The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Girls Tennis Preview: Methacton doubles looking to repeat state title
Last season wasn’t just a special one in Montgomery County, it was a historic one.
Not only did North Penn’s Esha Velaga win the PIAA 3A singles title, but Methacton’s Hana Nouaime and Alice Liang won the doubles title.
Velaga decided not to return for her senior year, but Nouaime and Liang are back.
“I would love to see them repeat,” Methacton coach Jill Walker said.
Only problem is the duo might contend for the PIAA 3A singles title.
Still for now the Warriors look like the team to beat in the PAC with Lauren Montgomery at No. 3 singles and Morgan Coupe and Anika Suresh at No. 1 doubles.
Over in the SOL, North Penn does have to cope with the loss of Velaga. However, seniors Dakota Williams and Sanjana Jacob are back.
The real competition should come in the SOL Liberty where Wissahickon and Upper Dublin renew their rivalry.
The Trojans lost quite a bit from last season, but back are sophomore Yiyi Huang and seniors Saachi Mehta and Claira Baldasano.
The Cardinals look to make a statement behind the play of Ciara Peyton, Eva Yang and Kaelin Penna.
The following is a capsule look at the girls tennis scene.
Methacton
Coach: Jill Walker
Years coaching: 6th
Returning players: Hana Nouaime, moving up to No. 1 singles: Alice Liang; Lauren Montgomery, No. 3 singles: Anika Suresh/Morgan Coupe, No. 1 doubles; Dru O’Brien/Carlee Dellose, No. 2 doubles; Julia Miccoli/Shannon O’Leary, No. 3 doubles.
Newcomers: Olivia Schneier/Sol Martin, No. 4 doubles.
Cheltenham
Head coach: Emily Cruz-Pineda
Years coaching: First
Top players: Charli Jones; Sophia Weisman; Julia Cesarone; Alex Soboloff; Maggie Biglan; Savannah Montague; Quinn Durso; Morgan Robinson; Celeste Brown; Madhura Boominathan; Hannah Emtage; Lena Cathcart; Ellen Muganyizi; Jemma Bleu Greenbaum; Sadie Michaels; Cailyn Williams.
Outlook: “I am hoping to have a successful season through strong leadership, a unified team and perservance.”
Germantown Academy
Head coach: Jonathan Freeman
Years coaching: 2 years
Last year’s record: 10-8, 7-5
Returning players: Jessica Wang, Ava Toren, Clarrisa Smith, Gina Melograno, Grace Petersohn, Ellee Segal, Maisy Betancourt, Elaine Li, Elena Lin.
Gwynedd Mercy Academy
Coach: Guadalupe Prince
Years coaching: 17
Last year’s record: 7-2
Players returning: Singles, Elise Hill, Sr.; Olivia Spector, Sr.; Annie Boyle, Jr.; Doubles Charlotte Ormond, Sr,; Angelina Splendido, Jr.
Top newcomers: Mia Urie, Soph.; Beatrice Lemanowicz, Sr.; Paige Herzog, Fr.; Mariah Stefkovic, Fr.
Outlook: “This is my 17th year as a Tennis Coach at Gwynedd Mercy Academy; I feel very optimist and positive,” Prince said. “The group of players we’ve got this year is pretty good, they have a good level of tennis, more of them have been practicing individually off season to keep improving their levels looking forward to recovering the championship title. We are making the final adjustments. During the previous practices we have observed a really quick integration for the whole team old and new players into the team as well as the firm commitment of the last year players to make this year a very successful year.”
Jenkintown
Head coach: Tim Wozniak
Years coaching: 2
Last year’s record: 8-6, 4-4
Returning players: Emma Greenleaf, Sam Zazulak, Evan McCall, Marta Neiditch, Kathryn McGettigan, Savannah Luig, Catherine Smith, Savanna Morrin, Malaika Mbithi, Karen Jackson, Brenna Callahan, Galadriel Newman, Dawn Kotasenski, Annie Wilson, Evita Gomez
Top newcomers: Julia Walsh, Leila Chackin, Bike Asenbekova, Cynthia Leech, Scarlett Luig
Mount St. Joe’s
Head coach: Joy Grafenstine
Years coaching: 8
Last year’s record: AACA Champions, undefeated record
Players returning: Dylan Conroy, Beth Murray, Megan Martin
Outlook: “I think we are going to have a good year, I believe we will have another competitive team.”
