Improving Penn-Trafford girls tennis eyes WPIAL playoff berth

By: Karen Kadilak
Friday, August 23, 2019 | 8:28 PM

After coming close last season, the Penn-Trafford girls tennis team is hoping to make the WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.

Penn-Trafford coach Megan Satira said the Warriors, who are off to an 0-2 start, were a win away from qualifying for the postseason last season.

“We have some tough competition with Franklin Regional, Hempfield, Latrobe and Norwin, but we hope to compete with them,” Satira said. “We had a nonsection match against Hampton, which was very competitive.”

The Warriors lost to Franklin Regional, 3-2, in a Section 1-AAA match Aug. 21.

Senior Ruby Chen is a fixture at first singles, where she has played the past three seasons.

“Each year, Ruby has gotten a little more confident and won a few more matches,” said Satira, in her third season with the Warriors. “We are expecting a lot from her for her last year.”

Freshman Sarah Yamrick steps in at second singles. In her first section match, Yamrick won in two sets against Franklin Regional.

Satira said Yamrick has worked hard and played well during the first week.

“We are expecting a lot from Sarah in the next four years,” Satira said.

Senior Olivia Carrera is back at third singles.

The first doubles team, senior Holly Monroe and junior Marissa Setzenfand, returns from last season.

Satira expects a good season from the duo, led by Monroe’s excellent net play.

Five players are contenders for the second doubles team: senior Sofiya Bidochko, who played at the position the last two seasons; senior Claire Hartung; sophomore Lena Yuhas; senior Hailey Aiken, and junior Stephanie McBarron.

Chen said most of the Warriors are returning players.

“I’m very excited to be playing with them again,” Chen said. “We have learned a lot and grown close.

“I hope we will put our best effort forward every time we step out on the court and not get too hung up on the losses. I expect both wins and losses.”

The Warriors last made the WPIAL playoffs in 2016 as the fourth-place team in the section. They lost in the first round.

Tags: Penn-Trafford