Penn College tennis teams set to open
The fall sports season began for five Pennsylvania College of Technology teams last week and two more – men’s and women’s tennis – open this week.
Men’s tennis
The Wildcats are coming off a winning season after finishing 7-5 overall and 3-2 in the North Eastern Athletic Conference last season, where they reached the conference semifinals as a team and senior returnee Chris Morrin, of Morrisville, was half of a No. 1 doubles team that ended second. They open their season at 3 p.m. Saturday at Wilkes University.
“My team is looking very strong. We have two talented returners and some strong new players,” fifth-year coach Robert Kemrer said. “I do not have a roster set yet, but I am looking at Ben Leibig (sophomore, Lebanon) and Morrin to be my No. 1 and 2 singles and No. 1 doubles.”
Also returning is sophomore Seth Strickland, of Morwood.
With six freshmen on the squad, Kemrer noted, “I have a mixed team this fall. I am looking for my guys to adapt to the college level game and get stronger as our season progresses.”
“Right now I feel like we have more depth than we have in the past few seasons. I also feel that my guys are bonding very well,” the coach continued.
“Having a lot of new players is our biggest weakness at the moment, which we will overcome as the season continues and our new players improve. Staying healthy and being consistent are the two key factors for us,” Kemrer said, adding, “I am looking for us to be very competitive for our non-conference matches this fall.”
The team will play six fall matches and then return in the spring for the NEAC portion of its season.
Women’s tennis
After going 2-11 overall and 2-5 in the NEAC last season, Kemrer is looking for improvement but will need to overcome inexperience on the collegiate level in a hurry. The Wildcats open their season at 3 p.m. Saturday hosting Wilkes University.
A key returning player is junior Melissa Stabler, of Cogan Station, who finished second at No. 1 singles in the conference in the spring and was half of the doubles team that ended second at No. 1 doubles.
“We are looking to improve. We have a lot of new players,” Kemrer said, nothing that Stabley will start at either No. 1 or 2 in singles with the rest of his lineup still up in the air.
Other returning players include sophomores Morgan Blackwell, of Beech Creek; Chloe Devillars, of Bradford; Rachel Gordon, of Greencastle; Erin Jacob, of Royersford; Mikaila Lugo-Schlegel, of Lebanon; and Rachel Walker, of Lewisburg.
“I am working a mixed squad. I am looking for my returners to help my new players adapt to the college level quickly. Right now I feel our biggest strength having two strong returners (Stabley and Blackwell) who can help the new ladies improve,” Kemrer said, noting that a lack of depth is a bit of a concern.
“Our key to success this season will be to play smart and consistent tennis. I look for us to improve from last season,” he added.
The Penn College women will play seven fall non-conference matches and then resume in the spring with seven NEAC matches.
Men’s soccer
In non-conference action at home against Central Penn College on Tuesday, freshman Randy Vance, of Greenwood Lake, scored three goals in a 6-0 victory.
Two days later, at home with Summitt University, Luke McFalls, of New Oxford, tallied three times and Tarik Laroche, of Milton, scored twice in a 5-2 win. Summitt held a 16-14 advantage in shots, but Penn College made the most of its shots on goal by connecting on all five while Summitt managed to score on just two of 11.
At Alfred State on Saturday, the Wildcats fell, 2-0, snapping a two match win string, to go to 2-1 on the season. Alfred was tops in shots, 14-9, and shots on goal, 8-1.
Women’s soccer
Penn College opened with a 5-1 loss at King’s College on Tuesday. Freshman Christina Weber, of Howell, New Jersey, scored the team’s only goal in the 76th minute. King’s took 28 shots to just four for Penn College.
The Wildcats closed out their week on Saturday with a 1-1 overtime home tie with Keystone College to go to 0-1-1 on the season. Weber scored the lone Penn College goal in the 84th minute and Keystone tied it four minutes later. Penn College ended with a 30-14 shot advantage as it went to 0-1-1 on the season.
Women’s volleyball
Penn College opened with a 0-3 (12-25, 17-25, 23-25) loss at Keystone College on Tuesday.
In action on Friday at King’s College, the Wildcats fell to King’s, 0-3 (17-25, 12-25, 8-25), and Penn State Abington, 1-3 (13-25, 26-24, 16-25 and 17-25).
On Saturday in a quadrangular at Wilkes University, Penn College lost to Lycoming, 0-3 (9-25, 10-25, 14-25) and Wilkes (19-25, 15-25, 11-25) and defeated Summitt, 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 13-25, 25-13). During the 1-5 week, Stephanie Coldsmith, of Gettysburg, recorded 46 assists and 60 digs.
Cross-country
The men placed eighth in a nine-team field on Tuesday at the Misericordia University Invitational with freshman Liam McGarvey, of Cogan Station, leading the way with a 26th place finish in 19:06.45.
Also on Tuesday, only two Penn College women ran – senior Erin Sullivan, of Elizabethtown, and junior Ashley Mahaffey, of Hughesville, and both finished in the 23-plus minute range.
PENN COLLEGE SCHEDULES
Men’s, women’s cross-country
Tuesday, Sept. 1 – at Misericordia University, men finished 8th in a nine-team field. No women’s team.
Saturday, Sept. 12 – at Misericordia University, 11:15 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 – at Penn State Abington
Men’s soccer
Overall record: 2-1
Tuesday, Sept. 1 – host Central Penn College, W, 6-0
Thursday, Sept. 3 – host Summitt University, W, 5-2
Saturday, Sept. 5 – at Alfred State, L, 2-0
Sunday, Sept. 6 – at Alfred University, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 9 – at King’s College, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 11 – at Morrisville State College, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 13 – host Westminster College, noon
Friday, Sept. 18 – host Gallaudet University, 2:15 p.m.
Women’s soccer
Overall record: 0-1-1
Tuesday, Sept. 1 – at King’s College, L, 5-1
Saturday, Sept. 5 – host Keystone College, T, 1-1 OT
Sunday, Sept. 6 – host Gwynedd Mercy University, 1 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 11 – at Morrisville State College, TBA
Sunday, Sept. 13 – host Westminster College, 2 p.m.
Women’s volleyball
Overall record: 1-5
Tuesday, Sept. 1 – at Keystone College, L, 0-3 (12-25, 17-25, 23-25)
Friday, Sept. 4 – triangular at King’s College with Penn State Abington, vs. King’s, L, 1-3 (17-25, 12-25, 8-25); vs. PS Abington L, 1-3 (13-25, 26-24, 16-25, 17-25)
Saturday, Sept. 5 – quadrangular at Wilkes University with Lycoming College and Summitt University, vs. Lycoming, L (9-25, 10-25, 14-25); vs. Wilkes, L (19-25, 15-25, 11-25); vs. Summitt, W, 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 13-25, 25-13)
Wednesday, Sept. 9 – host Elmira College, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 11 – at Lycoming College Classic, TBA
Saturday, Sept. 12 – at Lycoming College Classic, TBA
Saturday, Sept. 19 – at Keuka College
Men’s tennis
Saturday, Sept. 12 – host Wilkes University, 3 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 17 – host Lebanon Valley College, 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 – host King’s College, noon
Thursday, Sept. 24 – at Misericordia University, 4 p.m.
Women’s tennis
Saturday, Sept. 12 – host Wilkes University, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 16 – at Lebanon Valley College, 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 – host King’s College, noon
Wednesday, Sept. 23 – host Summitt University, 4 p.m.
Golf
Wednesday, Sept. 16 – at Keuka College, 11 a.m.
Sunday-Monday, Sept. 20-21 – at Penn State Harrisburg
