2007 Season Outlook

With the combination of two senior veterans and a host of young players, the Shippensburg Lady Raider tennis team looks to continue its improvement under fourth-year head coach Walter Manderson.

While the 2006-07 season started slowly, Manderson and his Lady Raiders, the youthful team gained some much needed experience and head into the
spring with higher expectations.

In 2005-06, Manderson guided the team to five wins during the spring season, including three wins in their final four matches. But entering 2006-07, the team was obviously weakened by the graduation of former No. 1 player Lina Pavilionyte. Pavilionyte was a mainstay at the top of the lineup and won a team-best 12 matches in her senior campaign. She also teamed with Nicole Perugini to win 10 doubles matches.

For Shippensburg to deliver another strong spring season, it will need to not only replace Pavilionyte at the top of the lineup, but also receive improved play from the back of the lineup.

The top candidate for No. 1 singles is senior Melinda Dewald, who throughout the course of her career served as a steady No. 2 behind Pavilionyte. Dewald went 9-7 in 2005-06 and posted five wins in dual
matches. She also posted a 3-1 record at the ITA East Regionals,
advancing further than any other Lady Raider. In the fall of 2006, Dewald earned a teambest three victories while playing at No. 1 singles.

Moving into the No. 2 singles spot is senior Nicole Perugini, who, like Dewald, has plenty of experience. Perugini was the team’s No. 3 singles player for two years and compiled an 8-7 record in 2005-06. She may also
be the team’s top doubles player and will team with Dewald to form the Lady Raiders’ top tandem this season.

From the No. 3-6 singles spots, the Lady Raiders will be looking for consistency and a steadier lineup. Entering the fall of 2006, only Katie Hoover had previous experience in the Lady Raider lineup, and she had played in just three matches in 2005-06. In 2006-07, outside of Dewald
and Perugini, the team’s roster is comprised of four sophomores, two juniors and two freshmen, making for an extremely young team.

The young players did, however, show flashes of promise in the 2006 fall campaign. Hoover emerged as a strong candidate for the No. 3 singles spot after appearing in seven matches at No. 3 singles and one at No. 2
singles.Freshman Ali Horvath also gained valuable experience playing in eight matches at No. 4, 5 and 6 singles spots. She also picked up two victories in the fall season.

Sophomore Ashlee Peternel should see her share of action after playing in all eight of the team’s dual matches during the fall season. Junior Kathy Henley is also expected to contribute after playing in seven matches
during the fall, including two at No. 5 singles.

Ship will also benefit from the return of Kristen Herman, who returns to the team after missing the fall season. In 2005-06, Herman performed admirably at No. 6 singles, posting a 3-4 record.

Junior Stephanie Belanger and freshman Jackie Kramer also have singles experience and could contribute to the team in the 2007 spring season.