Traditional powers once again look to flex their muscles
By Bryan Davis
bdavis@medianewsgroup.com
@btdavis25 on Twitter
With the girls tennis season underway, the local traditional powers will look to add more hardware to their collection. All the teams are happy to get back to a somewhat more normal schedule after last year’s COVID-19 interruption.
In the Ches-Mont League National Division, Downingtown East returns the defending division champion, sophomore Danielle Litvan. They will count on each player to help make a valuable contribution.
Downingtown West has started out hots this season. Senior Alyssa Dehart and Sophia Koons return to add a wealth of experience. Abby Walter stepes in at third singles and freshman Sanni Varanaisi has been a relavation at second doubles.
“Our girls have trained hard this offseason with many of them competing in USTA tournament or team tennis competition,” said West coach Justin DePietropaolo. “However, we know that this will be a tough year in the Ches-Mont league and never underestimate any opponent. We’ve also scheduled some tough nonleague opponents, including both District 1 finalists from last year — Spring-Ford and Wissahickon.
Bishop Shanahan returns a wealth of talent headed by senior captain Theresa Tomasicchio, who returns at No. 1 singles. She dealt with injuries last season, but hopes her power game returns to form. Seniors Lauren Houser and Rebecca Hangey will be at second doubles. The duo brings court sense and athleticism to their game, which should make them a formidable pair.
One of the key youngsters who will be counted on is freshman Ella Matulewicz. She is a among the USTA players in the region in her age group and should make immediate contributions for the Eagles. Senior Emma McMonagle steps in after transferring to the school late in her junior year. Head coach Jamie Breen said she is a solid all-court player.
“We lost four starting seniors, which is always hard to overcome, but we have a lot of depth with returning seniors/juniors, and I expect our team to have a better season than last year,” said Breen. “Our singles is positioned to be strong with some very experienced players and our doubles should be better with so much competition. We have a large group of upperclassmen fighting for those starting eight doubles slots which should help us on the scoreboard this year. Our program is growing in size and will help us to continue player development with our underclassmen for years to come.”
The strength for West Chester East will be in their singles roster. Seinors Saoirse Dooley and Rachel Grobman will be featured at first and third singles respectively. Sophomore Audrey Beckman will see action at second singles.
West Chester Henderson will once be a contender for the Ches-Mont National title under coach Peter Sok. Ella Tunnell is a two-time first-team he DLN Girs Tennis All-Area selection. Kylie Kochis and Sophia Ming complete a very strong singles lineup. Kaitlyn Evans and Kiera Koay highlights the doubles lineup.
Avon Grove and Coatesville look to improve on their seasons last year and get some younger players valuable experience.
Over in the American Division, Unionville should once again, be the team to beat. The singles lineup is led by sophomore Grace Li, who has found success at the tournament level. Senior co-captain Meera Sehgal and junior Catherine Stone check in at second and third singles. Both bring a history of success and a variety of shots to the court.
“We have great depth and experience heading into this season and are hoping for deep post-season opportunities, said coach Janet Johnston.
“Faith Ilgner (senior and co-captain) at first doubles has anchored first doubles all four years of her high school career, the last three with (junior) Jaclyn Santaguida. They have proved very successful, with good teamwork and excellent doubles play. They have won key matches throughout their career in postseason play and look forward to continued success.”
West Chester Rustin and longtime coach Bill McElroy is led by sophomore Maya Tashie, who moves into the first singles position. Junior Adriana MacNeal is at second singles and freshman Emma Skinner holding the third spot. taking the 2nd singles spots. Older sister Ellison Skinner holds down the first doubles spot along with junior Taylor Kugh.
Great Valley hopes to qualify for districts behind senior captains Meg Corrigan, Sapna Chokshi and Ria Kokkengada. Sophomore Mabel Qiu, and junior Jess Corrigan & Sanya Tinaikar will also contribute at singles. Junior Ellie Kwak partners with Meg Corrigan at first doubles.
Conestoga has been close or on top of the Central League roost for years and return a stacked roster. Returning first-team All-Area member Leena Kwak leads the roster at first singles. The senior posted an 8-3 record last year and teamed with Ananya Krishman to win the Central League doubles title. Krishman went 11-0 at second singles last year. Katie Emmanuel was 11-0 as a freshman for the Pioneers to round out a formidable singles roster.
For Westtown, junior Jomkwan (Kapom) Vettayawaikoon marks her first year with the team. She has a strong baseline game ans should be an immediate contributor. Sophomore Amy Vaduva is a big hitter who is also a fierce competitor. Sophomore Alifa Teke is a relentless force who never gives up on a return.
