The Pioneer Athletic Conference tennis schedule has just gotten underway but the Lady Phantoms are already making waves, having defeated AAAA powerhouses Boyertown and Spring-Ford by identical scores of 4-3.
That being said, head coach John Zittell has a situation on his hands. Zittell has seen his program blossom in the last couple of years and with some of the PAC-10 opponents having too few girls to even field a junior varsity team, it is hard to get everybody match playing time.
“It’s unfortunate that some teams are struggling to put 11 girls on the court,” said Zittell, as his team prepared to battle Great Valley in a non-league battle. “We have gotten off to a great start, but with the weather and upcoming matches with teams that only have varsity, it is good to get the rackets in our hands and have some good matches against a good team like Great Valley.”
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Loaded with a roster that includes 11 seniors, the Phantoms are an experienced group with one goal in their collective mindset as the season gets underway: win the PAC-10.
Meghan Clark, Andie Bonner, Maddie Trainer, Mary Newman, Marlee Farbstein, Tori Teter, Addie Lazzell and Alyssa Lipcey will be heavily counted on for their leadership along with fellow seniors Hayley Connors, Jocelyn Nilson and Carly Milano.
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“It’s great we have a friendly rivalry with Phoenixville,” said Patriots coach Gerry McGrath. “We often play against each other even when we are getting ready for districts. We are so close. It’s a great asset to have for both teams.”
On Friday, sophomore Lexi Crovetti battled the Great Valley No. 1 player Colleen O’Keefe to a split in the first two sets, dropping the opener 6-2 then storming back to take set two by the same 6-2 tallies.
In other singles action, Hannah Lasure used great positioning on her first serve all match to cruise to a 6-4, 6-3 sweep of Phoenixville senior Megan Clark, while Pats senior Amanda Shannon beat senior Andie Bonner in straight sets 6-2, 6-1.
The Phantoms (2-0) got it going on the doubles side of the docket. Great Valley scored a win from the duo of Megan O’Keefe and Brinley Bartlett as they defeated the Phantoms’ No. 1 doubles team of Maddie Trainer and Mary Newman in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.
Phoenixville regained momentum, snagging a point as the duo of Marise Farbstein and Lauren Jenkins defeated Wendy Zeng and Laine Yonker by a score of 7-5, 6-4.
The combination of Phantoms senior Tori Teter and junior Stacie Miles were too much for partners senior Emily Miller and Cappy Vidingkoff to handle, as they dropped the match 1-6, 3-6, evening the team match at the time at 3-3.
“I just try to attack every match aggressively,” said young gun Lexi Crovetti. “I know I will be playing against the league’s best, but that’s the exciting part. A match like today is great because it gives you a chance to work on your game at match speed. Our seniors are great they have been so supportive and we all want to win so bad. It should be a great year.”
With matches on the horizon with Pottsgrove, who will only be fielding a varsity squad this season, and Pottstown, who are in the same boat so to speak, the Phantoms will have to remain focused and battle each other in practice to make sure they keep up their game form as they play a crucial match with Perkiomen Valley next Thursday.
“We have waited four years for this,” said senior Meghan Clark. “This is our time. We remember the great players the PAC-10 has had in the last few years especially at PV and Boyertown and Methacton. We are ready to make our move. We are really close as a team and I love the way we encourage each other. This is going to be a great season.”
Note-The Phoenixville Phantoms girls' tennis team will be holding a fund-raising car wash at STS Auto service on Saturday, Oct. 8 and will be holding a bake sale as well.
