Lots of talent ready to hit court
SOL American race could highlight season
In recent seasons, it’s been a safe bet that the tennis matches between Upper Dublin, Cheltenham and Wissahickon had a lot riding on them.
That figures to be the case again this season as the three teams look to contend for the Suburban One League American conference title. Upper Dublin currently holds the crown, but longtime coach Carol Hackenbracht knows the Panthers and Trojans have the lineups to contend for the crown. Throw in two new teams in Quakertown and Hatboro-Horsham and there are a few new hurdles on the road to that title.
In the case of the Cardinals and Trojans, there’s a lot of youth in a lot of places, meaning both lineups look built to be good not only this year, but going forward. Wissahickon and Upper Dublin meet at Wiss on Sept. 1. Upper Dublin visits Cheltenham on Sept. 15 while Wissahickon visits the Panthers on Sept. 9.
Doubles looks to be a big strength for both Wiss and UD while both teams will have some talent in the singles lineups. UD sophomore Ksenija Tasich is back at No. 1 singles after taking second in the league tournament last year. Joining here at No. 2 is sophomore Erin Hackett and at No. 3, freshman Skylar Richman.
The Pioneer Athletic Conference is getting two new squads in Norristown and Upper Merion and the Vikings are looking to build off last year’s 6-7 season. Four-year starter Amy Phanthavong is the team’s veteran leader in singles play. Upper Merion and Norristown join a league where Methacton has been a presence in recent seasons.
But the Warriors and coach Cathy Miller will have some major cogs to replace off last year’s PAC champ and fourth-place District I finisher. The largest gap to fill is at No. 1 singles
where Mihaela Codreanu graduated after a stellar career that saw her win three straight PAC singles titles, back-to-back District I singles titles and finish second in the state as a sophomore.
Paige MacDougal, Alejandra Castaneda, Liza and Maria George are losses in the doubles lineup but Miller said last year’s JV team was successful and those players are pushing to make it a quick rebuild.
Other teams, like Abington, are hoping to return to form and in the Galloping Ghosts’ case, go after an SOL National title.
With a good mix of established players and some young but well-versed faces across the board, expect some quality tennis in the area this fall.
Editor’s note: All coaches were contacted prior to publication. LANSDALE CATHOLIC Head Coach: Wendy Bradshaw, 2nd season Key losses: Zac Zhu, Molly Smith and Caitlin Hoos Returning Athletes/ Players to watch: Seniors — Jackie Campbell, Sarah Duffy and Brenna Husk. Sophomore — Shannon Carr. Outlook: Campbell enters the season as the only returning starter for LC so spots are open for other players to make their mark. “The girls we have returning have shown tremendous growth since last season and look ready to take on the challenge of filling their positions,” Bradshaw said. METHACTON 2015: 17-4, 9-0 PAC-10
Head coach: Cathy Miller, 8th season Key Losses ; Mihaela Codreanu -1st Singles, Paige MacDougal -1st Doubles, Alejandra Castaneda-3rd doubles, Liza and Maria George- 4th Doubles Athletes to watch: Soph. Dina Nouaime - singles, Sr. Sydnie Markowitz- Singles, Sr Amanda Amornwichet- Singles/Doubles, Sr. Katie Benson- Doubles, Sr. Sydney Thompson-Doubles and Junior Rachel Dorn- Doubles, Sophomore Tina Prince-Singles, Sr. Harleen Suri- Doubles, Freshman Karen Li- Singles Outlook: “Graduating 5 starters puts us in a rebuilding mode. At singles, replacing Mihaela Codreanu ( State Silver Medalist ‘13, District 1 Singles Champ ‘14, ‘15, PAC 10 Singles Champ ‘13, ‘14, ‘15) will be a challenge, however the returning experienced players are working hard to solidify their singles spots. The doubles teams are a work in progress. We are looking at strong players from last season’s winning JV teams as well as newcomers to step up and fill the vacant spots”. NORRISTOWN 2015: 0-12 Head Coach: Stephanie Pisarek, 3rd season Assistant