Town and Country Newspaper

Sports Article

Rams Blank Upper Perk Tennis

Written by Rachel Blackburn, Correspondent
2013-03-27

Upper Perk's Jamie Maximuck returns a volley at the net as his first doubles partner, Korey Landis, stands ready in back of him during play last Thursday against Spring-Ford.

Last Thursday, the Upper Perkiomen High School boys tennis team suffered a harsh 7-0 loss against Spring-Ford. Everyone on the team fought hard to prove themselves, but despite their best efforts, they were crippled by the unrelenting weather conditions.

“Everyone gave 100 percent of their effort. Playing in such cold conditions was a challenge for every player that day,” said senior Anthony Ascoli, teamed at third doubles with Brian Kraft. “I am proud of our varsity team for the resilience and determination that they showed despite the poor weather.”

Some close singles games were played by Seth Kreider, with score of 6-3 and 6-1, and a second doubles match by Bryon Scholl and Nolan Benner, with scores of 6-4 and 6-1.

Senior Phil Badman, who has been playing on the team since his freshman year, recalled his doubles match with Caleb Hartung on Thursday. “I was lacking in confidence, and the other team saw that and shut us down every time we gave them the chance.”

Spring-Ford was a tough opponent for the team to face, but the season is still in the very beginning, and team members are hoping to improve as the season continues.

Coach John Williamson remains optimistic.

“Preseason so far has gone pretty well,” said Williamson, a teacher at the high school. “The weather has not exactly cooperated.”

“I expect this season to be better than previous years,” Badman said, “mostly because of our huge group of seniors, so our varsity team is full of experienced players.”

The team has more seniors this year than they have any year. Having a team made up of older, more experienced players could lead the team to a stronger and more successful year.

“I believe this season will go quite well,” Ascoli said, “Every senior has something to prove and a drive to win.”

In the first non-league match of the year last Tuesday, the team defeated Quakertown. The score was 6-1.

At first singles, Seth Kreider defeated Quakertown’s Mike Kelsall 6-0, 6-1. Parker Shilling defeated Brendan Quinn at second singles, 6-1, 6-4.

At the first doubles, Jamie Maximuck and Korey Landis took down Mark Doman and Anthony Giquinto 6-1, 7-6.

Bryon Scholl and Nolan Benner defeated Tyler Seislov and Tanomus Swope at second doubles 6-2, 6-0.

At third doubles, Brian Kraft and Anthony Ascoli defeated Evan Koch and Justin Ivoc 6-4, 6-2.

In the last match at fourth doubles, Caleb Hartung and Phil Badman defeated Alex Land and Zachary Kraus 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

The PAC-10 remains an unknown for some of the players.

“Although this is my first year on the varsity team, I do know that varsity has struggled against some very tough PAC-10 competition in the past, and will most likely face the same again,” Badman said. “I’m not quite sure what to expect in terms of standings.”

Mike Lenick and Judy Miller, also teachers at the high school, as well as Kaitlyn Croll, Upper Perk tennis alum, assist Williamson.

“We have a lot of seniors this year,” said Williamson. “We are trying to use our experience to be competitive and improve.”

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