Ches-Mont League sports practices — at least for some members — will begin Monday, and official events will begin as soon as Thursday, according to an email to the West Chester Area School District community from superintendent Jim Scanlon.

The email indicates that golf matches can begin Thursday, Sept. 24th, with tennis starting on Monday, Sept. 28th and all other sports on Monday, Oct. 5th.

The message about sports was part of a larger message about a return to a “hybrid” form of in-person instruction next month.

“This return is contingent upon infection rates remaining stable,” Scanlon wrote in the email. “We are committed to following guidance from health experts and officials, and our plans must be fluid enough to change based on large surges in local infection rates. This means we may have to move back to virtual instruction at some point in the school year. We do not, however, anticipate a situation in which we would be frequently back and forth with district-wide in-person and hybrid instruction based on small fluctuations in infection rates.”

This message of course applies to the three West Chester high schools — Henderson, East and Rustin — but sources tell Pa. Prep Live that most other Ches-Mont League members will follow.

Sources say that could even include Unionville, which officially voted to cancel fall sports, and Bishop Shanahan, which is a member of the Philadelphia Archdiocese, which canceled sports for all of its members. The fate of the rest of the league should be known this week, as each district and school makes its plans clear.

Sources told Pa. Prep Live on Friday that the league was moving toward a restart, but that there would be no official league-wide decision. Most sports have been conducting work outs for weeks, but they have not officially qualified as practices.

Sources told Pa. Prep Live that football coaches are shooting for October 9 as the first official Friday night of the season. That should be enough time for four league games, followed, hopefully by the District 1 playoffs.

West Chester East field hockey coach Jessica Rice leads her team in workouts last week. The Vikings are planning to play this fall, with field hockey games beginning as soon as the week of October 5. (PETE BANNAN – MNG)

In the last week, momentum has been building in the Ches-Mont league to end the postponement of the 2020 fall sports season that was initially derailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Unionville school board voted, 9-0, and Great Valley voted, 6-3, to join seven other schools that have already decided to play sports this fall.

That means the list of schools suiting up has reached nine: all three West Chester schools, Downingtown East and West, Avon Grove, Sun Valley, Great Valley and Unionville.

Four remain undecided: Coatesville, Kennett, Oxford, and Bishop Shanahan.

According to Coatesville head football coach Matt Ortega, his district’s school board will make an official determination at its meeting on Tuesday at the latest.

“I hope we can get games for the kids,” Ortega said. “That’s always been the hope. That’s why we have been working out since July. Hopefully it becomes a reality.

“We’re waiting until the school board makes the decision.”

Until it happens, the Raiders’ football squad will continue with voluntary workouts.

“I just know that all of the schools of the Ches-Mont have seen the NFL and (major) college football pull it off and 85 percent of the state of Pennsylvania is playing,” Ortega added.

“But when you are dealing with something that impacts health, I don’t think that will sway our school board. They will do what they feel is best for our school district.”

Over the weekend, Oxford sent out a mass Tweet to notify families that mandatory practices for all fall sports would begin on Monday, which upped the proposed start date by a week. It may be an indication that Oxford is preparing the way for a return to competition, but the school’s athletic director, Mike Price, said the decision will be made during an emergency session of the Oxford School Board on Thursday.

“I can’t speculate one way or the other which way this is going to go,” Price said.

The Unionville School Board initially voted 5-4 to move forward with fall sports on Aug. 3, but about three weeks later the Ches-Mont announced that the season would be postponed. It was a direct response to a Chester County Health Department recommendation that all high school sports should be canceled until at least 2021.

But the landscape changed when the CCHD removed its recommendation in an updated report on Sept. 14.  

“That was pivotal for Unionville and many other Ches-Mont schools,” said Unionville Athletic Director Pat Crater.

“The landscape has changed since Aug. 3^rd. It’s been a roller coaster ride,” he added.

“Now we are at a point where there are (opposing) teams to play against.”

The day after the CCHD altered its recommendation, the Ches-Mont athletic directors reportedly met to review a health and safety plan initially developed by Unionville’s head athletic trainer, Joe Vogler. The plan was quickly approved.

“The (health department) recommendation and a uniform safety plan for everybody to follow were two key hurdles to clear,” Price said.

Among many standards and protocols, the plan calls for masks to be worn during volleyball matches, for instance. But the underpinnings set statistical thresholds to determine whether athletics can or can’t be played this fall.

Pa. Prep Live has reviewed the metrics for determining safe competition based on the CCHD guidelines. If COVID-19 infection rates are less than 80 per 100,000 in Chester County, and if less than 10% of tests in the county are positive, athletic competitions will be allowed. If either of those baselines is not achieved, competition will be halted.

“As athletic directors over the last few months, we chose to keep working so we would be ready when the time came,” Crater said.

“We want to play and we are committed that we can do it safely.”

It is important to note that many high school athletes have been competing in private camps, clinics and leagues throughout the summer and into the fall season. According to Crater, for example, not long after the Ches-Mont initially announced the postponement of fall sports, United Sports in West Bradford moved forward with plans to start a quasi-Ches-Mont soccer league. The head boys’ soccer coach at Downingtown West, John Hatt, is also the chief operating officer at United Sports.

“We know that sports are happening, whether people like it or not,” Crater said. “But at Unionville, we are not lowering our standard just because everybody else is doing it.

“We believe we can offer sports at a higher level of safety than at other camps, clinics and leagues.”

The Ches-Mont will check weekly to make sure the metrics in the county are in line in order to continue playing sports this fall.    

Schools that are playing have discussed beginning golf competitions as soon as this week, with girls tennis next week and all other sports competitions the week of Oct. 5. Sources tell Pa. Prep Live that Friday, Oct. 9 would be the earliest Ches-Mont teams could possibly play football games.

The Pioneer Athletic Conference established spectator guidelines for the fall season during its Board of Directors meeting Monday.

Spectators at gated athletic events will be limited to two tickets allotted per home participating student-athlete.

League correspondence to its member schools included the following restrictions: “All athletic contests are closed to the general public; no away spectators will be permitted into the game; no walk-up ticket purchases will be available; no person is permitted without an approved Pioneer Athletic Conference ticket.”