Coach: Audrey Dudley Notable losses: Malika Dorsey, Brandi Gipe Returning Athletes/ Players to watch: Seniors—Hannah Markley, Taylor Walker, and Naomi Dillon Key Matches: Upper Merion Pottsgrove, Lansdale Catholic. Outlook: Norristown enters this season with a pretty thin roster but has ready and willing girls to take the court. The Eagles will lean heavily on its three core seniors. “We have a lot of new and young players who are excited to learn and committed to the team,” Pisarek said. NORTH PENN 2015: 7-6, 5-2 SOL Head coach: Kristina Alling (2nd year) Assistant coach: Renee DiDomizio Key Losses: Leanne Bollard and
Sarah Jensen Athletes to Watch: Neha Velaga (1st singles/Fr.), Karley Alling (2nd singles/So.), Elise Hurry (3rd singles/So.), Erin Hurry (doubles/Sr.), Jess Szuchan (doubles/Sr.), Sara Stavely (doubles/Jr.), Olivia Hauser (doubles/Jr.) Key matches: Phoenixville Play for the Cure tournament (Aug, 26), CB West (Aug. 30), Methacton (Sept. 2), CB East (Sept. 14) Outlook: “We’re optimistic about the season. We lost two seniors, Leanna Bollard and Sarah Jensen, who were our No. 1 and 2 singles players. But we have an excellent freshman who will be playing first singles and my returning varsity players worked hard in the offseason.” PENNRIDGE 2015: 10-3 Head coach: Frank Flanagan, 3rd season Assistant Coaches: Nicole Marchese Notable losses: none Returning athletes/athletes to watch: Katrina Janeczko, Ylan Phan, Victoria Hanus, Kaitlyn Harries Key matches: CB South, North Penn, CB West Outlook: “Put a competitive team out there, work hard, get some great wins, have a fun
season.” SOUDERTON 2015: 5-4 Head Coach: Alexandra Aiken, first season Assistant Coaches: Maggie Horvath Team outlook/expectations: “I am very excited about the outlook for our season. Our team has an excellent vibe and I am confident that we will have a successful season. Our large group of seniors is helping to build a strong confident base to our season. We also have a few freshman rising to the top that are going to mix up our line up. There is a battle for our three singles positions going on now that hasn’t been determined yet.” UPPER DUBLIN 2015: 12-1; Suburban One League American Champions Head Coach: Carol Hackenbracht Asst. Coach: Carla DiMuzio Notable losses: Lauren Cheifetz, Sydney Tress Returning athletes and new ones to watch: Ksenija Tasich, Erin Hackett, Skylar Richman, Amanda Yang, Belinda Jin, Ann Liu, Lea Mangifesta and LeeAnn Raynor Key matches: Wissahickon and Cheltenham. Outlook: Tasich took second in the league singles tournament as a freshman and returns as the Cardinals’ No. 1. Hackett, a sophomore and Richman, a freshman will play 2 and 3 singles. The team’s doubles lineup should be strong. Rounding out and bolstering the lineup are returning players senior Annie Steinbrink, sophomore Annabelle Laughlin, as well as freshman Jess Cheifetz. UPPER MERION 2015: 6-7 Head Coach: Phillipe David, 4th season Assistant Coaches: Patricia Ehret Notable: Sara Dang, Caitlin Dwinnell Returning athletes/athletes to watch: Amy Phanthavong, Minali Tare, Sahar Islam Key matches: “We are in a new league this year (the PAC) so all of our league matches will be key.” Team outlook/expectations: “I am hoping that we can build on our record last year and have a better record in the league as well.” The Vikings have a fouryear starter in Phanthavong at No. 1 singles and Tare and Islam will step into the No. 2 and 3 spots respectively. WISSAHICKON 2015: 12-4 Head Coach: Mary Ellen Devlin, 9th season Key returning players: sophomores Julia Friedenberg and Jenny Landells, juniors Rachel Flame,Samantha Sullivan, and Lauren Kang, and seniors Sasha Iakimenko, Emily Richmond and Alycia Lee who will round out the Doubles. Outlook: “With key singles positions and top doubles roles assumed by underclassmen Wissahickon’s young squad looks promising. Last year’s league loss to rival Upper Dublin and talented Cheltenham team promises to be interesting as a young squad acquired experience which will be key to this season’s success.”