Several talented players returning for area girls tennis teams
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By Nate Ritchey
nritchey@altoonamirror.com
The Altoona Mirror coverage area is primed to be a good one for both teams and individuals in girls tennis this fall.
Hollidaysburg went 21-1 last season and, despite losing two of its top three players, returns plenty of experience and talent to defend the District 4-6 Class 3A team crown.
The Lady Tigers welcome back Altoona Mirror first-team sophomore Crosby Denis, who advanced to the 3A championship in singles play and won the doubles title, and sophomore Grace Muriceak, who was honorable mention.
Central returns plenty of talent that could lead to one of the best seasons in school history.
First-team senior Julia Ritchey teamed up with second-team senior Brooklyn Coppersmith to claim the District 6 Class 2A doubles title.
Central Cambria, which fell in the title match of the District 6 Class 2A team championship, welcomes back first-teamer Marley Ratchford, who beat Ritchey for the District 6 Class 2A singles crown last season.
Also returning for the Lady Red Devils is second-team junior Lydia Paskowski and honorable mention member, senior Allie Morgan.
Altoona has back two Mirror second-team members in Bella Graham and Courtney Irwin, while Tyrone has 11 experienced players returning among its 15 on the roster.
The following is a capsulized look at the girls tennis teams in the Mirror's core coverage area:
Altoona
Coach: Jake Colledge, fourth year
Career record: 65-35
Last year's record: 10-3
Conference: Independent
Returning starters: Seniors--Oriana Dent, Isabella Graham, Courtney Irwin, Triumph Kilmartin. Sophomores--Evelyn (Andie) Adams, Skylar Irwin.
Other returners: Seniors--Madison Marketta, Kaylee Swain, Mary Worley.
Newcomers: Juniors--Isabella Holmberg, Melissa Krainer, Miyah McDonough. Sophomores--Mariah Harris, Emilee Vo. Freshmen--Natalie Baker, Ryleigh Campbell, Audrey Douglas, Emma Hovan, Claire Long, Adalia Lopez-Oakes, Addison Mitchell, Ava Williams.
Strengths: "Experience. We have a solid foundation of returning starters in Bella Graham, Courtney Irwin, Andie Adams and Skylar Irwin who have a lot of match play experience. The addition of freshmen Emma Hovan and Addison Mitchell will join seniors Oriana Dent, Kaylee Swain, Triumph Kilmartin, Mary Worley and Madison Marketta to the lineup. We are also excited about the number of newcomers to the program and their development.''
Concerns: "Weather and forming doubles teams.''
Overall outlook: "As always, we look to compete and win District 6 titles and advance to the state playoffs.''
Assistant coaches: Miriam Colledge, Kristen Lucas, Brett Mitchell
Central
Coach: Shaun Coppersmith, second year
Career record: 10-7
Last year's record: 10-7
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Brooklyn Coppersmith, Julia Ritchey. Juniors--Kate Dunn, Zoe Grill. Sophomores--Breslyn Beech, Taryn Walters.
Other returners: Juniors--Lila Kyle, Abbi Smith, Brooke Smith. Sophomores--Gabby Decker, Aubry Eckman.
Newcomers: Freshmen--Kaylee Barroner, Erin Brumbaugh, Hailey Fries, Violet Hale, Laura Longwell, Kara Weidlich.
Strengths: "I feel our biggest strength this season is that we have pretty much the same starters that we had last year. We only lost one starter last season and the girls have another season under their belt. We have a lot of girls at the top and bottom that are close in playing ability. That makes it nice and gives you confidence to move them up a spot if a player is out.''
Concerns: "The only concern that I really have is that we stay focused and healthy until the season is over. Once the season starts, we play three matches a week, and that can really wear the girls down. So, the hardest thing is to finish the season strong.''