“The Pioneer Athletic Conference understands the importance of spectators being a part of the game and experience for our student athletes,” stated the league in its announcement. “We believe that spectators add an important piece to athletic events and serve as a venue for our student athletes to be supported, uplifted, and encouraged during and after the contest. This is why our schools are encouraged to livestream the event for everyone’s viewing.”

Additionally, away team bands will not be permitted at football games.

The PAC Board also decided on no Pioneer Athletic Conference playoffs this fall. A mid-October fixture of the league in most sports for the past 15 years, the league is prioritizing regular season competition and maximizing the dates available to compete ahead of the District 1 playoffs.

Most outdoor sports would not exceed Pa.’s gathering restrictions of 250 people under the PAC’s regulations. Football games expect to exceed 250 with tickets available to participating football players, cheerleaders and band members, but social distancing can be maintained in a space the size of a football stadium.

The spectator regulations come at the same time as the matter is being battled over at the government level and around the state.

PAC leadership is leaving the door open to reevaluate its regulations throughout the fall according to PAC President and Pottsgrove High School Principal Dr. Bill Ziegler.

“We are constantly and closely monitoring the situation in our conference, communities and state and will adjust accordingly if we need to,” Ziegler said. “I see this as (the guidance) right now but certainly we will examine, review and adjust accordingly. Everything is so fluid right now.”

Pennsylvania has adhered to guidance from Gov. Tom Wolf and state officials that restrict gatherings to 250 outdoor and 25 indoors since going green in late June. Those restrictions intended to prevent the spread of coronavirus have come under fire in recent weeks with a federal judge ruling the limits unconstitutional last week. 

The Pennsylvania legislature had its say on the matter on Sept. 9 by passing House Bill 2787, which sought to give school districts the power to decide on spectator limits. Gov. Wolf vetoed the bill Monday, but both chambers of the Pa. General Assembly are expected to override Wolf’s veto after the bill was previously approved by veto-proof two-thirds majorities.

Asked Tuesday if schools now can surpass the 250- and 25-person limits, Wolf said: “I’m not a lawyer but since the stay was turned down, it sounds like at least for the moment, I guess, that court ruling stands.”

The PAC’s ticketing arrangement does not apply to non-gated events, which cannot be regulated in an unconfined space. Instead, spectators will be asked to appropriately social distance and wear face coverings.

“We’re going to work to encourage social distancing and mask wearing in non-gated events. Many of our JV and middle school programs may not have a fenced-in area and as a result our districts are going to be working to ensure our people are social distancing and not gathering in large groups,” Ziegler said.

With no PAC playoffs, league champions will be determined through regular season winning percentage with respect to the possibility of COVID-related shutdowns. 

Thus far, three PAC programs have experienced preseason shutdowns due to positive COVID tests – the Owen J. Roberts and Perkiomen Valley girls soccer teams and the Pottsgrove girls volleyball team. Boyertown shut down all programs during voluntary workouts after the positive test of a football player.

The Pioneer Athletic Conference season begins Friday, Sept. 25. Seven schools – Boyertown, Methacton, Owen J. Roberts, Perkiomen Valley, Spring-Ford, Upper Perkiomen and now Pottsgrove – are competing in football. Pottsgrove reversed an earlier decision on Tuesday night to compete in football and will have its first game Oct. 9. The other six schools are holding a five-game league schedule with non-league contests allowed to follow if a team is not participating in the district playoffs.

Other sports such as soccer and field hockey will also include Pottsgrove in a 7-team PAC. Pope John Paul II, Pottstown and Norristown suspended participation in fall sports while Phoenixville (singles tennis, golf) and Upper Merion (cross country, golf and tennis) opted for limited participation.

Soccer is pursuing an 11-game schedule, one game shy of a balanced home-and-away format. Field hockey teams have scheduled 9-10 games.

Individual sports such as tennis and golf will still hold district-qualifying events similar to the traditional championship format.

District 1 and PIAA playoff brackets have not been released to date but both organizations held meetings Wednesday.

With many leagues in suburban Philadelphia deciding to resurrect fall high school sports, District 1 is now turning its attention to making up for lost time.

During the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, District 1 Chairman Michael Barber — the superintendent of Kennett Consolidated School District — offered four proposals, and three wound up passing, with two coming on unanimous votes. The motions all dealt with issues related to athletic programs that have either delayed the beginning of competitive action this fall, or have postponed the fall season, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A majority of District 1 schools fall into those two categories due to larger population centers in southeast Pennsylvania. For much of the rest of the state, the season began earlier this month.

“The board is trying to give those schools that have started late — for a lot of reasons — the opportunity to get some type of season in,” PIAA Executive Director Robert Lombardi explained.

“I don’t believe it’s just in District 1. There are a lot of areas in the state that started later than others. This gives them a little flexibility, and also gives areas that may have started and run into a problem and end up postponing games, the ability to pick them up later.”

The three Barber motions that passed are:

1. The suspension of PIAA rules requiring a certain number of regular season contests to be played in order for a team to become eligible for the 2020 postseason. This waives existing rules that teams must schedule 50 percent, and participate in 33 percent, of the maximum number of games allowed.

2.) Extending the deadline for the conclusion of the fall regular season to Nov. 28, which in many cases comes after the beginning of postseason play. Teams will be allowed to schedule and play regular season games after being ousted from the postseason, as long as the total number of contests does not exceed the maximum allowed.

3.) Approved a commitment calling for an alternate solution so that fall 2020 sports teams that did not have the opportunity to compete are eligible to hold a shortened season in 2021. This alternate season allows for district playoffs but no state tournament.

The first two motions should help schools like those in the Ches-Mont and Central leagues, who are planning to start playing in early October, but will have already missed out on the first month of the fall season. The final motion helps leagues like the Philadelphia Catholic League, Philadelphia Public League, Del Val League and a handful of others who are not planning to play at all this fall. 

Barber also proposed a motion that programs unable to play a majority of their regular season games this fall would be allowed to compete next spring. The motion was tabled.

Lombardi also commented on the complex issue to spectator limits for PIAA contests. On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House failed to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of a bill that would allow school districts to set limits for in-person high school sports. But in mid-September, a federal judge ruled that the restrictions of 25 indoor and 250 outdoor were unconstitutional.

“We recommend to school districts to engage their local school solicitor and their school board to come up with a decision on how they are going to handle spectators,” he said.

