WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- After completing their fall seasons and taking a winter break, spring play with United East Conference action gets underway for the Penn College tennis teams. The women's tennis squad steps into conference action on Saturday at Notre Dame (Md.) University, while the men open UE play next Wednesday at Penn State Harrisburg.
After a 1-6 fall campaign, coach David Straub is hopeful of more growth for his players.
In singles, senior Ellen Buckley, of Binghamton, New York, returns at No. 1; with senior Lauren Peck, of South Williamsport, at No. 2; either junior Faith Murray, of Dillsburg, or freshman Leah Vest, of Muncy, at Nos. 3 or 4; freshman Kiera Wene, of Ephrata, at No. 5; and either sophomore Eliza Welshans, of Jersey Shore, or senior Cierra Miller, of Dover, at No. 6. During the fall, Peck, Murray and Wene all posted 4-3 records, and Vest was 2-5. As a doubles team, Murray-Wene were 3-1, while in all doubles play, Murray was 4-2 and Wene 3-2.
The added depth with the return of Miller from a year ago, and the full availability of Buckley, who only played twice in the fall, causes Straub to say, "I expect us to improve."
Ten teams are competing in the UE, with the top eight during regular season matches advancing to playoffs that start on April 22, continue on April 25 and 28, and conclude on May 3. Penn State Harrisburg is the two-time defending champ. In a preseason poll, St. Mary's (Md.) College is at the top, followed by PS Harrisburg, Cairn University, Lancaster Bible College, Penn State Abington, Notre Dame (Md.) University, Penn State Berks, Penn College, Cedar Crest College and Penn State Brandywine.
On the men's side, senior Kyle Shuler, of Williamsport, will again hold down the No. 1 singles position; freshman Josh Myers, of Hughesville, will open at No. 2; senior Logan Ogden, of South Williamsport, is at No. 3; with freshman Avery Hawk, of Bermudian Springs; freshman Christian Abromovage, of Exeter; freshman Lormutor Kpangbai, of Lansdowne; junior Matt Williams, of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey; senior Frankie Gagliardi, of Pottstown; and junior Valentino Barillaro, of Selinsgrove, all vying for the four, five and six singles spots.
After a 1-3 fall record when no individual player had more than one win, looking ahead, Straub said, "We lost Jayden Manbeck, our No. 2 player from last fall, but we picked up Myers, Lycoming College's No. 2 last fall. Abromovage and Kpangbai were both outstanding high school players last year. I expect us to make the playoffs again this year and perhaps be a little higher in the rankings."
In United East play, eight teams will compete during the regular season for six spots in the playoffs that start April 25, continue April 29 and finish May 2. Penn State Harrisburg is the two-time defending champ and earned the top spot in a preseason poll. Following are St. Mary's (Md.) College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn College, Lancaster Bible College, Cairn University and Penn State Brandywine.
