Despite losing seven seniors to graduation, Upper Perkiomen's girls tennis team is shooting for its third consecutive winning season.  Another group of accomplished 12th graders, led by Hope Thompson, has emerged.

Hope Thompson, Upper Perkiomen's No. 1 singles player, prepares to return a shot on Monday against Quakertown.

            According to head coach John Williamson, the Indians have set a goal of matching last year's dual meet record by winning nine matches. He said the key could be the emergence of their doubles teams.  "If they step up, we've got a good chance to accomplish that goal," the coach said.

            A trio of singles players has led the Tribe to an early 2-2 record. Thompson, its No. 1 player for the fourth consecutive season, won two of her initial three matches.

            "Hope is playing the best tennis of her career," Williamson said of Thompson, who reached the quarterfinal round of last year's Pioneer Athletic Conference Singles Tournament.

"She's off to a real good start."

            Emily Vogel and Jada Leidy have exceeded Thompson's efficiency through four dual matches. Vogel, the No. 2 singles player, and Leidy, at No. 3, are each 4-0.  "Our singles players have been pretty solid," the coach said.

            All three players won their matches in a 4-3 non-conference loss to Pennridge on Wednesday, Aug. 23. Thompson registered a 6-4, 6-4 win over Yvan Phan.

            Vogel and Leidy each needed three sets to post their wins. After winning the first set 6-0, Vogel lost the second set 4-6 to Sadie Myers, before rallying for a 6-0 victory in the third and decisive set.

            Leidy took a similar path to victory. She defeated Caliegh Aller 6-4 in the first set, dropped the second set 5-7 before recovering for a 6-0 win in the final set.

            Williamson noted Thompson has a good chance to qualify for the District One Class 2A tournament in singles and doubles for the second straight season. He said the mental part of her game has improved the most. 

            "Hope has gotten a lot tougher," said the coach, who added that Thompson is hitting her forehand and backhand shots with increased power and consistency. "She's very steady, and she understands when to attack and when to play more conservatively."

            Vogel, who played at No. 3 singles last season, is playing the best tennis of her high school career, Williamson observed. He said she has improved every season in the program.

"Emily is super steady," the coach said.

            Leidy – who played doubles last season – took a little while to get settled in her season-opening match against Daniel Boone on Aug. 21, according to Williamson. He said she will get better as the season progresses.  "It's a big transition from doubles to singles," the coach said.

A pair of seniors, Carly Heiser and Lacey Dunn, has emerged as the top doubles team.

            Williamson described Heiser, who played fourth doubles last season, as athletic. He said Dunn's game features consistent serves and ground strokes.  "They are friends off the court, and they complement each other on the court pretty well," the coach said.

            Brianna Maglio and Sarah Quinones, a pair of 12th graders, have lined up at No. 2 doubles.

            Carly Godshall, a senior, is teaming with sophomore Kylie Graves at No. 3 doubles. Leah Hunsinger and Michelle Chan, two sophomores, are currently the No. 4 doubles team.

            On Monday, the Indians rode a four-match sweep by their doubles teams to post a 5-2 non-league victory over visiting Quakertown. Maglio and Quinones needed three sets to defeat Mel Palen and Molly Yu.

            Hunsinger and Chan lost only one game in their straight-set victory over Mya Price and Ava Morrolli.

            Vogel and Leidy each posted individual victories during the Tribe's 4-3 loss to Boyertown on Tuesday. Both won 6-2, 6-3 over Isabella Ingrassia and Jordan Parker, respectively.

            Heiser and Dunn needed three sets to secure the team's only doubles victory. They rebounded from a 6-0 loss in the second set to Lila Schmid and Cassidy Nuss by posting a 6-4 win in the decisive set.