“The (Department of Education) is asking for voluntary adherence to the 25/250 limit. But the 25 is the problem more than anything because of volleyball and having a scenario where kids would have to sit out in a hallway or elsewhere.”

Sept. 23

Girls golf

Perkiomen Valley 189, Boyertown 198 >> Abigail McCorkell shot a blistering round Wednesday as the Vikings handled the Bears in their Pioneer Athletic Conference match.

McCorkell’s nine-hole score of 41 was comfortably ahead of teammate Tori Bruno’s 45. Kylie Wood was low scorer for Boyertown with a 45.

Methacton 195, Boyertown 216 >> Riley Thomas edged Kylie Wood for low-score honors Tuesday, and the Warriors turned in the next three cardings on the way to a Pioneer Athletic Conference victory over the Bears at Skippack Golf Club.

Thomas’ 44 was one stroke better than Wood’s 45. Behind them, Boyertown got 50s from Sarah Lawrie and Kate Thomas and a 51 from Catherine Connolly.

Boys cross country

Blazers sweep >> With only three runners finishing in the Top 10, the Blazers were still able to outrun the opposition in their four-school Berks League match. Boone edged host Conrad Weiser 29-30 while handling Berks Catholic (26-33) and Fleetwood (22-35).

Corey Miller was Boone’s leading runner, fourth in the overall finishing order. Luke Gehringer followed eighth and Harrison Leister 10th, ahead of teammates Ethan Harper (12th) and Matthew Ferenz (13th).

Girls cross country

Boone goes 1-2 >> Ashley Benoit was the Blazers star in Tuesday’s four-school Berks League meet, which saw them come away with one victory. Boone handled Fleetwood 17-46 but was outrun by host Conrad Weiser (25-30) and Berks Catholic (21-37).

Benoit placed third in a time of 20:44. She was one of only two Boone runners to finish in the Top 10, Natalee Kryman seventh.

Sept. 22

It had low scores aplenty Tuesday.

The Boyertown boys golf team saw four players card sub-40 rounds at Gilbertsville Golf Course.

Their play was key to the Bears outshooting Pottsgrove in their Pioneer Athletic Conference match, 196-226.

John Engle was low man, scoring a nine-hole round of 37 for the Bears. Brandon Staniszewski was one stroke back at 38, and Josh Bardsley and Peyton Moyer added 39s.

Steve Rinda shot a 40 to lead the Falcons. He was followed by Pottsgrove’s Michael Fenton, who had a 42.

Upper Perkiomen 226, Upper Merion 240 >> Nate Reinhart claimed low-score honors Tuesday, leading the Indians pasts the Vikings in their PAC match at Macoby Run Golf Club.

Reinhart carded a 42 to edge UM’s Audrey Schuebel, who had a 43. UP posted the next three scores from Zack Silver (45), Conor Martin and Brandon Rozanski (both 46s), and Zach Gehman followed with a 47 matched by the Vikes’ Jack Rogers.

Spring-Ford 199, Perkiomen Valley 200 >> Their scoring down the lineup nullified the Vikings’ power up high and enabled the Rams to squeak out a victory in Tuesday’s PAC match at Raven’s Claw Golf Course.

PV got a two-under-par 34 from Chris Cowgill, and Jack Colyer finished ahead of Spring-Ford’s trio of Luke Watson, Garrett Wible and Joe Niblock (all 39s). But the Rams got a 40 from Jack Blackmore and and 42 from Robert McNelly to outshoot the PV trio of Ryan Horenci and Andrew Cowgill (both 41s) and Nick Torrillo (46).

Girls golf

Perkiomen Valley 199, Phoenixville 202 >> Though they compiled two of the three low scores, the Phantoms were edged by the Vikings in Monday’s Pioneer Athletic Conference match.

Kate Roberts was low golfer for Phoenixville with a 42 — one stroke better than the 43 of PV’s Abigail McCorkell — while Chelsea Frampton followed with a 46. But the Vikes ran off scores by Sara Schoenewald (50), Sofia Killar (52) and Tori Bruno (54) alongside the 54 Taryn Blitzer shot for Phoenixville.

Girls tennis

Daniel Boone 4, Muhlenberg 1 >> After spotting the Muhls a point at first singles, the Blazers ran through the rest of the lineup to win Monday’s Berks League match.

Boone (2-2, 5-5) got its best individual showings at the other two singles spots. Jordyn Houck and Katie Shank took second and third singles, respectively, by identical 6-0, 6-0 scores.

Girls volleyball

Academy of the New Church 3. West-Mont 1 >> A third-set victory was all the Wings could muster Tuesday as they fell to ANC in a close non-league match Set scores were 25-20, 25-27, 12-25 and 25-23.

Kaylee Hunsberger Knapp had eight aces and three kills for West-Mont, with Lindsay Houck posting six aces and six digs.

Souderton freshman Amanda Yang claimed the Suburban One League Colonial Division singles championship Thursday afternoon with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Central Bucks East’s Kaveena Ponamgi in the final.

“I feel like my serve was pretty good. It was consistent,” Yang said. “And so was my game. I tried not to make too many errors.”

Yang opened the tournament with a win over North Penn’s Adlena Washington-Brown then bested Central Bucks West’s Cynthia Hu in the semifinals.

“My first opponent she was hitting really hard so it was pretty hard to get her shots back,” Yang said. “And then my second opponent she also hit really hard, so it’s similar. And then the finals my opponent Kaveena was more consistent, so I had to change up my game.”

Field hockey

Methacton 2, Owen J. Roberts 1 >> Alexa Kratz’s goal with just more than nine minutes left enabled the Warriors to open Pioneer Athletic Conference play Friday by edging the Wildcats.

Bayla Plower scored at the 13:11 mark in the first half for Methacton, with Elena Snodgrass getting credit for an assist. Gabby DiPrinzio made stops on three of four shots she faced in the Roberts cage.

Boyertown  4, Pottsgrove 0 >> The Bears rode a balanced offense to victory over the Falcons in PAC play Friday.

Lauren Eves, Remi Lloyd, Katelyn Dulin and Alyx Morgan all scored, with Dulin, Morgan and Eves getting credit for assists. Sarah Yoder needed to make just one save for the clean sheet, aided by solid defensive play from freshman Mary Catherine Maloney.

