The numbers on Upper Perkiomen's girls tennis team are encouraging to head Coach John Williamson. He said this year's roster includes 31 players and 22 ninth

and tenth graders.  "It's a big jump from where we have been," Williamson said. 

            The coach is hopeful the quantity will allow the Indians to continue building their program in the competitive Pioneer Athletic Conference. According to Williamson, their top three singles players are established. He said their top four doubles teams will likely remain fluid throughout the year.

            "The team is looking good," Allison Herbst, the team's only returning senior. "We have a lot of potential with so many freshmen and sophomores."

            Maddy Gochnauer will start the season at No. 1 singles. Gochnauer, a sophomore who played third singles last season, hits the ball hard, according to Williamson. He said she has been working hard on improving her consistency. "Maddy can hit a variety of shots," Williamson said.

            Sophomore Skylar Gianfriddo, who played second doubles as a ninth grader, will compete at No. 2 singles.

            "Skyler hits the ball hard for her size," the coach said. "Her game has gotten a lot more consistent. She needs to become more consistent."

            Herbst, a co-captain with Gochnauer who will play at No. 3 singles after playing doubles the last two seasons, is working hard to conquer the challenges of competing alone, according to Williamson. "It's a good challenge for Allison," the coach said.

            Herbst is developing a feel for not relying on a partner and being responsible for returning every shot. She said her serves and forehands have improved, and that her backhand remains a work in progress.

            Williamson expressed hope that the internal competition will improve Upper Perkiomen's four doubles teams. He said he wants the remaining players to embrace that challenge.  "We need to put our top 11 players on the court for each match," the coach said.

            According to Williamson, whose team won two conference matches and went 4-10 overall in 2016, it's too early to determine the overall skill level of the ninth and 10th graders on the team. He said some of the players are still growing into their bodies.

            "I still feel like we're going to be a really young team, and that there are going to be growing pains," said Williamson, whose team is scheduled to take on Owen J. Roberts on Thursday. "We can still win some matches this year, but our long-term goal is to be competitive when the younger players are juniors."

            As one of only three 12^th graders on the team, Herbst has taken a leadership role. She said one of her top priorities is to make sure the younger players happy and having fun.

            Some members of the school's District One championship softball team could make impact on the court. Gail Kooser, a second baseman in the spring, will start the tennis season at first doubles, according to Williamson.

            "Gail adapted to the game pretty well," he said. She has the hand eye coordination to hit the ball."

            Alyssa Sullivan, who plays first base on the softball team, could also see time in a varsity match, according to the coach.