Palla Brothers Enjoying Success

MONTICELLO — Ben Palla’s been waiting four years for a game this big.
After finishing last season winless, not many people thought Palla would ever play in an important October game. But all of that’s changed with undefeated No. 4 Tolono Unity hosting Monticello, who’s a surprising 5-1, tonight.
“It’s a statement game,” the Monticello quarterback said. “Any top 10 team is going to have a target on its back. It’s their game to lose and our game to win.
“We need to come out and prove to everyone that we belong.”
That’s the attitude Palla and the rest of the seniors developed once Cully Welter took over the program after the Sages’ 0-9 2008 season. Immediately, Welter knew he had to change the approach to day-to-day obligations.
“It’s a matter of becoming more intense and building confidence,” said Welter, who’s won three state championships. “We’re trying to work hard all the time so when adversity strikes during the season, we’re ready.”
Monticello’s built plenty of confidence as the team is on pace for its best season in seven years, including wins against Meridian (3-3) and Central A&M (4-2). The Sages are also receiving seven votes in the latest Associated Press poll.
Emerging from the stellar start has been Palla, who leads the area in every passing category. He’s racked up 1,424 yards and 15 touchdowns with a 58 percent completion rate.
“The offense is just more consistent,” said Palla, who’s also thrown five interceptions. “Last year, we had big plays and put points on the board, but we didn’t do it consistently. This year, coach’s expectations have grown with ours and we expect each play to go well.”
In the past, Monticello’s offense has centered on running the ball, but Welter wants balance. The option of establishing the run or the pass each game has allowed Palla to take advantage of his talent at wide receiver.
“Throughout the summer in 7-on-7, I thought our skill guys could stack up really well,” Welter said. “It was a matter of protecting the quarterback and we have been able to do that.”
Monticello’s big-play combination sends the Palla family into a frenzy as it’s Ben throwing to his brother Matt. Through six games, Matt has 21 catches, seven of which are for touchdowns.
“Matt’s great because I know when I put the ball in his hands only 5 yards down the field, he can break it open for 65 yards,” Ben said. “I know a lot of my success depends on what he does after I get him the ball, so I am thankful to have him out there.
“It’s really fun to have Palla to Palla out there.”
There’s been the typical brotherly fighting through the years, but Matt, who’s a junior, loves having his brother at QB.
“On the field it’s a lot of fun,” Matt said. “We both depend on each other a lot.”
The two will need each other tonight against Tolono (6-0, 2-0) in a conference game that could decide the Okaw Valley championship. Considering Tolono is coming off a 32-14 win against powerhouse No. 9 St. Teresa, the Pallas know things won’t come easy.
“Seeing them beat St. T (5-1, 1-1) was kind of threatening,” Matt said. “But if everybody plays hard, we can have a good game against them and it should be interesting.”

Published in the Herald & Review in October 2009.

Twins Picked Up Tennis Early

Amy and Tracy Kuhle picked up tennis rackets before they started learning math.
Since age 3, the twin sisters who have carried St. Teresa this season as freshmen have prepared for competition similar to the state tournament. Their father, Chuck, is a local tennis connoisseur, who comes from a family of tennis players.
“Once I saw them throw a ball,” Chuck said about knowing they would be good at tennis. “They both have above average service motions. A lot of players don’t have the fluid motion they had, so I knew.”
Tennis is in the Kuhles blood.
So, it’s not a surprise for some who hear about Amy and Tracy blanking opponents night in and night out. The duo has combined for 23 singles wins and only one loss. The loss came to Urbana’s No. 1 Katarina Marjanovic, who’s earned a scholarship to college.
As a doubles team, the two haven’t lost when playing together, including a 7-6, 6-2 win against Marjanovic’s doubles team. Split them up, and they’re still undefeated in doubles. They’ve helped St. Teresa to a 10-2 record.
“To have girls your age supporting you is really fun,” Amy said about playing her first year of high school tennis. “It’s not as competitive as USTA tennis, but it’s really fun playing with others.”
With thousands of matches already behind them, Amy and Tracy are freshmen playing with the experience of seniors. They’ve traveled around the country playing top-notch talent and their domination at the high school level has been a long time coming.
“They can play with anybody,” said first-year St. Teresa tennis coach Mike Brannon. “They’re already very accomplished.”
With the sectional play starting Saturday, not many know the true potential of the combo this year. Chuck, Amy and Tracy downplayed the expectation of winning a doubles state title now. In fact, Amy and Tracy simply want to outplay their brother, Patrick, who won four doubles matches at state as a St. Teresa freshman last year.
“We’re not hoping for anything huge this year,” said Amy, who’s also been helped by assistant coach Julie Heim. “We want to try and win more than our brother and just see how the competition is.”
Tracy added, “We’re just going to try and work hard and try to win it by our junior or senior year.”
It was two quality answers identical to their dad, who wants them to keep sharpening their game with hard work and determination.
“There are no guarantees,” Chuck said. “I don’t ever want to be the one who says they’re going to win it, but they have a shot at it eventually. They have a lot of work left to do.”
Amy admitted her backhand isn’t as strong as it should be. Tracy wants to work on her big serve because it’s her strength when it’s in. And other than Tracy being left-handed, the two are tennis twins, too, with not many holes in their game.
“Usually when people ask I say me, but honestly we’re dead even,” Tracy confessed in response to who was better.
What surprises Brannon the most is their easy-going personalities despite being so talented. He expected them to be a lot more intense, but they get the job done with ease.
“It’s unusual to see kids who are super competitive and laid back,” Brannon said. “They just like playing tennis and having fun and are really good at it.”
The Kuhles quest begins Saturday at the Casey-Westfield Sectional, which isn’t expected to provide any serious hurdles. Then it would be off to state a week from today, where the possibilities are still unknown.

Published in the Herald & Review in October 2009.