Twin Valley 9, Daniel Boone 0 >> Hat tricks by Natali Foster and Emma Winther led the Raiders to victory over the Blazers in Berks League action Friday.

Ashley Finkbiner turned in a 14-save day in goal for Boone.

Boys soccer

Daniel Boone 2, Donegal 0 >> Connor Stuart did all the Blazers’ scoring Friday as they blanked Donegal in non-league play.

Assisting on Stuart’s tallies were Cam Henry and Justin Fetrow. Zack Fick secured the shutout for Boone with a five-save effort in goal.

Girls soccer

Daniel Boone 3, Donegal 2 >> Nylah Cody, Gabby Fontana and Lily Ferguson each had a goal and an assist for the Blazers in Friday’s non-league victory over Donegal.

Jenna Heasley came up with a five-save day in goal for Boone.

Girls volleyball

Boyertown 3, Spring-Ford 0 >> The Bears opened up their PAC season Friday by sweeping the Rams. Set scores were 25-12, 25-17 and 25-17. 

Leading the way for Boyertown was Emma Ludwig with five aces, nine kills and 12 assists, Grace Rinehimer added five kills and 10 assists, and Adrianna Derstine chipped in with three blocks, five kills and three aces.

Methacton 3, Owen J. Roberts 0 >> The Warriors swept the Wildcats in their PAC match by set scores of 25-6, 25-11 and 25-17.

Ali Hazlett scored 11 kills, four digs and one block for Methacton. Other statistical stars were Melinda Eglinton (six kills, eight digs, two aces, two blocks), Meghan Haftl (21 assists, one ace, five digs), Andria Santangelo (seven kills, three digs, two aces), Mandy Baldwin (four kills, eight digs) and Madi Roth (two kills, two aces, four digs).

Coventry Christian 3, West-Mont 1 >> A third-game win was the bright spot for the Wings in Friday’s match with Coventry Christian. Set scores were 25-21, 25-21, 22-25 and 25-13.

Ava Hunsberger Knapp had eight assists, two digs and three aces for West-Mont, with Kaylee Hunsberger Knapp adding four kills, seven digs and five aces.

Girls tennis

Upper Perkiomen 5, Phoenixville 2 >> In their singles-only match Friday, the Phantoms scored two wins against an Indian lineup that claimed the team victory.

Caroline Mercer and Kiley Mangialardi were Phoenixville’s winners while Maddy Dyer took second singles for UP, which was awarded a sweep of the doubles bracket by default.

Perkiomen Valley 7, Upper Merion 0 >> The Vikings dropped only one game in doubles play on the way to their PAC sweep of the Vikings Friday.

PV’s doubles teams of Sam Swarr/Sydney Boardman, Smiki Strusalya/Rachel Koenig and Victoria Anglace/Hannah Cox won their respective duels from first to third doubles by identical 6-0, 6-0 scores. UM’s best individual showing came at third singles, where Melanie Evitts won four games.

Spring-Ford 6, Methacton 1 >> The Rams got five of their wins in straight sets on the way to Friday’s PAC victory over the Warriors.

Spring-Ford’s best individual showing came at third singles, where defending PAC singles champion Cady Krause swept to a 6-0, 6-0 verdict. Methacton’s lone point came from Hana Nouaime at second singles.

Owen J. Roberts 6, Boyertown 1 >> Boosted by a sweep of the singles bracket, the Wildcats handled the Bears in Friday’s PAC match.

Owen J’s best individual outing came from Allison Root at first singles, and its first-doubles team of Jordan Sylvia and Allie Iyoob, both of whom lost just one game in their respective pairings. Boyertown’s point was scored by its fourth-doubles tandem of Riley Penna and Sydney Kuszyk.

Boys cross country

Perkiomen Valley 15, Pottsgrove 48 >> Kabiru Brown set a fast pace for the Vikings Friday as they opened their PAC schedule with a meet against the Falcons.

Brown covered his home course in 17:23, followed by teammates Dan Hayman (17:44) and Tommy Bricker (17:46). Pottsgrove’s lead runner was Brendan Vaughan, seventh in 19:32.

Girls cross country

Perkiomen Valley 18, Pottsgrove 45 >> Sienna Miller was the leader for the Vikings in Friday’s PAC meet with the Falcons.

Miller ran her home course in 18:44, with defending PAC champion Summer Watts second in 19:30. Naomi Hillen led Pottsgrove with her third-place (19:36) outing.

Boys golf

Boyertown 212, Perkiomen Valley 217 >> John Engle’s low-man carding was the difference for the Bears in Thursday’s Pioneer Athletic Conference match at Hickory Valley Golf Club.

Engle shot an even-par 36 on Hickory Valley’s Ambassador Course, five strokes better than the 217 of PV’s Jack Colyer. Michael Fenton followed Engle with a 42, matching the rounds of the Vikings’ Ryan Horenci and Chris Cowgill.

BOYERTOWN

Coach: Donna Laskosky, 20th year.

Last year’s record: 3-7 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 4-7 overall.

Players to watch: Jade Slaughter, Sr.; Emily Vangeli, Sr.; Natalie Wood, Sr.; Natalie Zaleski, Sr.; Kara Bussinger, Jr.; Olivia Vangeli, So,

Outlook: Wood and Zaleski were a second-team doubles pick on the 2019 All-PAC team. They were also accorded Honorable Mention on the 2019 Mercury All-Area team. … “Our outlook for this season is to stay as positive as we can that we get to compete with other schools,” Laskosky said. “It feels like a day-to-day situation, but the goodness for my team is that we’ve only lost one senior. We have lost a few others due to personal reasons, but the heart of the team is still intact from last season. They’re a great group and ready to meet the next challenge.”

DANIEL BOONE

Coach: Ryan Burke, second year.

Last year’s record: 2-6 Berks Conference, 4-8 overall.

Players to watch: Mallory Brandt, Sr., singles; Megan Burns, Sr., doubles; Danling Wu, Sr., doubles; Jordyn Houck, Jr., singles; Katie Shank, Jr., singles; Katie Tokach, Jr., doubles; Sarah Young, So., doubles.

Outlook: “We have a competitive, experienced team looking to increase their win total from last year,” Burke said.

METHACTON

Coach:  Jill Walker, third year.

Last year’s record: 10-2 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 14-3 overall.

