The Pennsylvania College of Technology women’s tennis and men’s cross-country teams begin their seasons this week while men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball squads went a combined 2-3 in action over the weekend.
Women’s Tennis
Coach Robert Kemrer returns for his fourth season with just three returning players from last year’s squad that finished 2-8 overall. They are sophomores Autumn Macinnis, of Trout Run; Melissa Stabley, of Cogan Station; and Brooke Reed, of Hamburg.
Penn College opens its season Tuesday at Baptist Bible College. It will play six nonconference fall matches and then play seven more matches in the spring in the North Eastern Athletic Conference.
“We hope to be a little more competitive than last season,” Kemrer said, noting that he is counting on the experience of his three returnees to accomplish that.
“I am definitely looking for them to show a lot of leadership qualities, to be able to help the other ladies get a feel for how things are going to work and to help them take their games to the next level,” the coach said.
Each match will feature a format that includes six singles and three doubles events.
Cross-Country
Quite unexpectedly, Mike Paulhamus, who guided the Wildcats for 13 seasons before stepping aside a year ago, was hired less than a week ago to serve as the interim coach for David Mendez, who has taken a leave of absence this year.
“I stepped off the boat last Sunday (after a cruise to Alaska) … I signed (to coach) Wednesday and we had a practice Thursday before the long weekend,” Paulhamus said.
“But I am fortunate. I have a senior on the team, Dan Flynn (of Blairstown, New Jersey), who was with me for two years before I resigned, and he ran the team from day one when the kids returned to school. He’s been doing the same workouts I would have scheduled. He knew exactly what I do. … And they (runners) actually are in pretty decent shape.”
Penn College begins a six-meet nonconference schedule Saturday at the Penn State Abington Invitational. After those meets, it will compete for the first time in the NEAC Championships and then in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships in Syracuse, New York.
Other than Flynn, the only returnee on the men’s team is Nathan Mashack, a sophomore from Bloomsburg. Freshmen will fill the rest of the spots on an eight-man roster.
To date, no women have worked out with the squad, but Paulhamus said three are expected to join the team on Tuesday and he hopes another three will be in the fold in time for Saturday’s opener.
“We’re in a brand-new league and I’m not familiar with what this league offers. It’s all a brand-new experience and it’s actually kind of exciting,” Paulhamus said. “After the first couple of meets, I’ll know where we are headed. … At the end of September, I’ll have a better idea where we are going to be.”
“We’re excited to have coach Paulhamus help us out this season,” said director of athletics Scott Kennell. “He’s one of the most decorated coaches in Penn College history and I know he will do well stepping in for coach Mendez.”
Paulhamus has been one of the most successful coaches at Penn College since starting in 2001. He was named Men’s Cross-Country Coach of the Year 10 times and Women’s Cross-Country Coach of the Year twice. From 2003-12, his men’s teams were undefeated and claimed 10 consecutive conference championships. In 2009, the Wildcat men had their best finish under Paulhamus as the USCAA National runners-up.
Men’s Soccer
In its season opener Friday, John Michael Sabga, of Diego Martin, Trinidad, scored in the 110th minute (second overtime) off a pass from Tarik Laroche, of Milton, as the Wildcats edged Baptist Bible College, 1-0. Keeper Hector Guerrero, of Mexico City, Mexico, made four saves to record the shutout. Penn College outshot Baptist Bible, 22-8, but struggled to get shots on goal with only 13.
Women’s Soccer
After an evenly played first half that ended with the score 1-all, Rosemont College exploded in the second half with seven goals en route to an 8-2 win over Penn College on Friday. Scoring goals for the Wildcats were Hailee Hartman, of Lampeter, at 15:39, and Valeria Passalacqua, of McAlisterville, at 86:31. Penn College managed just seven shots on goal to 23 for Rosemont.
Women’s Volleyball
Facing crosstown rival Lycoming College in its opener, Courtney Gernert, of Palmyra, notched 10 of her team’s 22 kills but Penn College lost, 3-1, Friday. The Lady Wildcats started off slow losing the first set 25-9, before battling in the next three 14-25, 25-19, 15-25. Sophie Coldsmith, of Gettysburg, notched 17 assists and Gernert had 11 of the Wildcats’ 39 digs.
