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Girls Tennis
2017 Fall Sports Preview

by Matt Consentino

BISHOP EUSTACE Crusaders

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Caitlin Deffler took over the No. 1 singles spot last year as a sophomore and responded with a terrific season. She was the Camden County champion, reached the round of 16 at the South Jersey Interscholastic Championships and competed in the state singles tournament, in addition to posting a 16-1 record in team matches. Senior Ashley Sorelle also qualified for the state singles tournament and had a strong season at second singles. Junior Sydney Sperling will look to move into a singles spot after playing first doubles, while senior Meaghan Bohny and sophomore Carly Reagan also return after teaming up at second doubles. Senior Caroline Jacobs is another veteran who could move into the starting lineup. Senior Courtney Bell, junior Katrina Smith and sophomores Danielle Venuto and Marissa Spambaugh will also challenge for starting positions.

OUTLOOK: The Crusaders posted a 16-1 record in 2016—with the only loss coming in the sectional semifinals—and cruised to the Olympic Conference National Division title. With Deffler leading an experienced lineup, another strong season appears likely.

 

CHEROKEE Chiefs

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Almost the entire starting lineup is back for Cherokee, led by junior Sanjana Panjala, who has played first singles the last two years. She reached the round of 16 at the South Jersey Interscholastic Championships in 2016. Senior leadership will come from four returners who played doubles last season: Kaitlyn McVeigh and Katie DeLia, who were partners at the first spot, and Lauren Juliano and Aykys Salchak, who teamed up in the second position. Junior Shreya Cheepi and sophomores Danielle DeLia and Kelly McVeigh will also challenge for starting jobs.

OUTLOOK: The Chiefs posted a 7-10 record and reached the sectional quarterfinals last year. Look for them to contend for a winning record in 2017.

 

CHERRY HILL EAST Cougars

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Cherry Hill East graduated three starters, including one of the top players in South Jersey, Stephanie Yanosov, and her twin sister Natalie. On the bright side, three sophomores who started as freshmen are eager to lead the team. Pallavi Goculdas held down the second singles spot for most of the season and also saw time at No. 1. She reached the quarterfinals of the South Jersey Interscholastic Championships and won a match at the state singles tournament, and it will be interesting to see what she can do with a year of experience under her belt. Mari Kimenker and Sanjana Doshi played second doubles together and could be candidates to move into singles spots this fall. Senior Rebekah Colacot is another key returner who has contributed at doubles the last two seasons and was part of the duo that won the title at the South Jersey Championships. Other experienced players include seniors Aditi Lohtia and Mattea Boyarsky.

OUTLOOK: The Cougars’ only loss in a memorable 20-1 season came in the state semifinals. They hope to reach their seventh straight sectional final this October.

 

CHERRY HILL WEST Lions

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Although the top two singles players graduated for Cherry Hill West, the rest of the starting lineup is back in action. That includes sophomore Keso Managadze, who earned the third singles job as a rookie and could be ready to take over the No. 1 spot. Senior Alyna Cabrera and junior Gia Toriello are also eyeing singles positions after playing first doubles together. Junior Saturn Crowley and senior Cassidy Hoch are other returning starters who were second doubles partners. Senior Kasey Thompson and junior Amy Kim will look to contribute as well.

OUTLOOK: Things are looking up for the Lions, who have solid numbers in the program and should make progress this fall.

 

CLEARVIEW Pioneers

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Change is in the air at Clearview following the graduation of five starters—including Gloucester County singles champion Grace Chell—and the retirement of Hall of Fame coach Karl Neiswender. One of the top returners is senior Chloe Simcox, who earned a county title at doubles and could move into a singles spot. Seniors Paige Simcox and Ashley Wilkinson were also part of the starting doubles rotation and will play key roles as well.

OUTLOOK: The Pioneers went 16-5, claimed the county team title for the third year in a row and extended their streak of Tri-County Conference Royal Division championships to six. Colleen Senor—the program’s first new coach since 1992—will look to continue the winning tradition with a vastly different lineup.