Players to Watch: Alice Liang, So.; Hana Houaime, Fr.

Outlook: Liang and Houaime will be filling the top two singles spots for the Warriors. … “We are pumped to be able to get a season in this year,” Walker said, “and feelwe should be pretty competitive this year getting a few more solid additions to our lineup that show a lot of promise.”

OWEN J. ROBERTS

Coach: Jerry Styer, 21st year.

Last year’s record: 7-4 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 8-8 overall.

Players to watch: Allie Iyoob, Sr.; Lien Nguyen, Sr.; Kendall Obara, Sr.; Lilly Quinn, Sr.; Cari Semach, Sr.; Jordan Sylvia, Sr.; Carolyn Aldred, Jr.; Carlee Bonanno, Jr.; Kate Callahan, Jr.; Alina Orzechowski, Jr.; Sonya Soeder, Jr.; Anna Subick, Jr.; Faith Turnbull, Jr.; Lauren Koster, So.; Campbell Schanz, So.; Julia Yingst, So.

Outlook: The Wildcats’ 35-girl roster is bolstered by the presence of freshmen Allison Root and Alexis and Isabel Withers. … Root is slated to play first singles. “I first became aware of Allison four years ago,” Styer said, “and am looking forward to her high school career. A pleasant surprise has been twin sisters Alexis Withers and Isabel Withers. Both have been winning their challenge matches and will be playing upper middle varsity.” … Semach and Nguyen teamed up to finish sixth in the 2019 PAC Doubles Tournament. … ”We are looking to finish among the top three,” Styer said.

PERKIOMEN VALLEY

Coach: Jennifer Dixon, 18th year.

Last year’s record: 10-1 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 11-2 overall.

Players to watch: Katelyn Pobandith, Sr.; Rachel Koenig, Sr.; Kaitlyn Murphy, Jr.; Ananya Sudarshan, So.

Outlook: Strohecker was accorded Honorable Mention on both the All-PAC and MERCURY All-Area teams. … “Though we are a younger varsity squad this year, after graduating eight seniors last year,” Dixon said, “we have a lot of depth and hungry players to defend our number-two PAC team status and fight for the title this season. Our girls have improved greatly over their off-season and we are excited to have them play their hearts out for our PV Vikings.”

PHOENIXVILLE

Coach: Summer Lindeman, second year.

Last year’s record: 5-6 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 6-10 overall.

Players to watch: Annie Absher, Sr., singles; Kiley Mangialardi, Sr., singles; Caroline Mercer, Sr., singles.

Outlook: The Phantoms have chosen to play a singles-only season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the desire to effect social distancing.

POTTSGROVE

Coach: Gus Tellis, 10th year,

Last year’s record: 3-8 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 3-10 overall.

Players to watch: Kyla Hutchinson, Sr.; Paige Lang, Sr.; returning players Casey Boyer, Caitlyn Carney, Gianna DeFelice, Lacey Irvin and Anna Lilliendahl.

Outlook: “In a period of time, where nothing can be taken for granted, Pottsgrove girls tennis is happy to be playing this fall,” Tellis said. “This year’s team is super excited to compete in league matches this fall. The girls’ attitude and eagerness to improve make for a successful fall campaign, no matter what our record ends up being.”

SPRING-FORD

Coach: Todd Reagan, 17th year.

Last year’s record: 11-0 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 14-3 overall.

Returning varsity players: Lucy Olsen, Sr.; Alyssa Sharma, Sr.; Lana Hang, Jr.; Isabel Mejia, Jr.; Cady Krause, So.

Outlook: Krause is coming off a stellar freshman season that saw her emerge as the PAC singles champion and The Mercury 2019 Player of the Year. She was also first-team singles on both the PAC and Mercury All-Area teams. … Mejia was the PAC’s singles runner-up along with a singles first-teamer PAC and All-Area. Additionally, she teamed up with Riley Burke to be the PAC’s doubles champions. … “The Rams return just five players from last year’s PAC championship and district qualifying team,” Reagan said. “Although they will need to replace a large group of graduates from last year’s squad, they have some determined members of last year’s JV team ready to step up to varsity, as well as some new, talented newcomers ready to accept the challenge. The girls are again determined to work hard and try to solidify themselves as a top team in the league and a potential district qualifier.”

Upper Merion

Coach: Eric Bowe, fourth year.

Last year’s record: 4-7 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 6-8 overall.

Players to watch: Razeen Akbar; Reesa Glauner.

Outlook: Vikings had 13 players from 2019 team graduate, nine of them were among the 11 on the varsity ladder. … Glauner is expected to play first singles and Razeen third singles. … The UM roster is bolstered by the presence of freshman Melanie Evitts, who figures to play second singles. … “The mere fact that we are playing at all is just a blessing all of its own,” Bowe said. “While we obviously want to compete, we have to rebuild the program with these young girls, and get them through the season safely. There are several players from last year’s team that have opted out due to COVID-19, but we have a large crop of new ninth and 10th graders that have come out. We are very excited to have new young talent entering the program. The main goal for our program is to get through this season safely, and to help build the new crop of girls for this season and for the future of our program.”

UPPER PERKIOMEN

Coach: John Williamson, 12th year.

Last year’s record: 2-9 Pioneer Athletic Conference, 3-11 overall.

Players to watch: Sarah Cleary, Sr.; Sara Andrasek, Jr.; Madalyn Dyer, So.; Hope Thompson, Fr.

Outlook: “The team has a few veterans and a lot of younger players looking forward to playing some matches, gaining experience, and improving throughout the year,” Williamson said.

The Chester County high school girls’ tennis scene returns a strong crop of players this fall, including the 2019 Daily Local News Player of the Year, Conestoga junior Ananya Krishnan, as well as four of the five players selected to the 2019 Daily Local News all-area first team for singles – Conestoga junior Leena Kwak, Downingtown West sophomore Tanya Pant, Unionville senior Leah Walter and West Chester Henderson junior Ella Tunnell.

Krishnan enjoyed a memorable sophomore campaign – in her first season as the Pioneers’ No. 1, she was the Central League singles champion, finished third at the District 1 tournament, qualified for a PIAA Class 3A berth and won a first-round state match in Hershey.

