Penn College Men’s Tennis Season Opening

Published 03.23.2014

News
Athletics
Wildcat Weekly

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s first men’s tennis team is set to take to the court Tuesday at Baptist Bible College and coach Robert Kemrer is counting on three returning starters from what previously had been a co-ed team to lead the way.



Opening at No. 1 and No. 2 singles for the Wildcats will be either Nathan Scott, of Canton, Conn., or Jordan Rodgers, of Biglerville. A year ago last fall, when men and women competed together on the college squad, Scott was No. 1 and Rodgers No. 3. The other returning player is Chris Morrin, of Morrisville, who will see action at No. 3 singles.

Joining them and filling out the Nos. 3-6 singles positions are freshmen Taylor Herb, of Sunbury; James Jeffries, of Bedford; and Noah Stahl, also of Sunbury.

Doubles teams for the opener will consist of Scott-Rodgers at No. 1, Morrin-Jeffries at No. 2 and Stahl-Herb at No. 3.

“All-in-all, it looks like we’ve got a pretty solid team,” Kemrer said. “We’re really looking to compete against some of the (NCAA) Division III schools we’re playing.”

The biggest adjustment for high school players stepping into college, according to the coach, is “being able to stay calm and mentally how to deal with things; realize they’re not at the top level like when they were seniors. It’s real easy to be overwhelmed sometimes.”

Transitioning from a co-ed team to separate women’s (in the fall) and men’s (in the spring) teams has been a process for Kemrer, as well.

“Before, I had a lot of diversity, like I could have the guys help the girls whereas now, the girls are relying strictly on their female teammates to help them improve, and the same with the men. I feel like that is a tougher thing, in general, to get used to,” he said.

The key for the future of both teams, Kemrer said, “is going to be recruiting. We’ve been recruiting really hard this year … We’re hoping to get some new freshmen in who are coming to college with tennis more in mind.”

“We’re excited to get going. Hopefully, the weather will start getting better pretty soon,” the coach added.

Baseball/Softball
Games for both teams scheduled for Saturday were postponed.

In a preseason poll of PSUAC softball coaches, Penn College was picked to finish fifth among 10 teams. Teams and points they were awarded in the poll include: Penn State Beaver (21), Penn State Mont Alto (31), Penn State Hazleton (33), Penn State New Kensington (52), Penn College (57), Penn State Schuylkill (60), Penn State Fayette (61), Penn State Brandywine (67), Penn State Greater Allegheny (72) and Penn State Scranton (93).

Also, it was announced that junior baseball player Zachary Buterbaugh, of Conestoga, and freshman softball player Jessica Gmerek, of Bellefonte, were named PSUAC Hitters of the Week for the period ending March 16.

PENN COLLEGE SCHEDULES/RECORDS
Baseball
Overall record: 6-2
Saturday, March 22 – host Baptist Bible College at Bowman Field (2), ppd.
Tuesday, March 25 – host Mansfield University at Bowman Field (2), 2 p.m.
Thursday, March 27 – host Alfred (N.Y.) State at Bowman Field (2), 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 29 -- at Penn State Greater Allegheny (2), 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 30 – at Penn State Scranton (2), noon
Tuesday, April 1 – at Alfred (N.Y.) State (2), 2 p.m.

Softball
Overall record: 3-5
Saturday, March 22 – at Elmira (N.Y.) College (2), ppd.
Wednesday, March 26 – host Wilson College at Elm Park (2), 2 p.m
Saturday, March 29 – at Penn State Greater Allegheny (2), 2 p.m
Thursday, April 3 – host Penn State Hazleton at Elm Park (2), 2 p.m.

Men’s Tennis
Tuesday, March 25 – at Baptist Bible College, 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 27 – host Keystone College, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 30 – at Wilkes University, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 1 – host Susquehanna University, 4 p.m.

Archery
March 29-30 – Northeast Collegiate Tournament at Storrs, Conn.

No. 31