Penn College Tennis Team Appears Strong Again

Two years at the helm of the Pennsylvania College of Technology coed tennis team have produced two Penn State University Athletic Conference championships for coach Aimee Plastow, and she has high hopes for this year's team, too.

Returning for the Wildcats are Shane Burridge (Ephrata), Rob Kemrer (Milton), Brad Fisher (Montoursville) and Alex Clemens (Lebanon) on the men's side and Rachel Emmons (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) and Danni Trout (Harrisburg) on the women's side.

Penn College opens its season Wednesday at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Burridge is a two-time conference singles and doubles champion, last year, he teamed with Fisher for the No. 1 men's doubles title, while Trout won the No. 2 women's singles championship and teamed with Emmons for the No. 1 women's doubles trophy a year ago. Kemrer was the best at No. 4 men's singles in 2007.

"We're still working on a lineup," Plastow said. "I anticipate both Shane and Rachel at No. 1 singles with Rob, Brad and Danni in second and third slots. The men's No. 4 singles spot is being strongly contended by Alex, Jake Kuska (Mohnton), Caleb Wise (Manheim) and Adam Groff (Washington Borough). Skill levels are so even that, on any day, these four could flip-flop.

"Add into the mix Kyle Hanjaras (Montrose), Richard Werner (Wind Gap) and Robert Beckershoff (Coatesville), and we should have interesting inter-team challenges and movements.

"The team is in the best possible shape with the depth of talent we have. We should be able to withstand injury of starters since we have so many that can move up to top positions. We have some promising freshmen who should keep PCT strong for years to come," the coach continued.

Others on the roster are Nick Mancusco (Hillsborough, N.J.), James Wheary (Philadelphia) and Jenna Walmer (Lebanon).

"It's hard to know how strong the other teams will be depending on what players are returning or joining the other teams," Plastow said.

"We have an ambitious schedule adding two NCAA Division III teams in Susquehanna University and PSU Harrisburg. Our lineup is deeper than it has ever been. We have quite a few accomplished players new to the team who should have a great career at PCT.

"We're looking forward to competition and everyone playing their best. If all goes well, we should be the top or one of top teams in the conference," the coach added.

"We can always use more women players. We had two seasons with great accomplishments, so expectation level is high. We have to remind ourselves to keep everything in perspective. Competing teams have good players and the added motivation to beat PCT. We have to practice hard and play the best we can in every match," Plastow said.

SCHEDULESeptember 8 at Penn StateWilkes-Barre, 3 p.m.; 11 at Penn State Brandywine, noon; 14 host Penn State York, 3 p.m.; 18 host Penn State Lehigh Valley, noon; 20 host Penn State Hazleton, 3 p.m.; 23 at Penn State Mont Alto, 3 p.m.; 29 at Penn State Hazleton, 3 p.m.

October2 host Penn State Brandywine, noon; 5 at Penn State Harrisburg, 3:30 p.m.; 7 host PSU Mont Alto, 3 p.m.; 9 host Penn State Lehigh Valley, noon; 12 at Penn State York, 3 p.m.; 16 host Penn State Wilkes-Barre, noon; 23-24 at PSUAC Championships, to be announced.