“What I admire most about Ananya is that she is kind to everyone she plays, whether she is winning or losing,” said Conestoga girls tennis head coach Brittany Aimone. “Ananya is gracious in defeat and modest in victory. She is very humble.”

Kwak reached the District 1 quarterfinals last fall, where she — like Unionville’s Walter — lost to eventual champion Amelia Honer. Kwak won the fifth-place match at Districts, then was victorious in a first-round state doubles match with Olivia Dodge.

“Leena is fierce, but full of grace,” said Aimone. “She fights for every point, whether it be the first point of the match, or match point in the third set.”

Pant won a first-round match at district singles last fall, and helped the Whippets reach the finals in the Class 3A state team tournament.

“Tanya is one of our hardest off-season workers,” said D-West tennis coach Justin DePietropaolo. “She puts in the hours on the practice court and at USTA tournaments.”

Walter advanced all the way to the District 1 Class 3A semifinals before falling to eventual champion and top seed Amelia Honer of Council Rock North. Walter finished fourth after falling in the consolation match to Krishnan, then won her opening match at the state tournament, and helped Unionville win a first-round match in the team tournament.

Tunnell, a junior, captured the Ches-Mont National Division singles championship as a sophomore last fall, and teamed with senior Lauren Knopp to claim the doubles crown as well. She won her first-round match at Districts in three tough sets before falling in the second round.

Here’s a look at area high school girls’ tennis teams based on information provided to the Daily Local News by the respective teams:

Avon Grove will be led by senior co-captain Abby Condliffe at first singles (which she played last fall) and senior co-captain Amber Hayward.

Conestoga has a couple of other fine players in addition to Ananya Krishnan and Leena Kwak – junior Felicia Manful and sophomore Bella Chen. Pioneers head coach Brittany Aimone said, “Felicia has this quiet focus that is super admirable. She is committed to getting better and is very determined in her growth. Bella is an amazing team player. She is always uplifting everyone’s spirits and has such a positive attitude that makes everyone feel comfortable around her.”

Downingtown East has a deep crop of seniors, led by Kaitlyn Fisher at first singles. At doubles, the Cougars are led by Julia Congiliari, Sowmya Vemulapalli, Shreeya Pinumalla, Nithika Menon and Saroor Dhanju.

For Downingtown West, sophomore Tanya Pant is backed by a strong Whippet squad that includes junior Sophia Koons. “Sophia is the definition of grit,” said DePietropaolo. “She just finds a way to win, whether it’s grinding it out at the baseline or putting the ball away at the net.” Another key Whippet is senior Siya Sehgal, who had played first doubles all season long, but was ineligible to play in the postseason due to a cross-school district move from Downingtown East. The Whippets lost 3-2 in the state final, and two of the D-West girls who won a doubles match in the final are returning, junior Alyssa Dehart and senior Kaitlyn Pacheco.

Great Valley will be led by senior captain Brooke Oberly, in her third year at first singles. She received second team Daily Local News all-area honors in singles last fall, and advanced to district doubles for the second year in a row. Great Valley head coach Gerry McGrath said, “As a person, Brooke is what you want your child to be. She puts the team first, makes sure that all feel welcome to the team, is responsible, personable, coachable. Her parents have done a great job. We will miss her after this season!”

Kennett, which made it to the second round in Districts last fall, returns four-year varsity senior Emma Schmidt at No. 1 doubles. Kennett coach John Howanski said, “Emma’s tennis game translates well in doubles because she very good at volleying, aggressive with her groundstrokes and is a great team player.” Two experienced sophomores, Anna Jiang and Lily Lusvardi, will lead the Blue Demons’ singles group.

Villa Maria Academy, which posted a 10-4 record last fall, is returning Monica Morys (11-3 at singles in 2019). Villa Maria head coach Amy Holzapfel said, “Monica has a strong work ethic and the ability to push herself both mentally and physically.” Other Hurricanes to watch include juniors Kylie Kemminer and Amanda Seneca.

West Chester Henderson lost several key players due to graduation last spring, but returns Ella Tunnell as well as junior Sophia Ming, senior Nancy McSwain and senior Anna Dinacci. Henderson coach Peter Sok said, “We are a very inexperienced team and we hope to be competitive in our league this fall.”

West Chester Rustin seniors Ana Petrosky and Natalia Bula will hold the 1 and 2 singles spots for the Golden Knights while freshman Maya Tashie has taken the 3 singles position.

Girls tennis

Owen J. Roberts 6, Upper Perkiomen 1 >> The Wildcats dropped just 13 games through the lineup on the way to Tuesday’s PAC victory over the Indians.

OJR’s best individual showing came from Allison Root, who swept her first singles duel 6-0, 6-0. UP’s point came from Elyssa Sledgen and Makena Clemens at fourth doubles.

Spring-Ford 7, Pottsgrove 0 >> The Rams made a perfect sweep of the Falcons Tuesday, rolling through the PAC match without dropping any games.

Spring-Ford took all singles and three doubles contests by identical 6-0, 6-0 scores. It also won fourth doubles by default.

Daniel Boone 4, Muhlenberg 1 >> A sweep of the singles bracket enabled the Blazers to handle the Muhls in Monday’s Berks League match.

Boone’s best individual showings came from Katie Shank at third singles and the second-doubles team of Sarah Young and Kate Tokach. They each dropped just one game in their straight-set wins.

GRATERFORD >> She’s positioning herself for a stellar four-year high school tennis career.

Mia Matriccino heads a crew of ninth-graders in the Spring-Ford girls program this fall … one that’s filling in the blanks of a 2019 lineup that had six seniors graduate. Four of them were on display Wednesday when the Rams visited Perkiomen Valley for a Pioneer Athletic Conference match they swept, 7-0.

Matriccino got Spring-Ford rolling with her 6-0, 6-0 sweep of Gracie Strohecker at first singles. The Rams’ ladder-leader played a solid contest, marked by strong, hard shots and strong finishes when her opponent was off-balance from lunging returns.

“I’ve been playing since I was eight years old,” she said, noting she had been involved in United States Tennis Association play for four years. “I’ve had a lot of practice with those (attack) balls.”

Joining Matriccino in the varsity lineup are classmates Alexis Luo and Evelyn Mejia, who played second doubles against PV, and Chloe Moore, who teamed with junior Lana Hang at third doubles. They give the SF program (4-0) optimism for a long, productive run over the next three years.

