Penn College Men's Tennis Coach Has High Hopes
Published 09.05.2016
News
Athletics
Wildcat Weekly
The season began in five fall sports for Pennsylvania College of Technology athletes last week and, this week, the men’s tennis team is set for its first action when it plays at crosstown rival Lycoming College on Monday.
Ethan Rosler, of Bloomsburg, and Austin Adams, of Center Valley, are the lone returning players from last season, when Penn College finished 2-10 overall: 1-4 in the fall and 1-6 in the spring (0-4 in North Eastern Athletic Conference play). But first-year coach John Machak has high hopes for improvement. Rosler finished fourth at No. 3 singles in the conference playoffs.
“The rest of the team is mostly incoming freshmen and we’ve got three really solid hitters ... and our new No. 1 is going to be Blake Whitmire, of Berwick. Blake was a former No. 1 in high school and was at states last year. He’s a very solid player and instantly, walking in as a freshman, he’s the clear-cut No. 1,” Machak said.
“So far, they’re all really solid hitters. A lot of the guys are freshmen, but I think we’re going to compete right away this season. These guys are all hitting well, so the outlook for men’s tennis is very, very good,” the coach added. "It’s going to be a fun season.”
FLASHBACK
Men's/Women's Cross-Country
In its season opener on Thursday at the Misericordia University Invitational, the men’s team placed fifth in a six-team field. For the Penn College men, Josh Velez, of Lewistown, ended 11th in 17:38.71 and Thomas Runner, of Elkridge, was 18th in 17:54:55. Misericordia took team honors with 24 points and was followed by Lebanon Valley, 40; King’s College, 103; Scranton, 114; Penn College, 131; and Wilkes, 133. The host school also had the top individual finisher in Alexander Fitch in 16:53.79. On the women’s side, Penn College had just two runners and couldn’t compete as a team. Wildcats Kylee Kalnas, of Easton, ended 66th and Ashley Mahaffey, of Hughesville, ended 67th.
Women's Soccer
Facing King’s College in the season opener for both teams on Thursday, King’s outshot the Wildcats, 13-3 (8-2 on goal), and scored four first-half goals in a 4-0 victory.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week, the Wildcats begin their conference season at noon Saturday hosting Penn State Abington (1-1 overall), and then host Bryn Athyn (0-1) at noon Sunday.
Last meeting vs. Penn State Abington: Robyn Beddow scored just 13 minutes into the match but Penn State Abington used goals in each half for a 2-1 win on Oct. 31, 2015.
Last meeting vs. Bryn Athyn: This will be the team’s first meeting as Bryn Athyn has just added a women’s soccer program this season.
Men's Soccer
On Friday in its opener against Westminster College, Luke McFalls, of New Oxford, gave Penn College an early 1-0 lead before the home team came back for a 2-1 win. Westminster led in shots, 14-3 (7-1 on goal), and corner kicks, 9-1.
Right back in action Saturday, also at the Westminster College Tournament, the Wildcats lost a 1-0 decision to Penn State Altoona to drop to 0-2 on the season. Penn State Altoona led in shots, 16-6 (8-2 on goal) and scored on a penalty kick in the 54th minute.
In NEAC action this week, Penn College begins its conference season at 2 p.m. Saturday hosting Penn State Abington (1-1 overall), and hosts Bryn Athyn (0-1 overall) at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Last meeting vs. Penn State Abington: Despite being outshot 25-7 (13-7 on goal), Penn College forged a 1-1 double-overtime tie on Oct. 31, 2015. Robert Klingerman scored in the second half for the Wildcats and goalkeeper Malcolm Kane made 11 saves.
Last meeting vs. Bryn Athyn: Klingerman scored in the second OT to lift Penn College to a 2-1 win on Oct. 29, 2015, snapping a six-match losing string. Trailing 0-1 at the half, an own goal by Bryn Athyn tied the match in the second half, leading to the overtime.
Women's Volleyball
In its season opener on Friday, Penn College lost at Alfred State, 3-1 (18-25, 8-25, 25-19, 14-25). Breana Hayward, of Morrisdale, led the Wildcats with nine kills while Jordyn Smeltzer, of Manchester, had seven. Smeltzer led the team with 11 digs and Lauren Slater, of Littlestown, had 11 assists.
Returning to action Saturday in a tournament at Wilkes University, Penn College went 1-2 to drop to 1-3 on the season. In a 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-19) loss to Wilkes, Slater led the Wildcats with nine assists and eight digs; in a 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 17-25, 25-20) win over Summit University, Haywood had 11 kills, Slater 26 assists and Smeltzer and Felicia Webber, of New Bloomfield, 15 digs each; and, in a 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-21) loss to Lycoming College, Slater had 16 assists and Smeltzer nine digs.
Women's Tennis
In the team’s opener on Saturday at Elmira College, Penn College lost, 9-0.
Going Pro
It was announced last week that former Penn College men’s basketball standout Kevin Laurence-El, of Milton, had signed a one-year professional contract with Baloncesto Naron of Spain's LIGA EBA league.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to play at the professional level,” Laurence-El said. “It is a dream come true.”
