Hope Thompson went 1-1 at last weekend's Pioneer Athletic Conference tennis singles tournament. The Upper Perkiomen senior continued to display a tougher mental

Jada Leidy returns a forehand shot. She won her match at No. 3 singles Monday agains Owen J. Roberts.

approach, according to head coach John Williamson.

            Thompson will have the opportunity to continue her postseason competition. On Friday, she will compete in the District One Class 2A championships.

             Emily Vogel, the Indians No. 2 player, lost her only match on Sept. 21 at Perkiomen Valley High School. She lost 10-3 to Lily Hamrich, from Upper Merion. Vogel defeated Hamrich during the regular season.

            "Emily played a little below where she normally performs," Williamson said. "She's been so solid for us all season."

            Thompson opened the PAC tournament with a 10-2 victory over Alaine Hathaway, the No. 2 player from Pottsgrove. In the second round, a 10-3 loss to Methacton's Lauren Montgomery eliminated her.

            Thompson got within 4-3 before Montgomery, who finished fifth in last year's tournament and lost in the quarterfinals this year, won six consecutive games.

            "I'm happy with how Hope played," Williamson said. "She's been playing great lately. She just ran into a very strong opponent."

            According to the coach, Thompson has made significant strides during four seasons as the team's No. 1 singles player. He said her most important improvement is developing an even approach.  "Hope has really matured over the years," Williamson said. "She understands what kind of mindset is necessary to face very good players."

            Thompson will get one more chance to face high-level competition at districts. As the conference's only 2A representative, she will take on Delco Christian senior Maggie Lott at the Springfield (Delco.) YMCA.

            She debuted in the tournament last season, losing 6-1, 6-1 to Sarah Stahlm, from Delco Christian, in the opening round.  "Getting back there is a great accomplishment," Williamson said. "It would be cool if she could win a match. Hope has been there before, so she knows what to expect."

            On Monday the Indians won one singles match and one doubles match in a 5-2 loss to Owen J. Roberts at Upper Perk.

            At No. 3 singles, Jada Leidy needed three sets to defeat Lexi Voetelink. Leidy needed a 7-5 tiebreaker in the first set to win 7-6. She lost the second set 2-6 but rebounded in the third set to post a 10-4 victory.

            Michelle Chan and Leah Hunsinger rolled to a victory at No. 4 doubles. They lost only three games in a 6-1, 6-2 win over Chloe Sands and Kylie Dinan. 

            The team ended its run of consecutive seasons with a winning record. According to the coach, it lacked the depth required to reach nine victories for the third straight season.

            "Our singles players have been very competitive," Williamson said. "But we lack the experience at doubles as compared to last season."