“A lot friends my age train together,” she said. “We all knew we were going to play in high school.”

The Rams also have back last year’s PAC Individual Tournment champion and Mercury Girls Tennis Player of the Year, sophomore Cady Krause, at third singles. Between Krause and Matriccino is junior second singles Isabel Mejia, runner-up to Krause at PACs.

The trio is forming a formidable singles bracket for SF. Krause followed Matriccino’s lead with her 6-0, 6-0 roll over PV’s Ananya Sudarshar, and Mejia added a 6-2, 6-0 win over Kaitlyn Murphy.

“This is definitely a big thing for me,” Matriccino said of high-school play. “The team and I enjoy being able to play.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic and social-distancing restrictions shut down many athletic pursuits in mid-March, Matriccino found herself unable to continue her workouts at Frog Hollow Racquet Club. So she found a way to work around the situation.

“I ended up buying a ball machine,” she said. “Sometimes I’d hit with friends. It wasn’t ideal, but I was glad to get shots.”

“A lot of the girls relied on their families. They had parents who play tennis,” SF head coach Todd Reagan added. “They’d get a lot of practice in good times with family. In May and June, when they were able to play, a lot of them were able to get things in motion.”

The Rams also got solid play from its doubles teams, which also won in straight sets. At third doubles, Moore and Hang topped PV’s Victoria Anglace and Hannah Cox 6-2, 6-1; and at fourth doubles, Nicole Moscirella and Alyssa Sharma won over Kelsey Leonard and Kayla Morris, 6-0, 6-3.

Perk Valley’s best showings came in doubles. The first doubles duo of Samantha Swarr and Sydney Boardman won six games in their 6-2, 6-4 match with Lucy Olsen and Emily Tiffan, and the second team of Smiki Satrusalya and Rachel Koenig took five games from their 6-1, 6-4 match with Luo and Evelyn Mejia.

“We’re progressing quite well,” PV head coach Jennifer Dixon said after his girls’ second match of the fall. “Most of our varsity players from last year graduated, so we have a lot of JVs. I think we have good depth … no tournament players, mostly social players.”

NOTES >> Part of dealing with COVID conditions, Reagan noted, has been for the players to have numbered balls they use in matches. Each player is assigned a number, and they are able to handle only the balls with their numbers. … With the PAC’s singles and doubles championships slated to be played on the same day at the same time — as opposed to past years, when they were on separate weekends — Matriccino figures to play just singles. “I’m going to do my best to get as far as I can,” she said.

Upper Perkiomen 6, Upper Merion 1 >> Hope Thompson and Maddy Dyer picked up wins in first and second singles, respectively to helpe guide UP to a PAC win on Wednesday.

The doubles teams of M’Lynn Poulson/Liz Greczek, Sara Andrasek/Cassidy Bush, Emi Sensinger/Alayna Phillips and Elyssa Sledgen/Makena Clemens also picked up victories. Melanie Evitts won in third singles for Upper Merion.

Boyertown 7, Pottsgrove 0 >> The Bears gave up just three doubles points in Boyertown’s PAC victory Wednesday.

Kara Bussinger, Natalie Zaleski and Olivia Vangel picked up singles wins, while Natalie Wood/Abby Cadwallader, Emily Vangeli/Jade Slaughter and Brenna Henry/ Raegen McDevitt won doubles matches.

Methacton 5, Owen J. Roberts 2 >> The Warriros swept their doubles matches Wednesday on the way to a PAC win.

Angela Lian/Dru O’Brien, Amanda Wong/Katie Chen, Irene Biju/Lindsay Horowitz and Morgan Cape/Carlee DeVose won doubles matches for Methacton, while Hana Nouaime picked up the lone singles point.

Allison Root and Sonya Soeder won at first and third singles, respectively, for OJR.

The Catholic League has reversed course and will resume fall sports. The Del Val League will stay the course, choosing not to play its fall season until 2021.

The announcements came several hours apart.

The Office of Catholic Education and Faith in the Future Foundation announced late Friday afternoon that the 17 high schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia “may resume interscholastic athletic competition while continuing to strictly follow health and safety guidelines.”

That is an about-face of the Aug. 24 announcement to postpone fall sports until the New Year.

“Since the late August announcement, our school administrators have worked closely with senior leadership from the Office of Catholic Education and Faith in the Future to meticulously study pandemic metrics, guidelines, and school COVID profiles as part of our continuous assessment process,” Sister Maureen L. McDermott, the superintendent for secondary schools for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, said in a statement. “After carefully reviewing all possible factors, including the successful opening of our schools, we believe the environment has changed for the better over the past month.

“We understand and value the importance of athletics as part of the program of formation within our high schools,” Sister McDermott went on to say. “We express our gratitude to our school communities for their trust and support while we appropriately deliberated how to bring back athletic programs with a commitment to safety in these unprecedented times.”

The Catholic League is the third league with Delco schools as members to reverse course. The Central and Ches-Mont Leagues announced earlier this week that it will resume the fall season in the coming weeks.

“I’m ecstatic,” Cardinal O’Hara volleyball coach Bill Collins said.

There was no mention in the release as to when teams can start practicing or begin playing games, whether it would be league-only competition or if teams would be able to take part in the PIAA playoffs or just hold a league-wide playoff format. Teams must have a minimum of 15 practice sessions before competition may begin. A district spokesperson did not respond to an email regarding those questions. Several coaches contacted by phone said all comments had to come from the office of communications.

Collins said he could live with a league-only playoff.

“I’d rather have the whole thing, but I’m not going to argue about having districts or states,” Collins said. “These kids are getting a chance to get back in the gym and play. That’s all I care about, so I’m happy.”

The announcement by the Archdiocese came several hours after the Del Val League said it was sticking to its decision of Aug. 14 to postpone the fall sports season until 2021.

“The Del Val League has revisited the start of fall sports considering some school districts are beginning to return to their buildings,” the league said in a statement. “The Del Val Athletic Directors, Principals, and Superintendents have worked together over the last few weeks to try to establish a full season for our student-athletes. Unfortunately, we shut down for the safety of all our school communities, and we continue to stay shut down for the same reason. The Del Val Athletic Association knows that athletics play an integral role in the students’ lives and we are planning in conjunction with the PIAA to proceed with a fall season at an alternative time. The well-being of our school community is, and will continue to be, our priority and focus.”

