to share with family, teammates and coaches who have helped him get to this point.

“My coach was a big advocate for getting me out,” said Sebelin. “I played it in gym class in ninth and 10th grade, and I was decent, and then when I came out (last year) I loved it. My family really encouraged me to do it as well. Once I came out, I just loved it and I’m so happy I did it.”

Difficult defeats

Moravian Academy’s Brian Yang outlasted Bayto Cokrilja, who was seeded sixth, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) in a first round match that lasted over two hours.

“I think it was evenly matched,” said Cokrilja. “We both had our fair share of good hits.”

Cokrilja rallied from a 5-3 deficit to make it 5-5 and 6-6 before the decisive tiebreaker.

“I don’t think I’ve ever played even half that (long),” said Cokrilja. “That was a really long match, it definitely tired me out.”

Taking the first set helped Cokrilja build confidence, but Yang was able to respond.

“That really helped,” Cokrilja said of the first set. “And then I was up in the second set, like 4-1, but he was able to come back, and he just kept hitting great shots against me that I couldn’t return; hard shots. I tried, and he just kept returning them and I couldn’t get them.”

Cokrilja has ascended to the No. 1 singles spot as a sophomore this year with the graduation of Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Tennis Player of the Year Aaron Miller.

His leadership and ability have helped the squad continue its team success, compiling a 9-3 record this season after going 11-4 a year ago.

“He’s such a solid tennis player,” Indians coach Cody Schuler said. “He always does such a good job, both him and his brother (Bekim) work so hard all year long to get here, and I thought he did great. They both had their great shots, and it was such a long match; it was two good players playing against each other, and it was fun to watch.”

Freshman Bekim Cokrilja suffered a 6-0, 6-1 loss to No. 2 seed Armaan Makwana of Bethlehem Catholic in the first round.

“It was a fun experience,” said Bekim. “I’m here with my brother, and to be here is a great opportunity, with so many different players from different areas.

“I was just coming in to do my best, and see how it comes out.”

BACK AGAIN

... The District 11 Class 2A and 3A doubles tournaments will begin Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Lehigh University with the first round followed by the quarterfinals.

BUT FIRST

... The Class 2A and 3A semifinals and finals will take place today, beginning at 12 p.m., at Saucon Valley High School.

TURNING IT AROUND

... After finishing 2-12 a year ago, the Bombers won their final two matches of the season - both by scores of 3-2 - to finish the regular season with a 6-6 record. They are currently seventh in the District 11 Class 2A power rankings.

HONORED

... Sebelin also was recently honored as a Colonial League Sportsmanship Award winner. “That was a neat achievement, but it’s just a reflection of my teammates and my coach,” said Sebelin. “They’re always encouraging me to do well, and my family, they’re always supporting me as well.”