 

EASTERN Vikings

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Two-year first singles Chrissy Barry graduated, but the rest of the starting lineup returns for Eastern. At the top of that list is senior Bryn Caren, who moved up from doubles to second singles last year and will look to take another leap into the top spot. Junior Serena Patel is another returner at singles. Senior Noor Abdelkader and junior Renali Patel were partners at first doubles, while seniors Hayley Beluch and Bianca Gennaoui played together at second doubles.

OUTLOOK: The Vikings went 9-8 last year—a five-win improvement from the year before— and notched a playoff victory. They hope to ride that momentum into the 2017 season.

 

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC Rams

PLAYERS TO WATCH: After earning the first singles spot as a freshman, sophomore McKayla Labbree should only get better with a year of experience under her belt. Senior Laura Blaston and junior Carly Cappello are also back after playing second and third singles, respectively. Experienced doubles players include seniors Emma Billings, Taylor Rouh and Isabella Versace, along with junior Jenny Allemian and sophomore Olivia Marchei.

OUTLOOK: With the entire singles lineup back and depth at doubles, don’t be surprised to see the Rams pushing for a few more victories this fall.

 

HADDONFIELD Bulldawgs

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Olivia Alberto has played first singles for Haddonfield each of the last two years and is primed for a strong final season. She reached the round of 32 at the South Jersey Interscholastic Championships and qualified for the state singles tournament as a junior, finishing with a 24-16 record. The other two starting singles players graduated, but all four doubles players return and could challenge for singles spots. Seniors Rachel Rozenfeld and Cassidy Cao were partners at the top spot and won Camden County and Colonial Conference titles and reached the semifinals at the South Jersey Championships. They also advanced to the third round of the state doubles tournament. Senior Nina Liloia and sophomore Gillian Rozenfeld played second doubles and made the final in the South Jersey, county and conference tournaments. Other returners who will look to earn starting spots are senior Megan Burns, juniors Madison Hammel, Becca Whiting and Claire Kenny and sophomores Stella DeMarco, Anna Swartley, Christina Dante and Molly Parks. Freshman Lily Hanna could also push for varsity time.

OUTLOOK: The Bulldawgs posted a 25-7 record, extended their streak of sectional championships to 15 in a row and made it to the Group II state final in 2016. There’s no reason to expect anything less this fall.

 

KINGSWAY Dragons

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Most of the starting lineup returns for Kingsway, including all three singles players. Junior Ashley Jirik made the jump from doubles to first singles as a sophomore and should only get better as an upperclassman. Junior Madison Lanham played second singles and senior Julianna Meyer was in the third spot. Senior Jada Mack has experience at singles and doubles and is another key player for the Dragons. Senior Alyssia McNamara and junior Gillian Morganstein were partners at second doubles and could team up again.

OUTLOOK: The Dragons made strides in a 6-12 season and hope to keep improving in 2017.

 

LENAPE Indians

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Shannon McCarthy will look to cap her standout career at Lenape with a big final season. The No. 1 singles player since her sophomore year, she reached the quarterfinals of the South Jersey Interscholastic Championships and won a match at the state singles tournament in 2016. Olivia Cao played first doubles as a freshman and will certainly be in contention for a singles position as a sophomore. She was part of the team that reached the final at the Burlington County Open. Senior Christine Shi is another returning starter who played second doubles, and senior Sakshi Chopra will also look to contribute.

OUTLOOK: The Indians went 13-5 with a berth in the sectional semifinals last season. They expect to remain competitive as a team, and McCarthy should be in contention at several tournaments as well.

 

MOORESTOWN Quakers

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Senior Emily O’Neil has been a fixture in the singles lineup for Moorestown since her freshman season and figures to handle the No. 1 spot for the third year in a row. She was a quarterfinalist in the South Jersey Interscholastic Championships for the second time last fall and has high hopes for 2017. Senior Camilla Hoz de Vila and sophomore Emma Regovich had a successful season at first doubles, claiming the Burlington County crown and reaching the semifinals at the South Jersey Championships. They could be candidates to move into singles positions. Senior Maddie Sherman, junior Eliza Broder and sophomore Julia McBride are other key returners who all saw time at second doubles.

