2019 Reporter/Times Herald Area Girls Tennis Preview
Area teams are back on the courts, and a young Dock squad looks for some new heroes to emerge.
Said coach Cody Powis: “Our goal this preseason was to work harder than ever on our physicality and being able to sustain long matches, while playing a consistent game throughout. It will exciting to see who steps up for the team as we try to replace some of our graduated leadership.”
Gwynedd Mercy Academy is coming off a 12-2 season.
“I feel very optimistic and positive,” coach Lupe Prince said. “The group of players we have this year is pretty good. They have a good level of tennis. More of them have been practicing, individually in the offseason to improve their skill levels.
“We look forward to becoming champions of the Catholic League. The task of guiding the team during the season has been assigned to the two senior players, Isabella Kellner and Tess Flanigan. Their role is very important to deepen the enthusiasm of the team along the good and bad days of the season.”
Following is a team-by-team look at the area.
Dock
Coach: Cody Powis (seventh season).
Key performers lost: Kasey Cai; Theresa Beck.
Key returners: Serena Tan, Jr.; Maggie Dowell, So.; Sarah DeGeorge, Sr.; Regan Zehr, Sr.
Others to watch: Regan Zehr, Sr.; Madelyn Bergin, Sr.
Strengths: This year’s group of girls has a lot of experience in their rackets, but a variation of varsity match play.
Question Marks: Many of our returners have shown good improvement on their overall techniques, but it will be a matter of how well it holds in a close match.
GMA
Coach: Lupe Prince (13th season).
Last year’s record: 12-2.
Key performers lost: Kelsie Van Thuune; Olivia Urie.
Key returners: Isabella Kellner, Sr., first singles; Tess Flanigan, Sr., second singles.
Others to watch: Elise Hill, Fr., first doubles.
Strengths: The team’s greatest strength is the camaraderie and team spirit among the girls. The girls enjoy each other’s company and work together to help each other off and on the court.
North Penn
Coach: Alex DeCecco.
Last year’s record: 13-3, 6-0 in the SOL Continental.
Key performers lost: Karley Alling: Salisbury University; Felicia Yan; Madhu William; Sabrina Palmer.
Key returners: Lauren Alling, Jr.; Brynn Janke, Jr.; Anushka Jadav, Sr., doubles.
Others to watch: Dakota Williams, Fr., second singles; Ashley Bohling, So., third singles.
Outlook for the season: “We lost 8 varsity players so we have our work cut out for us. A rebuilding year for sure but we have youth and enthusiasm on our side, so I’m hoping that will see us through the tough times we’ll face this season.
Wissahickon
Coach: Mary Ellen Devlin (12th season).
Last year’s record: 18-3.
Key performers lost: Jenny Landells (College of New Jersey); Julia Friedenberg.
Key returners: Liz Kooman, Sr.; Amanda Maltin, Sr.; Hannah Wang, Jr.; Nicole Zappin, Jr.; Ella Chang, So.; Katie Lu; Lily Solomon.
Others to watch: Lauren Kooman, So.; Claira Baldasamo, Fr.; Saachi Mehta, Fr.; Tiffany Chen, Fr.
Outlook for the season: The Trojans expect to be among the top contenders in the SOL American and conference play, as well as make a deep run at the District One team tournament.
