Morgan Player of Year; Ransom, Tripp All-Stars

by Jim Morgan

FARWELL–Its been seven years now that Dan and Alison Heiser have been coaching the Bucktail High Lady Buck tennis team and this Thanksgiving they are thankful for a lot of great program accomplishments.

So let’s get down to some facts about these two coaches and what kind of support that they put into the program.

When they started coaching teams had to win the Northern Tier League to get into the play-offs but the Lady Bucks had a winning season. In those first two years, the league would have a NTL all-tennis team, the Lady Bucks producing two first team players. This year the NTL decided to resume announcing an all-Ladies Tennis team and the Lady Bucks are well represented.

After advancing to the semifinals in District IV singles, teaming with junior Abby Ransom to reach states in doubles and helping to lead her team to the district team semis, Bucktail junior Maria Morgan was named player of the year.  Morgan finished the season with a perfect 15-0 record at first singles.

Morgan’s teammates Ransom (who was 15-0 in second singles) and junior Alaina Tripp (14-0 at fifth singles) also are on the NTL team, Tripp earning newcomer of the year honors.

Bucktail has had two tennis players play at the collegiate level: Clarie Kerstetter played at Clarion where she started, Taylor Pompili played at PSU Altoona and now at Penn Collage and she is also a starter. In the last six years, Bucktail has been to the District IV team play-offs, advancing to the semi-finals the last two years.

Co-coach Heiser’s overall record in the regular season is 79-19, 32-1 the last two years, winning the NTL in 2012 and 2013. The Lady Bucks had been runner-up in the NTL for four years in a row before that.

We have been blessed with many good tennis players over the years. In the last couple of years there have been some special players that have done very well. Maria Morgan advanced into the quarter-finals (2012) in District IV Tennis Singles then the semi-finals this year. Morgan and Meridith Blessard advanced into the quarter-finals last year in District IV AA Tennis Doubles. This year Morgan and Ransom were runner-ups in District IV AA Tennis Doubles, advancing into the PIAA State Championships.  They were just one of sixteen doubles teams to play at Hershey.

It is a rare accomplishment to have girls go undefeated during the regular season. The Lady Bucks posted three of them this past season. What is great about that is Morgan, Ransom and Tripp are all back next year.

Dan and Alison are great with the team.  They know it takes a lot of support from parents and fans as they recently told The Record:

“Overall the girls played extremely well this season. Alison and I could never express how proud we are of this entire team. We started the season off a little unsure with changes in the lineup and a lot of new faces. By the end of the season, it was great for Alison and I to see how much these girls came together and supported each other and never quit on each other. Wins are great but what was really accomplished this season was the life lessons and determination to succeed no matter the odds. There were a few times when it looked like our season was going to end or our goals were not going to be met and some unexpected player on this team stepped up and motivated everyone to succeed. The biggest thing Alison and I take away from this season is the greatness of the Renovo community. Our parents and family members of the players were outstanding and thanks could never be said enough to this group of people. From the teachers and staff at the schools to the community members who wrote emails of support, hung signs, supported fundraisers, helped improve our facilities, took time to congratulate the girls and many other wonderful acts of support and kindness. Simply put…this season will never be forgotten.

From all of us on the Lady Bucks Tennis Team we all give THANKS on this wonderful day. To all of you who supported us HAPPY THANKSGIVING!”