Lady Bucks up and running
FARWELL, PA – The Bucktail tennis team is off to a 1-1 start after losing at Montgomery by a 5-0 score on Monday. But veteran coaches Alison and Dan Heiser like what they’ve seen of their Lady Bucks in the early going, indicating it’s a team only going to get better as the season unfolds.
There are eight players on the roster this fall, including six with experience. By grade, they are: Emma Poorman 12;Dakota Werts 12; Kayla Probert 11; Bella English 11; Abby Miller 11; Alexis Lowery 10; Giada DeMarte 10; and Gigi Balchun 10.
Coach Dan Heiser gave this early season assessment: “The weather has made things a little difficult, but Alison and I are excited about what we are seeing. The girls seem to be picking up right where they left off. All players seem extremely focused on learning and growing. This is exactlyy what we want to see as coaches.”
The coach said the team’s greatest strength is its work ethic: “The girls work hard and they are extremely focused on being better players. When it is practice they are not talking and walking around. They are running, hitting, and asking questions about how to get better. I think the success they had last year has motivated them to want to get better as a team and as individuals. Only concern is, I wish we had more time to practice. We have 16 matches in about a 6 week period.
The Lady Bucks are competing in the Mid Penn and Northern Tier Leagues, both made up of good teams that are competitive. “Overall we always ask the girls to compete. Do not focus on winning and losing, but rather grow as an individual, play hard, and support your team. If we continue to do these things, we will compete with everyone in the leagues and that is all you can ask for as a coach.”
Most importantly, the coaches told The Record, they are really excited about this season. “ As we have said, this is a team, that is made up of wonderful student-athletes. They represent their school in the best manner possible. We are excited to see where this group can go as a team and see the growth in each individual player.”
A busy schedule this week is on tap, weather permitting: Tuesday at Towanda, Wednesday at Cowanesque Valley and then home Thursday with Galeton. All matches have a 4 p.m. start time.
8/30/21 at Montgomery:
Singles:
#1) Sam Ulrich (M) over Kayla Probert, 5-7, 6-1, 12-10
#2) Mallorie Myers (M) over Emma Poorman, 7-5, 6-0
#3) Jenna Waring (M) over Bella English, 6-3, 6-3
Doubles:
#1) Courtney Smith/Taylor McCrea (M) over Alexis Lowery/Abby Miller, 6-2, 6-2
#2) Falia Reynolds/Sloan Wooten (M) over Gigi Balchun/Dakota Werts, 6-3, 6-0
