Third-year head coach Dave Straub is preparing for the upcoming 2025-26 women’s tennis season at Penn College with a roster that includes four returning players and four incoming freshmen. The team will begin its season at the King’s Invitational on Saturday and Sunday. Last year, the Wildcats finished with a 2-15 overall record, including 2-7 in United East Conference play.
Straub, who holds a career coaching record of 6-24, will lead a squad featuring senior Lauren Peck of South Williamsport (3-1 singles, 2-2 doubles last season), junior Faith Murray of Dillsburg (9-4 singles, 4-9 doubles), senior Kathryn Burnett of Wellsboro (0-2 singles, 0-2 doubles), and sophomore Eliza Welshans of Jersey Shore (2-4 singles, 1-4 doubles). Key departures from last year’s team include Ellen Buckley and Kayla Weinzierl.
Newcomers to the program are freshmen Leah Vest of Muncy, Kiera Wene of Ephrata, Abigale Rearich of New Freedom, and Jayden Smith from Niagara Falls, N.Y. Peck is expected to move into the No. 1 singles position while Murray advances to No. 2 as part of a rebuilding effort that relies on significant contributions from first-year players.
“By the end of the fall season, I want all the freshmen to feel comfortable and that they are a solid, essential part of the team,” Straub said.
In conference news, Penn State Harrisburg enters as the two-time defending champion among ten teams set to compete in the spring United East season.
