Ian Costanzo enters his senior season on the Upper Perkiomen tennis team with an improved second serve. He also expressed an increased ability to avoid unforced

Ian Costanzo warms up for the 2019 season.

errors. As the team's No. 1 singles player, Costanzao expects to be challenged.

            "It will definitely be a step up for me from last season," he said. "I'm going to be playing the best of the best. There's definitely going to be a learning process."

            With two returning singles players and a slew of juniors, head coach John Williamson expects the Indians to win a decent amount of matches.  "We've been building to this season," the coach said.

            Costanzo described finishing above .500 in the Pioneer Athletic Conference as a realistic goal. He called the goal more than achievable.  "We've got a pretty good set of players," Costanzo said.

            According to the coach, Costanzo, who played No. 2 singles last season, will start the season as the top singles player.  Junior Adam Dockery, who played No. 1 singles in 2018, is expected to be out of the lineup with nagging injuries until April.

            Last season, as a sophomore, Dockery won his opening round match at the District One Class AA Tennis Tournament, becoming the first male player to win a district tournament match during the Williamson's coaching tenure.

            "Ian and Adam are clearly our best players," te coach said. "Having them is a huge advantage. Getting Adam back for the second half of the season would provide a huge boost."

According to Costanzo, his second serve has become significantly more competitive. He's added spin to the shot.

            "Last year, I didn't feel confident enough to put a lot of spin on it," Costanzo said.

            This season, the player said he is less inclined to try to end a point quickly and more willing to force his opponent into mistakes. Costanzo said his off season work should minimize his propensity to allow silly points.  "I've gotten better overall" he said.

            The lineup for the team's season opening match, scheduled for March 15 against Quakertown, remains uncertain. According to Williamson, a pair of seniors – Luke Powers and Tom Andrasek – are the favorites to play at No. 2 and No. 3 singles. 

            Powers, who played at No. 3 singles last year, relies on a large wingspan and is working to improve his consistency, the coach said. Andrasek, who played first doubles last season, has improved over his years on the team, according to Williamson.

            "Tom is a solid baseline player who doesn't usually beat himself," the coach said.

            The team's four doubles pairings remain wide open. According to Williamson, a group of 10 mostly 11th graders will contend for eight spots. The coach said he hopes to figure that out by the end of the week. The contenders include, Nick Caciolo, Jaden Fisher, Dean and Andrew Miller, Andrew Nguyen, Kyle Smith and Patrick McHale.

            "We'll see who meshes well together," Williamson said. 

            According to the coach, teams are determined based on whose styles fit and whose personalities match.  "Right now, it's our biggest focus," Williamson said. "It's a little bit of a challenge."

            Costanzo said he has recruited four or five of his soccer teammates for the team. He described McHale, Upper Perkiomen's starting goalkeeper, as very determined on the court.

            "Once Pat gets the basics down, he's going to be a very competitive player," Costanzo said.