Right back in action Saturday, Penn College fell to Wilkes University, 3-1 (17-25, 19-25, 25-19, 24-26), before beating Baptist Bible College, 3-0 (25-22, 30-28, 25-55). Against Wilkes, Gernert had 16 kills and 17 digs while Coldsmith tallied 35 assists. Against Baptist Bible, Gernert added 10 kills and Samantha Pogash, of St. Clair, had 21 digs.
PENN COLLEGE SCHEDULES/RECORDS
Men’s Soccer
Overall record: 1-0
Friday, Aug. 29 –at Baptist Bible College, W, 1-0 (2 OT)
Tuesday, Sept. 2 – host Alfred State College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 – at SUNY IT, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 7 – at SUNY Cobleskill, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 10 – at Lycoming College, 5 p.m. (Battle for the Lumber)
Women’s Soccer
Overall record: 0-1
Friday, Aug. 29 – host Rosemont College, L, 8-2
Thursday, Sept. 4 – host Baptist Bible College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 – at SUNY IT, noon
Sunday, Sept. 7 – at SUNY Cobleskill, noon
Tuesday, Sept. 9 – host Alfred University, 7 p.m.
Women’s Volleyball
Overall record: 1-2
Friday, Aug. 29 – host Lycoming College, L, 3-1 (9-25, 14-25, 25-19, 15-25)
Saturday, Aug. 30 – host Wilkes University, L, 3-1 (17-25, 19-25, 25-19, 24-26)
Saturday, Aug. 30 – host Baptist Bible College, W, 3-0 (25-22, 30-28, 25-55)
Wednesday, Sept. 3 – host Keystone College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 – host Penn State Harrisburg, 10 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 – host King’s College, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 17 – host Alfred State College, 7 p.m.
Men’s Tennis
Tuesday, Sept. 23 – host Misericordia University, 4 p.m.
Women’s Tennis
Tuesday, Sept. 2 – at Baptist Bible College, 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 – at Wilkes University, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 16 – at Misericordia University, 4 p.m.
Cross-Country
Saturday, Sept. 6 – at Penn State Abington, 8:30 a.m. women; 9:30 a.m. men
Saturday, Sept. 13 – Cougar Classic at Dallas, Pa., 10:30 a.m. women; 11:15 a.m. men
Saturday, Sept. 20 – at Dickinson College Invitational, 10:30 a.m.
Golf
Sunday-Monday, Sept. 21-22 – at Penn State Harrisburg Invitational, 11:30 a.m.
Women’s Tennis
Coach Robert Kemrer returns for his fourth season with just three returning players from last year’s squad that finished 2-8 overall. They are sophomores Autumn Macinnis, of Trout Run; Melissa Stabley, of Cogan Station; and Brooke Reed, of Hamburg.
Penn College opens its season Tuesday at Baptist Bible College. It will play six nonconference fall matches and then play seven more matches in the spring in the North Eastern Athletic Conference.
“We hope to be a little more competitive than last season,” Kemrer said, noting that he is counting on the experience of his three returnees to accomplish that.
“I am definitely looking for them to show a lot of leadership qualities, to be able to help the other ladies get a feel for how things are going to work and to help them take their games to the next level,” the coach said.
Each match will feature a format that includes six singles and three doubles events.
Cross-Country
Quite unexpectedly, Mike Paulhamus, who guided the Wildcats for 13 seasons before stepping aside a year ago, was hired less than a week ago to serve as the interim coach for David Mendez, who has taken a leave of absence this year.
“I stepped off the boat last Sunday (after a cruise to Alaska) … I signed (to coach) Wednesday and we had a practice Thursday before the long weekend,” Paulhamus said.
“But I am fortunate. I have a senior on the team, Dan Flynn (of Blairstown, New Jersey), who was with me for two years before I resigned, and he ran the team from day one when the kids returned to school. He’s been doing the same workouts I would have scheduled. He knew exactly what I do. … And they (runners) actually are in pretty decent shape.”
Penn College begins a six-meet nonconference schedule Saturday at the Penn State Abington Invitational. After those meets, it will compete for the first time in the NEAC Championships and then in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships in Syracuse, New York.
Other than Flynn, the only returnee on the men’s team is Nathan Mashack, a sophomore from Bloomsburg. Freshmen will fill the rest of the spots on an eight-man roster.
To date, no women have worked out with the squad, but Paulhamus said three are expected to join the team on Tuesday and he hopes another three will be in the fold in time for Saturday’s opener.
“We’re in a brand-new league and I’m not familiar with what this league offers. It’s all a brand-new experience and it’s actually kind of exciting,” Paulhamus said. “After the first couple of meets, I’ll know where we are headed. … At the end of September, I’ll have a better idea where we are going to be.”