OUTLOOK: The Quakers’ amazing streak of 27 straight sectional championships came to an end in 2016, as they fell in the final and finished with a 17-6 record. They hope to get back in contention this fall.

 

MOORESTOWN FRIENDS Foxes

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Four freshmen were in the starting lineup last year for Moorestown Friends, including Renna Mohsen-Breen, who had a terrific rookie season at first singles. She went 22-4, captured the Burlington County title and reached the semifinals of the South Jersey Interscholastic Championships. She also advanced to the round of 16 at the state singles tournament before falling to eventual champion Andrea Cerdan of Paramus Catholic. Elena Styliades is another sophomore who played singles, as she held down the third spot. Senior Margaux Fox and sophomore Amanda Augustino played first doubles together, while junior Liz Huettl and sophomore Sasha Zakevat were partners at second doubles. Juniors Serena Lin and Lauren Radack and sophomores Bailey Butterworth and Julia Holliday could also challenge for starting jobs.

OUTLOOK: The Foxes’ 15-5 season featured a sectional championship and a close loss in the state semifinals. Expect them to be contenders again with the super sophomores leading the way.

 

PAUL VI Eagles

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Paul VI only graduated two seniors and one starter, so most of the lineup returns intact. Senior Liz Danovich has been a key singles player since her sophomore year and will look to fill the No. 1 slot for the second season in a row. Juniors Audrey van Schalkwyk and Morrissey Walsh are also back after playing second and third singles, respectively. Senior Lizzy Franciosa competed at first doubles, while senior Holly Thompson and junior Ava Compagnoni were partners at second doubles.

OUTLOOK: The Eagles showed improvement during a 6-14 season and the progress should continue with so many returners.

 

SENECA Golden Eagles

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Seneca graduated four starters, including the entire singles lineup, so new leaders will have to rise up this fall. Sophomore Ariana Brown earned a spot on the first doubles team as a rookie and should compete for a singles job. Seniors Sarah Moschini and Rachel Tocci are other returning starters who played second doubles together. Junior Megan Duffy and seniors Raquel Quinones and Camryn Samuel are also expected to contribute. The incoming freshmen also have some tennis experience and several could emerge as starters.

OUTLOOK: The Golden Eagles, who went 14-8 and reached the sectional semifinals last year, are consistently among the better teams in the area. They hope to remain competitive despite the losses to graduation and stay in contention for the conference title.

 

SHAWNEE Renegades

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Junior Davica Massaro has held down the second singles spot the last two seasons and will look to take over at No. 1 following the graduation of standout Caleigh Masterman. Massaro was named all-Group IV by the South Jersey Tennis Coaches Association as a sophomore. Senior Hadley Miller also returns as a starting singles player and junior Dominique Adornetto has varsity experience as well. Senior Natalie Fisher and junior Ava Meakim ended last season as partners at second doubles and will also play key roles.

OUTLOOK: The Renegades’ 12-5 season included a trip to the South Jersey Group IV semifinals. Another winning record in 2017 seems likely.

 

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP Minutemaids

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Three starters are back for Washington Township, including senior Cassie Collins, who earned the third singles spot in her first season of varsity tennis. She could be a candidate to move into the No. 1 slot this fall. Juniors Laurel DiStefano and Natalie Santangelo both started at doubles and will also play key roles, possibly at singles. Juniors Lexie Wells and Diana Chan are other returners expected to contribute.

OUTLOOK: The Minutemaids were in rebuilding mode in 2016 but hope to take a step forward as a program this season.

 

To see a complete list of our Fall Sports Schedules, click here to go to our digital edition. 

 

Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 8, Issue 5 (July, 2017). 
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