BETHLEHEM - Aaron Miller’s advice was as simple as it was sincere.

Just have fun.

A senior nearing the end of his tennis career, Miller has enjoyed tremendous success throughout the spring.

The final chapter in his Lehighton career was one he shared with a teammate who appears to just be getting started.

Miller and freshman Bayto Cokrlija advanced to the quarterfinals at the District 11 Class 2A doubles tournament Monday at Lehigh University’s Ulrich Courts.

Though their run ended there, it was another achievement for both players, as well as a program that has enjoyed a triumphant season.

“I was trying to keep him motivated, and towards the end, I just wanted him to have fun,” said Miller. “I just wanted him to enjoy it. He’ll be back here, he’ll have more chances. Just enjoy it for now.”

The No. 7 seed in the 2A bracket, Miller and Cokrlija defeated Bethlehem Catholic’s Callen Kok and Dan Smith 6-3, 6-3 in the first round.

In the quarterfinals, the pair fell 6-4, 6-1 to second-seeded Tim Spinosa and Charlie Long of Allentown Central Catholic.

“They’ve been practicing together a lot on their own,” said Indians’ head coach Cody Schuler. “They were doing as much as they could to get ready, and they did great. They won the first match and did real well. I’m proud of them. To get that first win, that was great.

“When you play the caliber of players like they did, they played better and they did a great job,”

Leading 3-2 against Kok and Smith in the first set, Cokrlija and Miller faced a deuce point. Cokrlija responded with a winner when the Lehighton pair needed it.

In the second set, Miller and Cokrlija led 4-3 before winning the last two games to close out the match.

Miller – Lehighton’s top singles player – and Cokrlija brought their styles together to earn the win.

“He’s a freshman, and he’s playing at a really high level,” said Miller. “It’s just great to see. He’s going to go far.

“We’ve been able to get really close. We play together, practice together. I know he can be great. He’s such a good player, and a great kid.”

Beyond their skill, the pair also showed resiliency.

Miller and Cokrlija faced a 2-0 deficit in the first set of their quarterfinal before tying it. They went down 4-2 before knotting it up again.

“It was really back-and-forth,” said Miller. “We were in it. They were able to frustrate us a little bit. You can’t always win. That was tough.”

Spinosa and Long built a 4-0 lead in the second set before Miller and Cokrlija forced a deuce point, with Miller coming through with a winner, to take a game in the final set,

There weren’t many losses for Miller or his team this season.

Miller finished the regular season undefeated, and earned the No. 3 seed at the Class 2A singles tournament two weeks ago.

After a 1-3 start, Lehighton finished the regular season by winning its final 10 matches. The run was rewarded with the fifth-seed in the District 11 Class 2A team tournament.

Cokrlija will be among the many key returnees for an Indians’ squad that returns its entire lineup, but must replace Miller.

“I really want to do better next year,” said Cokrlija. “I want to improve. I want to have a better record.

“But I learned a lot this year. I never really played games like this before until this year. It was a lot of great experience for me.”

While Cokrlija begins to look ahead, Miller was able to reflect on a remarkable career – and a memorable run during the postseason.

“I don’t feel like it’s over. I know it is, but it still feels like I’ve got a little bit of time left,” said Miller. “But I feel like I’ve developed a little bit over these last few weeks. I’ve been seeing some really good competition.

“I’m happy with it. I felt like I really progressed a lot.”

He’ll be looking for the rest of the Indians to continue to do the same.

“I’ll be keeping tabs on these guys next year,” said Miller. “I’ll be texting them, asking them what’s going on.”

It might be more of the same.

LOOKING AHEAD

... The semifinals and championship rounds in the Class 2A and 3A doubles tournaments will be held Wednesday at Parkland High School.

REMARKABLE RUN

... The Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Tennis Player of the Year last spring, Miller built on his success from a year ago and entered the individual district tournament with a 14-0 record. Miller will play golf at Indiana Wesleyan next fall.

COMING BACK

... Lehighton’s roster features a mix of underclassmen who will look to keep the program moving in the right direction with juniors Daniel Hoppes, Luke Blauch, Lucas Schatz, Zane Smith and Owen Kovach and a freshman in Cokrlija returning. The group all played in the Tribe’s District 11 team tournament match against Notre Dame Green Pond last week.