A dearth of returning experienced players has tempered the team goals for Upper Perkiomen's boys tennis team. With only four returnees, the goal will be to have fun and make sure several new players learn the game, according to head coach John

Junior Henry Queeney will start the season as the No.1  singles player.

Williamson.

            "We're going to keep the expectations low and see what happens," he said.

           The roster features 11 players who are new to the sport. The coach identified a handful of athletes from other sports who should take the court for the first time during the Indians' season-opening match today at home against Daniel Boone.

            Henry Queeney is the team's top returning performer. The junior will start the season as No. 1 singles. Queeney, who played second and third doubles last season, has upped his game, said Williamson.

            "Henry has put in some work on his game to become pretty consistent," the coach said. "He's a solid player."

            Williamson didn't rule out the possibility of Queeney qualifying for the District One Class 2A tournament. He said the top player from the three Pioneer Athletic Conference teams in the class, which includes Pottsgrove and Pope John Paul II, will automatically qualify.

            Steven Schmittinger, a transfer student from western Pennsylvania, will likely start the season at No. 2 singles. Last season, he played the sport at St. Mary's Area High School, located approximately 119 miles northeast of Pittsburgh and 81 miles northwest of State College.

            "He's got good fundamentals and understands the game," the coach said of Schmittinger, who enrolled in Upper Perkiomen late last year. "He has ability. He's just working on developing consistency."

            Third singles remains open. Juniors Ben Buckwalter and Kaden Dennis, along with Dylan Dick and Theo Deskovich, a first-year player, are competing for the spot. Buckwalter and Dennis could also have the inside track to secure the No. 1 doubles team.

            Two senior basketball players – Mateo Schneidt and Armani Avant-Brown – will likely play together as a doubles team. Williamson said Schneidt's height and wingspan translates to the court.

            "They both appear to be having fun," said Williamson, whose team opens its Pioneer Athletic Conference schedule on March 21 at home against Boyertown. "Mateo is athletic, and he has some reach at the net. Eventually, he'll do really well. Armani came out for the first time last week, and he picked things up pretty quick."

            The coach credited his returning players for helping to recruit new participants. He described it as an all-around effort.

            "We talked to a lot of people in the high school," said Williamson, a business and technology teacher. "We knew that a theme of this season would be very few returning players."

            The coach expects Alex Laubach, a ninth grader, to make a significant impact this season. He said Laubach's game has shown tremendous growth over the past couple weeks.

            "I can see him helping out this season and the next three," Williamson said. "He's worked very hard and is focused."