Mercury-area girls tennis preview
BOYERTOWN
Head coach: Donna Laskosky, 16th season
Last year’s record: 3-6 PAC-10, 3-8 overall
Players to watch: Molly Kulp, Sr.; Rachel Moyer, Jr.; Ivy Price, So.; Megan Christman, Sr.; Grace Evan, So.
Outlook: A young team working hard to reach a consistently competitive level in the very tough PAC-10.
DANIEL BOONE
Head coach: Garry Lucas, 4th season
Last year’s record: 5-3 Berks, 11-7 overall
Players to watch: Caitlin Shellhamer, Sr.; Racael Bicer, Jr.; Virginia Higgins, Jr.; Kelsey Delozier, Sr.
Outlook: Strong team chemistry in this group. There’s a good amount of experience that could help raise the team’s competitive level from the middle of the pack.
HILL SCHOOL
Head coach: Clarence Oliver, 2nd season
Last year’s record: 3-11 Mid-Atlantic Prep League, 3-11 overall
Players to watch: Carissa Kathuria, Jr.; Ally Maner, Jr.; Alex Katz, Sr.
Outlook: Lost most of the top players to graduation, but others ready to step up.
METHACTON
Head coach: Cathy Miller, 7th seasonLast year’s record: 9-0 PAC-10 (champions), 12-3 overall
Players to watch: Mihaela Codreanu, Sr.; Paige McDougall, Sr.; Amanda Amornwichet, Jr.; Sydnie Markowitz, Jr.; Maria George, Sr.
Outlook: The defending champions have the ability to repeat. Miller sees the off-season work ethic paying off; some returnees “have upped their games,” she says. The impact of Codreanu, the defending District 1-AAA singles champion, can’t be overlooked as the Warriors look to continue their league dominance.
OWEN J. ROBERTS
Head coach: Jerry Styer, 41st season
Last year’s record: 7-2 PAC-10, 9-4 overall
Players to watch: Meredith Lee, Jr.; Camryn Gelting, Jr.; Sara Maute, Sr.; Erika Shimer, Sr.; Lauren Lotka, Sr.
Outlook: A talented young infusion mixed with strong upper classes give OJR an excellent shot at contending for the league title. Leading the way will be Meredith Lee, who had a superb sophomore season that went all the way to Hershey where she was semifinalist in the PIAA Class AAA Singles Championships.
PERKIOMEN SCHOOL
Head coach: Mindy Irven, 1st year
Last year’s record: 5-0 Tri-County League (champions), 8-5 overall
Players to watch: Amelia Dormer, Sr.; Caitlyn Konradt, Sr.
Outlook: Development of young players will be a big focus after graduating five players from a team that doubled as league and postseason conference titlists.
PERKIOMEN VALLEY
Head coach: Jennifer Dixon, 12th season
Last year’s record: 6-3 PAC-10, 9-4 overall
Players to watch: Jasmine Morris, So.; Allison Newman, Jr.; Sabina Brzozowski, Jr.; Mary Paige Martin, Jr.
Outlook: Only two seniors but 14 returning players for the Vikings. Morris and Newman are good singles players and the doubles combinations show depth.
PHOENIXVILLE
Head coach: Ryan Curley, 2nd season
Last year’s record: 5-4 PAC-10, 7-6 overall
Players to watch: Mackenzie Bowes, Sr.; Susanna Shier, Sr.; Keri Marini, Sr.; Jess Eldridge, Jr.; Elyse Langan, Jr.
Outlook: After graduating seven of the 11 varsity members, opportunity abounds for rising players. The Lady Phantoms look like a team that will bring a lot of energy. The doubles play likely will lead the way while the young talent develops.
POPE JOHN PAUL II
Head coach: Marie Del Vecchio, 1st season
Last year’s record: 4-5 PAC-10, 7-5 overall
Players to watch: Kathryn Alvarez, Fr.; Cassie Sucoloski, Sr.; Alise Deveney, Sr.
Outlook: Gunning for a winning record in league play, which would be a first since the school’s inception.
POTTSGROVE
Head coach: Gus Tellis, 5th year
Last year’s record: 2-7 PAC-10, 4-10 overall
Players to watch: Jenna Trythall, Megan Radomicke
Outlook: Short on experience, but lots of hope for the future with a big turnout of freshmen and sophomores.
POTTSTOWN
Head coach: Ira Watts, 8th season
Last year’s record: 0-9 PAC-10, 0-11 overall
Players to watch: Erica Piechota, Sr.; Gianna Epps, So.; Alivia Lopez, Jr.; Cera Emmell, Sr.; Ashely Adams, Jr.
Outlook: Coming off a tough season, Watts sees a promising future with a mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores all focused on improvement while gaining more experience.
SPRING-FORD
Head coach: Todd Reagan, 12th year
Last year’s record: 8-1 PAC-10, 14-3 overall
Players to watch: Sonal Tyagi, Jr.; Camryn Jones, Jr.; Elise DiGuiseppe, Jr.; Caitlyn Hart, Jr.; Bianca Caresosa, So.
Outlook: A deep junior class leads this team. Reagan says youth throughout the lineup will be eager to meet the challenge of varsity competition.
UPPER PERKIOMEN
Head coach: John Williamson, 7th season
Last year’s record: 1-8 PAC-10, 1-10 overall
Players to watch: Lynsey Quinn, Sr.; Chloe Clemente, Sr.; Amanda Hanshew, Sr.; Hanna Supplee, Sr.; Emily Brandt, Jr.
Outlook: Losing their top three singles players will force some players to step up their game. Upper Perk has a nice nucleus and is hopeful of improving as a team.
Compiled by Dan Dunkin, For the Mercury
