Vikings' Tennis Team Looks to Get Back to 2009's Championship Form

This year, head coach Jennifer Dixon's feelings are reminscent of those she had during August 2009's marathon -- 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- practice days.

In that season, Dixon had a feeling during camp that something special was on the horizon. True to that, Perkiomen Valley tore through the regular season with an unbeaten record, claiming the Pioneer Athletic Conference tennis championship in school history.

“In ‘09 we had some girls that had incredible seasons,” said Dixon. “We have a similar feeling going into this year. We are a little young, but some of our upperclassmen, who will be a big part of our success or failure this year, were on that squad and saw what it takes to win a championship.”

Dixon and her young guns will miss the skill and leadership of someone such as Jess MacPhee, who will be playing for New Haven University. MacPhee, who only suffered two defeats in her entire high school career, also anchored a doubles team with Emily Wendel last season.

“We are in a little bit of a rebuilding process," said Dixon. “But you never know until the season gets under way what other teams have. Phoenixville, Spring-Ford and Boyertown are always strong, but depending on match-ups I think we have the ability to hang with any of them.”

The pressure of the owning the title of No. 1 singles player will more than likely fall on sophomore Wendel's shoulders. In camp, she has shown flashes of brilliance and consistency that are paramount when going up against what the PAC-10 opposition has to offer.

With the PAC-10 using the four singles, three doubles teams format, every point plays an integral part of the outcome of any match. It’s in the third and fourth single where the hay can be made. Dixon is hoping that the depth of a big squad, numbering more than 25 players, will the Vikings an edge.

Seniors Danielle Newbill and Abby Dove will more than likely claim the second and third singles with seniors Jeanette Wiley, Hannah Toombs and will be major contributors to the Perk Valley hopes of a second championship.

“We have a lot of good battles going on right now,” said Dixon. “The girls are playing some serious matches right now to determine pecking order. We are out here working every day, and they really have shown that they are committed to each other. There is a great team atmosphere, which in tennis is not always the case.”

The Vikings will also get a major boost and quality match time out of two juniors who are sure to record valuable points through out the season in Leona Kretzu and Vini Kumar.

“I am looking forward to the season,” added Dixon. “It’s always fun to see the girls get the results from all of their hard work. Tennis is one of those games where a point here and there often determines who wins the match.”

 8/24     Central Bucks East             4:00

8/25     @ Christopher Dock    3:45     (scrimmage)

8/30     @ Upper Perkiomen            3:30

9/1       Owen J. Roberts            3:30

9/8       @ Methacton                    3:30

9/13     Spring-Ford                 3:30

9/15     @ Phoenixville            3:30

9/20     Pottsgrove                   3:30

9/22     @ Pottstown                   3:30

9/26     North Penn                 3:30

9/27     @ Boyertown                   3:30

9/28     Pope John Paul II            3:30

Editor's note: This story has been changed to correct the spelling of Jess MacPhee's name and note that she is attending New Haven -- not Lock Haven -- University.