Overall outlook: "I think this could be one of the best teams that our program has had in a long time. Last year, we had two girls win starting spots that were very young to the game and only have been hitting for over a year. We were a pretty young team last year so our main goal was to just get better every time we stepped on the court. That is still our goal day-in, day-out. Last year we finished in the top four in the LHAC and lost in the first round as the No. 2 seed in the District 6 playoffs. So, the girls made it their goal to win the District 6 title this season.''
Assistant coach: Paul Keller
Central Cambria
Coach: Kim Cavalier, ninth year
Career record: 114-20
Last year's record: 11-4
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Seniors--Ally Morgan, Marley Ratchford. Junior--Lydia Paskowski. Sophomores--Madison Deitz, Taryn Ream.
Other returners: None
Newcomers: Freshmen--Leah Bowersox, Kat Kubat, Chloe Sandoval, Daisy Smith.
Strengths: "We have four strong returning starters who have been playing and have the experience we need to take us into the season. We are excited to see how our newer players' progress. A few have played before and are eager to get started.''
Concerns: "We have a smaller team this year with our roster being made up of a few players who are new to the sport and haven't played competitively.''
Overall outlook: "With our top four returning starters, we feel we can be competitive. We are excited to get started and see how we progress and grow through the 2024 season. We are looking forward to having a great season.''
Assistant coach: Shane McGregor
Hollidaysburg
Coach: Brian Denis, 24th year
Career record: 627-122
Last year's record: 21-1
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Sarah Neatrour. Sophomores--Crosby Denis, Grace Muriceak.
Other returners: Seniors--Lily Grosser, Katie Klingner, Grier Morris, Meghan Nelson, Sarah Urban, Sophia Zangrilli. Sophomores--Taylor Eardley, Emma Mortiz, Olivia Panaro, Sandy Zheng.
Newcomers: Junior--Anh Chau. Freshmen--Jillian Buffone, Claire Cummings, Selina Dong, Brooklyn Klingner, Diana Rybka, Rina Stiffler, Adele Theys, Lainey Williams.
Strengths: "Great senior leadership from our seven seniors. Attitudes and willingness to get better every day have been awesome. The girls have really good team chemistry and work well together. We have a lot of players who played in varsity matches last year even though they technically weren't starters.''
Concerns: "Replacing four extremely talented players that graduated -- two of which are playing college tennis. Hoping our schedule is competitive enough to have us peaking around playoff time. Our opponents' roster sizes are very small, so trying to find opportunities for all 22 players to get some match experience.''
Overall outlook: "Last year was one of the best seasons we have ever had as we earned the Laurel Highlands championship, District team championship and district doubles title. We will have to work extremely hard all season to try to replicate last year. We have some huge openings in our roster to fill, and time will tell if we put in enough work in the offseason to reach our goals. Navigating the larger schools in District 6 will again be tough, but by the end of the season, we hope to be one of the best schools in the state for our enrollment.''
Assistant coach: Amanda Denis
Tyrone
Coach: Randy Irvin, 12th year
Career record: 108-180
Last year's record: 6-8
Conference: Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference
Returning starters: Senior--Emma Witkamp. Junior--Nicole Ramsey. Sophomore--Ezri Bumgarner.
Other returners: Senior--Mariah Miles. Juniors--Emily Christofer, Bella Laird, Jamis Maceno, Jenna Watson. Sophomores--Jocelyn Diehl, Cassidy Fleck, Grace Zimmerman.
Newcomers: Seniors--Maryiah Hunter, Cami Weyer. Junior--Aliyah Smith. Sophomore--Ava Cunningham.
Strengths: "We have 11 returning players from last year's team and a total of 15 girls on the team. We have a very athletic and hardworking group of girls. The new girls are all picking up the game very quickly, and this will give our team some additional depth.''
Concerns: "Our biggest concern is getting the girls ample court time because of the weather and our very early match schedule.''
Overall outlook: "We are excited to get out and play some tennis against other schools.''
Assistant coaches: Dawn Irvin, Jim Klesius