“We’re excited to have coach Paulhamus help us out this season,” said director of athletics Scott Kennell. “He’s one of the most decorated coaches in Penn College history and I know he will do well stepping in for coach Mendez.”
Paulhamus has been one of the most successful coaches at Penn College since starting in 2001. He was named Men’s Cross-Country Coach of the Year 10 times and Women’s Cross-Country Coach of the Year twice. From 2003-12, his men’s teams were undefeated and claimed 10 consecutive conference championships. In 2009, the Wildcat men had their best finish under Paulhamus as the USCAA National runners-up.
Men’s Soccer
In its season opener Friday, John Michael Sabga, of Diego Martin, Trinidad, scored in the 110th minute (second overtime) off a pass from Tarik Laroche, of Milton, as the Wildcats edged Baptist Bible College, 1-0. Keeper Hector Guerrero, of Mexico City, Mexico, made four saves to record the shutout. Penn College outshot Baptist Bible, 22-8, but struggled to get shots on goal with only 13.
Women’s Soccer
After an evenly played first half that ended with the score 1-all, Rosemont College exploded in the second half with seven goals en route to an 8-2 win over Penn College on Friday. Scoring goals for the Wildcats were Hailee Hartman, of Lampeter, at 15:39, and Valeria Passalacqua, of McAlisterville, at 86:31. Penn College managed just seven shots on goal to 23 for Rosemont.
Women’s Volleyball
Facing crosstown rival Lycoming College in its opener, Courtney Gernert, of Palmyra, notched 10 of her team’s 22 kills but Penn College lost, 3-1, Friday. The Lady Wildcats started off slow losing the first set 25-9, before battling in the next three 14-25, 25-19, 15-25. Sophie Coldsmith, of Gettysburg, notched 17 assists and Gernert had 11 of the Wildcats’ 39 digs.
Right back in action Saturday, Penn College fell to Wilkes University, 3-1 (17-25, 19-25, 25-19, 24-26), before beating Baptist Bible College, 3-0 (25-22, 30-28, 25-55). Against Wilkes, Gernert had 16 kills and 17 digs while Coldsmith tallied 35 assists. Against Baptist Bible, Gernert added 10 kills and Samantha Pogash, of St. Clair, had 21 digs.
PENN COLLEGE SCHEDULES/RECORDS
Men’s Soccer
Overall record: 1-0
Friday, Aug. 29 –at Baptist Bible College, W, 1-0 (2 OT)
Tuesday, Sept. 2 – host Alfred State College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 – at SUNY IT, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 7 – at SUNY Cobleskill, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 10 – at Lycoming College, 5 p.m. (Battle for the Lumber)
Women’s Soccer
Overall record: 0-1
Friday, Aug. 29 – host Rosemont College, L, 8-2
Thursday, Sept. 4 – host Baptist Bible College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 – at SUNY IT, noon
Sunday, Sept. 7 – at SUNY Cobleskill, noon
Tuesday, Sept. 9 – host Alfred University, 7 p.m.
Women’s Volleyball
Overall record: 1-2
Friday, Aug. 29 – host Lycoming College, L, 3-1 (9-25, 14-25, 25-19, 15-25)
Saturday, Aug. 30 – host Wilkes University, L, 3-1 (17-25, 19-25, 25-19, 24-26)
Saturday, Aug. 30 – host Baptist Bible College, W, 3-0 (25-22, 30-28, 25-55)
Wednesday, Sept. 3 – host Keystone College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 – host Penn State Harrisburg, 10 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 – host King’s College, 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 17 – host Alfred State College, 7 p.m.
Men’s Tennis
Tuesday, Sept. 23 – host Misericordia University, 4 p.m.
Women’s Tennis
Tuesday, Sept. 2 – at Baptist Bible College, 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6 – at Wilkes University, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 16 – at Misericordia University, 4 p.m.
Cross-Country
Saturday, Sept. 6 – at Penn State Abington, 8:30 a.m. women; 9:30 a.m. men
Saturday, Sept. 13 – Cougar Classic at Dallas, Pa., 10:30 a.m. women; 11:15 a.m. men
Saturday, Sept. 20 – at Dickinson College Invitational, 10:30 a.m.
Golf
Sunday-Monday, Sept. 21-22 – at Penn State Harrisburg Invitational, 11:30 a.m.
No. 3