Lycoming News

David Straub enters his second season as coach of the Penn College men's and women's tennis teams with optimism, bolstered by key returning players and talented newcomers. The Wildcat men, who were 2-9 overall last year and 2-5 in the United East Conference, will open their season at 4 p.m. on Friday against Lycoming College at the Brandon Park courts. The women, who were 4-9 overall and 1-4 in conference play, begin their season at 9 a.m. on Saturday during the first day of the King's College Invitational. The men have four fall matches scheduled while the women have seven, with United East Conference play set for the spring.

On the men's side, senior Alex Norris of Williamsport returns after playing at the No. 1 singles position last fall before missing the spring season. He is joined by junior Logan Ogden of South Williamsport and sophomores Jayden Manbeck of Bernville, Matt Williams of Pompton Lakes, N.J., Hunter Knosky of Camp Hill, and Will Long of Virginia Beach, Va.

Ogden finished with a record of 5-2 in singles play last year and was named to the UE second team.

Additions to the squad include freshmen John Finnegan of Hughesville and Seth Priestman of Bloomsburg.

"One of our strengths is better depth this year, particularly on the men's squad," Straub said.

For the women’s team, junior Ellen Buckley from Binghamton, N.Y., and sophomore Faith Murray from Dillsburg return after playing singles one and three last season. They are joined by sophomore Kayla Weinzierl from Summerhill and freshmen Emlyn Kinley and Chloe Campbell from Williamsport.

"(We have) several others new to the team that also no doubt will contribute as well. If we played two teams, I think our 'B' squad against other 'B' squads would be successful," Straub said.

The coach continued: "One challenge will be fitting all the pieces together—having student-athletes getting as comfortable as possible at their spots and with their teammates. This is all connected to prep for conference play in the spring but we certainly are focused now on our fall season. I'm excited and also a little intrigued about how this will all come together. I'm feeling very positive about us."