Junior Arman Ganchi and freshman Hanna Ganchi never expected to play tennis together at Lafayette. Now, the siblings are among the most valuable players on their respective teams.
The pair began taking tennis seriously in middle school — later than most Division I commits. Both Arman and Hanna Ganchi played tennis at West Orange Racquet Club and often trained in clinics together. Soon after, they played high school tennis at Montclair Kimberley Academy in New Jersey. They played at the top singles positions during their high school career and received division honors.
“Playing high school tennis was similar to here, just a lot less competitive,” Arman Ganchi said.
Both players had different goals for their collegiate careers. Hanna Ganchi’s goal was “always to play in college,” she said.
“I didn’t think I could make it to college tennis until I was around 15 or 16,” Arman Ganchi said.
To make it to a Division I tennis level, junior athletes need matchplay experience from United States Tennis Association tournaments. Held all across the country on weekends, Arman and Hanna Ganchi often had to play USTA tournaments in different locations.
“Before we could drive, our parents would split up and take us to different places,” Arman Ganchi said.
Arman Ganchi was the first to commit to Lafayette in 2021. He’s since compiled a 15-20 dual match record at Lafayette, defeating top players from Bucknell, Holy Cross and Siena in singles play.
Hanna Ganchi would attend Lafayette tennis matches during her recruiting process. By watching her brother play, Hanna Ganchi eventually met players from the women’s team. However, it was her brother that really sold her on Lafayette.
“If I’m honest, my final two [schools] were Lehigh and Lafayette and I realized I probably should go to Lafayette,” Hanna Ganchi said.
The Ganchi siblings are no strangers to success at Lafayette. As a freshman, Arman Ganchi started at the first singles spot, facing some of the best college tennis players in the region.
Hanna Ganchi, in her most recent match against Union College on Saturday, also played at the first singles spot and won 8-5.
With Patriot League play coming up for both the men’s and women’s teams, the Ganchis are looking forward to the challenge of tough matches together.
“The hardest matches are Patriot League ones, it’s a physical challenge … they’re a lot more competitive,” Arman Ganchi said.
The men’s and women’s tennis teams often have to travel together to dual matches and tournaments. As a result, Hanna and Arman Ganchi have a close relationship.
“The teams are pretty close,” Arman Ganchi said. “Now that the season is starting for tennis, we’re certainly closer.”
Sophomore Alyssa Perdomo, one of the women’s captains, first remembered Arman Ganchi for his skill on the court in Patriot League matches.
“I don’t remember what match I specifically saw him play … but I realized he was number one [singles] and he was really good,” Perdomo said.
As another starting singles player for the Leopards, Perdomo praised Hanna Ganchi for her encouragement on the court. The pair teamed up for a doubles match during the fall season.
“I’d say she’s really sweet and she’s encouraging if you’re upset about something or you’re upset in your match,” Perdomo said of Hanna Ganchi. “She’s always there supporting you.”
The Ganchi duo credited the sport for bonding them.
“The fact that we both wanted to play college tennis made us really close,” Hanna Ganchi said. “I’m grateful for that. Without tennis, we wouldn’t have been close.”
