Penn College Team-Tennis Coach Expects Squad to Challenge in PSUAC
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Last season saw Pennsylvania College of Technology rebound from a "down" 2005 in team tennis, and coach Davis Santucci thinks this year his squad has enough talent to challenge for the championship.
The Wildcats open their third season under Santucci on Wednesday at Penn State Delaware with four returnees from last year's team that posted a 7-2 record during Penn State University Athletic Conference regular-season matches.
Key returnees on the men's side are sophomores Brandon Stoner of Denver and Andrew Shaffer of South Williamsport . Top women returnees are sophomore Sarah Bastian of Mansfield and junior Angela Charcas of Deltona , Fla.
Stoner is expected to play at the No. 2 singles position for the men, behind freshman Shane Burridge of Ephrata and ahead of freshman Alex Henry of Rutherford , N.J. Shaffer is battling for the No. 4 men's singles spot with freshman Robert Kemrer of Milton .
According to Santucci, Bastian is solid at No. 1 for the Wildcat women, with Charcas vying for the No. 2 singles spot with freshman Danielle Trout of Linglestown.
In team tennis, nine points are awarded in a match. They are determined by play in four men's singles, two women's singles, two men's doubles and one women's doubles events.
"We have about the same (total) numbers as last year, 15, but the majority of them are freshman, and some of them are promising," Santucci said.
"We're looking at another promising season. I want to say we're right there at the top of our league," the coach continued, adding that Penn State Abington is the defending champion and team to beat.
"Because of all the good weather we've had, we've had practice every day and I've got them where I want them. "¦ I'm looking at going in stronger this year. "¦ At the end-of-the-year tournament, I want to make a really good showing. That's where you win the jackets and the trophy," Santucci said.
(A complete roster and season schedule are available on the college's Athletics Web site.)