In two seasons at Penn College, Laurence-El, a 6-foot, 5-inch forward, scored 660 points. Last season, he scored 439 and became the first player in the men's program history to earn All-NEAC honors when he was named to the third team.
SCHEDULES/RECORDS/RESULTS
Men’s/Women’s Cross-Country
Thursday, Sept. 1 – at Misericordia Invitational, men finished 5th in a 6-team field; no women’s team
Saturday, Sept. 17 – at Penn State Abington, 9 a.m.
Men’s Soccer
Overall record: 0-2
Friday, Sept. 2 – vs. Westminster College at Westminster Tournament, L, 2-1
Saturday, Sept. 3 – vs. Penn State Altoona at Westminster Tournament, L, 1-0
Tuesday, Sept. 6 – host Keystone College, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept.10 – host Penn State Abington (NEAC), 2 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 11 – host Bryn Athyn (NEAC), 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 – at Summit University, 4 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
Overall record: 0-1
Thursday, Sept. 1 – host King’s College, L, 4-0
Wednesday, Sept. 7 – at Gwynedd Mercy University, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10 – host Penn State Abington (NEAC), noon
Sunday, Sept. 11 – host Bryn Athyn (NEAC), noon
Saturday, Sept. 17 – host Alfred State, noon
Men’s Golf
Wednesday, Sept. 14 – at Keuka College Invitational, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 – at Elizabethtown College, noon
Men’s Tennis
Monday, Sept. 5 – at Lycoming College, 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10 – host Arcadia University, 1 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 15 – at Lebanon Valley College, 3:30 p.m.
Women’s Tennis
Overall record: 0-1
Saturday, Sept. 3 – at Elmira College, L, 9-0
Saturday, Sept. 10 – host Arcadia University, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 11 – at Wilkes University, 3 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 15 – host Lycoming College, 4 p.m.
Women’s Volleyball
Overall record: 1-3
Friday, Sept. 2 – host Alfred State, L, 3-1 (18-25, 8-25, 25-19, 14-25)
Saturday, Sept. 3 – at Wilkes University Tournament vs. Wilkes, L, 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-19); vs. Summit University, W, 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 17-25, 25-20); vs. Lycoming College, L, 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-21)
Wednesday, Sept. 7 – host Penn State Schuylkill, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10 – at Penn State Brandywine Tournament vs. Penn State Brandywine, 11 a.m.; vs. Hood College, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 13 – at Gwynedd Mercy University, 7 p.m.
For more, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
Ethan Rosler, of Bloomsburg, and Austin Adams, of Center Valley, are the lone returning players from last season, when Penn College finished 2-10 overall: 1-4 in the fall and 1-6 in the spring (0-4 in North Eastern Athletic Conference play). But first-year coach John Machak has high hopes for improvement. Rosler finished fourth at No. 3 singles in the conference playoffs.
“The rest of the team is mostly incoming freshmen and we’ve got three really solid hitters ... and our new No. 1 is going to be Blake Whitmire, of Berwick. Blake was a former No. 1 in high school and was at states last year. He’s a very solid player and instantly, walking in as a freshman, he’s the clear-cut No. 1,” Machak said.
“So far, they’re all really solid hitters. A lot of the guys are freshmen, but I think we’re going to compete right away this season. These guys are all hitting well, so the outlook for men’s tennis is very, very good,” the coach added. "It’s going to be a fun season.”
FLASHBACK
Men's/Women's Cross-Country
In its season opener on Thursday at the Misericordia University Invitational, the men’s team placed fifth in a six-team field. For the Penn College men, Josh Velez, of Lewistown, ended 11th in 17:38.71 and Thomas Runner, of Elkridge, was 18th in 17:54:55. Misericordia took team honors with 24 points and was followed by Lebanon Valley, 40; King’s College, 103; Scranton, 114; Penn College, 131; and Wilkes, 133. The host school also had the top individual finisher in Alexander Fitch in 16:53.79. On the women’s side, Penn College had just two runners and couldn’t compete as a team. Wildcats Kylee Kalnas, of Easton, ended 66th and Ashley Mahaffey, of Hughesville, ended 67th.
Women's Soccer
Facing King’s College in the season opener for both teams on Thursday, King’s outshot the Wildcats, 13-3 (8-2 on goal), and scored four first-half goals in a 4-0 victory.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week, the Wildcats begin their conference season at noon Saturday hosting Penn State Abington (1-1 overall), and then host Bryn Athyn (0-1) at noon Sunday.
Last meeting vs. Penn State Abington: Robyn Beddow scored just 13 minutes into the match but Penn State Abington used goals in each half for a 2-1 win on Oct. 31, 2015.
Last meeting vs. Bryn Athyn: This will be the team’s first meeting as Bryn Athyn has just added a women’s soccer program this season.
