David Straub enters his second season as coach of the Pennsylvania College of Technology men’s and women’s tennis teams with optimism, thanks to several key returning players and talented newcomers.

The Wildcat men, 2-9 overall last year and 2-5 in the United East, open at 4 p.m. on Friday, hosting Lycoming College on the Brandon Park courts, while the women,  4-9 overall and 1-4 UE, open at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the first day of the King’s College Invitational. The men have four fall matches and the women seven, with United East Conference play taking place in the spring.

On the men’s side, senior Alex Norris of Williamsport returns after playing at the No. 1 singles position last fall before missing the spring season. He is joined by junior Logan Ogden of South Williamsport and sophomores Jayden Manbeck of Bernville, Matt Williams of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, Hunter Knosky of Camp Hill and Will Long of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Ogden finished 5-2 in singles play a year ago and was named to the UE second team.

Additions to the squad include freshmen John Finnegan of Hughesville, who played at No. 1 singles, and Seth Priestman of Bloomsburg.

“(We have) several others new to the team that also no doubt will contribute as well. If we played two teams, I think our “B” squad against other “B” squads would be successful,” Straub said. 

For the women, junior Ellen Buckley of Binghamton, New York, and sophomore Faith Murray of Dillsburg, who played at singles one and three last season, return and are joined by sophomore Kayla Weinzierl of Summerhill and freshmen Emlyn Kinley and Chloe Campbell of Williamsport.

 “One of our strengths is better depth this year, particularly on the men’s squad,” Straub said.       

The coach continued, “One challenge will be fitting all the pieces together, having players getting as comfortable as possible at their spots and with their teammates. This is all connected to prep for conference play in the spring, but we certainly are focused now on our fall season.

“I’m excited and also a little intrigued on how this will all come together. I’m feeling very positive about us.”

Men’s Schedule/Series History

Friday, Sept. 6 — host Lycoming College at Brandon Park courts, 4 p.m. (Lycoming leads 6-5)

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 14-15 — at King’s College Invitational, 9 a.m.

Women’s Schedule/Series History

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 7-8 — at King’s College Invitational, 9 a.m.

Friday, Sept. 13 — at Lycoming College, 4 p.m. (Lycoming leads 10-1)

OTHER FALL OPENER

Friday, Sept. 6

Men’s golf at Mountain Valley Collegiate Classic, Sinking Valley Country Club, 9:30 a.m.

For additional information, visit the Wildcats Athletics website.

For more about the United East, visit the conference website.