North Penn
Head coach: Renee Di Domizio, 2nd Season
Last year’s record: 6-3
Returning starters: Dakota Williams, Sr.; Sanjana Jacob, Sr., Guna Krita, Soph.; Ranjith Kumar, Soph.; Cassandra Alling, Sr.; Madelyn Juckniewitz, Sr.; Saanyi Patel, Soph.; Ashley Yu, Soph.; Molly Agriss, Sr.
Top newcomers: Madeline Adarayan, Soph.; Vedika Deshpande, Soph.; Karlyn Juckniewitz, Jr.; Alison Arnaiz, Soph.; Jamie Seo, Sr.
Key losses: Esha Velaga, defending PIAA 3A champ; Cathryn Juckniewitz.
Outlook: “A building year for sure with not a whole lot of varsity returning. This team is hard-working and learning quickly what they need to do to improve each day.
Pennridge
Coach: Joseph D’Aiuto
Years coaching: 9th year
Last year’s record: 7-4
Players returning: Yvan Phan at No. 1 Singles; Sadie Myers, Jr.; Carliegh Aller, Jr.; Maddie Foster, Jr.
Outlook: “Pennridge looks to strengthen the program with a young group this year. We are all about spreading the love for the game of tennis. This will be our 5th straight year with over 35 players at all levels of play.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh
Coach: Al Collins
Years coaching: 13 years
Last year’s record: 4-7
Players returning: Hope Nasatir, No. 1 singles
Top newcomers: Ashlyn Dubin 2nd-year player, substantial improvement from last season.
Quakertown
Head coach: Jennifer Wolfe
Years coaching: First
Players returning: Jill Fiorello, Sr.; Sara Steelesmith, Soph.; Melody Lin, Soph.; Emily Eichlin, Jr.
Top newcomers: Kavai Sieger, Soph.
Outlook: The Panthers are young, but should be able to compete in the always tough SOL Liberty.
Souderton
Head coach: Josh Myers.
Years coaching: 5
Last year’s record: 6-5, 0-5
Players returning: Amanda Yang, Jr.; Avantika Manna, Soph.; Ava Saydam, Sr.; Emily Bucher, Sr.; Renae Benner, Sr.; Kendra Yerer, Jr.
Top newcomers: Yuktha Bunatavula, Fr.; Amelia Haworth, Sr.; Lily Hassett, Jr.; Leiki Smith, Jr.
Outlook: “After a disappointing league record last year, we look to bounce back,” Myers said. “We return our top two singles players and will look to fill the gaps left by six graduating seniors. Our doubles teams will be largely comprised of upperclassmen with new underclassmen competing. We are an athletic team this year and hope that helps us compete with some of the powerhouses in the conference.”
William Tennent
Coach: Marc Anmuth
Years coaching: Three years
Last year’s record: 2-12
Returning players: Lauren Rommel, Carolina Lopez, Kushi Patel, Emily Moran, Alyssa Kurz, Christina Bonhage, Kristen Martinez.
Top newcomers: Valarie Lewan
Outlook: Numbers are up and so is the outlook for the Panthers.
Wissahickon
Head coach: Mary Ellen Devlin
Years coaching: 12
Returning players: Yiyi Huang, soph.; Saachi Mehta, Sr.; Claira Baldasano, Sr.; Tiffany Chen, Sr.; Vanessa Urzua, Sr.
Top newcomers: Nicolette Agassi, freshman; Hannah Yum, Soph.; Aspeen Deems, Soph.
Outlook: Once again the Trojans should be a top team in the SOL. Their matchup with Upper Dublin looms, which should determine the Liberty champs.
Upper Dublin
Coach: Lora Ball
Years coaching: 2nd season
Last year’s record: 6-7 (2nd in league)
Players returning: Michelle Diamond, Mariana Locati, Nyla Mathew, Kaelin Penna, Raegan Penna, Julia Perkins, Ciara Peyton, Maddie St. Pierre, Ava Trauger, Megan Quan, Brie Watlington, Eva Yang
Top newcomers: Katie Lydzinski
Outlook: “UD’s singles are solid and ready to compete. After graduating five seniors, doubles has big sneakers to fill, but are up for the challenge.”
Upper Merion
Head coach: Tyler Triolo
Years coaching: First
Last year’s record: 3-8
Returning players: Chloe Doan; Adele Eaton.
Outlook: “We are excited for the upcoming season,” Triolo said. “The team is a great blend of returning players and new talented players coming in. We have a competitive schedule in and out of conference and are looking to improve our record from last year. Our goal is to no only enjoy the competition, but to be competitive in the PAC this year. We have a great team culture and are looking forward to a successful season.”