Men's Soccer
On Friday in its opener against Westminster College, Luke McFalls, of New Oxford, gave Penn College an early 1-0 lead before the home team came back for a 2-1 win. Westminster led in shots, 14-3 (7-1 on goal), and corner kicks, 9-1.
Right back in action Saturday, also at the Westminster College Tournament, the Wildcats lost a 1-0 decision to Penn State Altoona to drop to 0-2 on the season. Penn State Altoona led in shots, 16-6 (8-2 on goal) and scored on a penalty kick in the 54th minute.
In NEAC action this week, Penn College begins its conference season at 2 p.m. Saturday hosting Penn State Abington (1-1 overall), and hosts Bryn Athyn (0-1 overall) at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Last meeting vs. Penn State Abington: Despite being outshot 25-7 (13-7 on goal), Penn College forged a 1-1 double-overtime tie on Oct. 31, 2015. Robert Klingerman scored in the second half for the Wildcats and goalkeeper Malcolm Kane made 11 saves.
Last meeting vs. Bryn Athyn: Klingerman scored in the second OT to lift Penn College to a 2-1 win on Oct. 29, 2015, snapping a six-match losing string. Trailing 0-1 at the half, an own goal by Bryn Athyn tied the match in the second half, leading to the overtime.
Women's Volleyball
In its season opener on Friday, Penn College lost at Alfred State, 3-1 (18-25, 8-25, 25-19, 14-25). Breana Hayward, of Morrisdale, led the Wildcats with nine kills while Jordyn Smeltzer, of Manchester, had seven. Smeltzer led the team with 11 digs and Lauren Slater, of Littlestown, had 11 assists.
Returning to action Saturday in a tournament at Wilkes University, Penn College went 1-2 to drop to 1-3 on the season. In a 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-19) loss to Wilkes, Slater led the Wildcats with nine assists and eight digs; in a 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 17-25, 25-20) win over Summit University, Haywood had 11 kills, Slater 26 assists and Smeltzer and Felicia Webber, of New Bloomfield, 15 digs each; and, in a 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-21) loss to Lycoming College, Slater had 16 assists and Smeltzer nine digs.
Women's Tennis
In the team’s opener on Saturday at Elmira College, Penn College lost, 9-0.
Going Pro
It was announced last week that former Penn College men’s basketball standout Kevin Laurence-El, of Milton, had signed a one-year professional contract with Baloncesto Naron of Spain's LIGA EBA league.
“I am very excited to have the opportunity to play at the professional level,” Laurence-El said. “It is a dream come true.”
In two seasons at Penn College, Laurence-El, a 6-foot, 5-inch forward, scored 660 points. Last season, he scored 439 and became the first player in the men's program history to earn All-NEAC honors when he was named to the third team.
SCHEDULES/RECORDS/RESULTS
Men’s/Women’s Cross-Country
Thursday, Sept. 1 – at Misericordia Invitational, men finished 5th in a 6-team field; no women’s team
Saturday, Sept. 17 – at Penn State Abington, 9 a.m.
Men’s Soccer
Overall record: 0-2
Friday, Sept. 2 – vs. Westminster College at Westminster Tournament, L, 2-1
Saturday, Sept. 3 – vs. Penn State Altoona at Westminster Tournament, L, 1-0
Tuesday, Sept. 6 – host Keystone College, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept.10 – host Penn State Abington (NEAC), 2 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 11 – host Bryn Athyn (NEAC), 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 – at Summit University, 4 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
Overall record: 0-1
Thursday, Sept. 1 – host King’s College, L, 4-0
Wednesday, Sept. 7 – at Gwynedd Mercy University, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10 – host Penn State Abington (NEAC), noon
Sunday, Sept. 11 – host Bryn Athyn (NEAC), noon
Saturday, Sept. 17 – host Alfred State, noon
Men’s Golf
Wednesday, Sept. 14 – at Keuka College Invitational, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 – at Elizabethtown College, noon
Men’s Tennis
Monday, Sept. 5 – at Lycoming College, 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10 – host Arcadia University, 1 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 15 – at Lebanon Valley College, 3:30 p.m.
Women’s Tennis
Overall record: 0-1
Saturday, Sept. 3 – at Elmira College, L, 9-0
Saturday, Sept. 10 – host Arcadia University, 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 11 – at Wilkes University, 3 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 15 – host Lycoming College, 4 p.m.
Women’s Volleyball
Overall record: 1-3
Friday, Sept. 2 – host Alfred State, L, 3-1 (18-25, 8-25, 25-19, 14-25)
Saturday, Sept. 3 – at Wilkes University Tournament vs. Wilkes, L, 3-0 (25-14, 25-12, 25-19); vs. Summit University, W, 3-1 (25-21, 25-20, 17-25, 25-20); vs. Lycoming College, L, 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-21)
Wednesday, Sept. 7 – host Penn State Schuylkill, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10 – at Penn State Brandywine Tournament vs. Penn State Brandywine, 11 a.m.; vs. Hood College, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 13 – at Gwynedd Mercy University, 7 p.m.
For more, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
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