Penn Wood athletic director Rap Curry said the league’s five athletic directors came up with a plan for a return that included four games in football and six in sports such as boys and girls soccer, field hockey and volleyball. However a major stumbling block is that three of the schools are not close to returning to in-person classes.

Interboro announced on its school district website that it plans a phased-in start for in-person learning on Sept. 28. Chichester is looking at a mid-October date for a phased-in return to in-person classes. The William Penn School District (Penn Wood) is not expected to resume in-person classes until November. Chester and Southeast Delco (Academy Park) are not slated to start in-person classes until January, Curry said.

“We were unanimous in the decision that all of us had to be completely on board with all the steps that we were going to follow collectively and there were just a couple of steps that we could not iron out,” Curry said. “Safety was our first priority and we just decided that we couldn’t pull it off right now.

“We were trying to hammer out all the details about how we would go about the games. We were also trying to go about how we were going to spread out the schedule so we wouldn’t only have one game a day. We were also trying to figure out the concerns that people were going to face internally for a couple of our schools that wouldn’t be back in school at that time. We just found out that trying to solve all those problems as a group and individually wasn’t going to be in an environment that we felt we could function in.”

“It’s unfortunate for student-athletes who are trying to find a collegiate home,” Chester football coach Ladonday Bell said. “Hopefully, January brings opportunity to have a season.”

Curry said the plan is to start with the winter season, then move into the fall and spring seasons. However, he said that he was not sure if the winter season would start on time as scheduled or if the league will hold off until the New Year. Practice for the winter season is slated to start Nov. 20 with games beginning on Dec. 11.

“We still have to work out those details with District 1, not only have games between ourselves, but hopefully have some nonleague opponents as well, just in order to give our kids more opportunities,” Curry said.

Girls tennis

Spring-Ford 7, Phoenixville 0 >> The Rams dropped just four games throughout the lineup on the way to a PAC victory over the Phantoms Friday.

Spring-Ford’s singles trio of Mia Matriccino, Isabel Mejia and Cady Krause was perfect in its matches, all winning 6-0, 6-0. Phoenixville’s best individual effort came at fourth doubles, where Peyton McDonnell and Rosa Gerner won two games.

Methacton 7, Upper Perkiomen 0 >> The Warriors scored straight-set wins throughout the lineup in Friday’s PAC sweep of the Indians.

Hana Nouaime was Methacton’s top player, going 6-0, 6-0 at second singles. Phoenixville’s best individual effort came in doubles play, Sara Andrasak/Cassidy Bush (second) and Emma Jago/Mady Frantz (fourth) each winning four games.

Perkiomen Valley 7, Boyertown 0 >> Smiki Satrusalya and Rachel Koenig headed the Vikings’ PAC shutout of the Bears Friday.

The Satrusalya/Koenig team posted the day’s lone 6-0, 6-0 finish at second doubles. Boyertown’s best individual showing came at first singles, Kara Bussinger extending Gracie Strohecker to a tiebreaker 6-4, 7-6 (7).

Saige Roshkoff

Roshkoff, a senior, has compiled a sterling tennis record for Harriton. Last fall, she posted a 12-0 mark at first singles against strong competition and received first team All-Central League singles honors. As a sophomore, she posted a 15-0 record at second singles through Central League, District 1 and PIAA state team titles, and teamed with Sophia Sassoli to win Central League, District 1 and PIAA 3A state doubles titles as Harriton (20-0) captured the PIAA Class 3A state team title. Off the court, Roshkoff is Co-President of three clubs at Harriton – The Voice Drive, Girls Who Code, and The Medical Club.

Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game? What part of your game have you worked on the most in the off-season?

A: The strongest part of my game is my ability to take balls on the rise and my mentality. I stay close to the baseline and take time away from my opponents. I always love competing and have great grit and fight on the court. Recently in my game I am working on hitting stronger shots when I am out of position such as higher balls, powerful down the line shots or deep shots down the middle.

Q: Tell us a little about the biggest challenge you faced during the past 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic regarding keeping your game in shape, and how you dealt with that challenge.

A: I was very fortunate during quarantine to be able to play tennis every day in my neighborhood with my dad. However, it was difficult not being able to train with my coach. I would regularly Facetime my coach and send him videos of my practices. I also ran, did yoga and worked on my fitness.

Q: What do you think was your best match of the fall 2019 season, and what was working particularly well for you that day?

A: My best match last season was a scrimmage match against Lower Moreland when I played Nikole Lissovy. During the match my teammate Mackenzie Sherman dislocated her shoulder. I was really upset for Mackenzie, but I did my best to stay focused on my match and pulled out a strong win by sticking to my game plan of making lots of deep balls and mixing up the pace.

Q: Who are your favorite tennis players? Do you try to pattern your game after any of them?

A: My favorite tennis player is Monica Seles. Just like me, she has a two-handed forehand. I strive to replicate her sharp angles.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in tennis. Who have been your top tennis mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

A: I started playing tennis when I was about four years old. My dad is a tennis player. He introduced me to the game and has been my mentor. Growing up we would always go to Harriton’s tennis courts and train together.

Q: What are your thoughts about the Central League’s recent decision (as of Oct. 5) to play a Central League-only schedule this fall with no PIAA postseason?

A: I was looking forward to having a really strong postseason since it is my senior year. I am disappointed the team will not be able to compete for another PIAA state championship, but I am glad the Central League is considering safety first.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-match preparation the day of a match.

A: The Harriton team warms up together, we do a group huddle and a team cheer. We always want to support each other.

Q: What is your favorite tennis venue, and why?

A: My favorite tennis venue is Indian Wells. My favorite surface is hard court, and the courts there are beautiful surrounded by palm trees in a perfect location in California. It was a privilege being able to compete there a week after they hosted a professional tournament.

Q: What do you think you might like to major in at college?

A: I plan to major in computer science and get an engineering degree.

Fun facts – Saige Roshkoff

Favorite TV show: Friends.

Favorite movie: The Social Network.

Favorite athlete: Monica Seles.

Favorite place to visit: Anguilla.

Favorite pre-match meal: Noodles with butter and parmesan cheese.

Person I most admire, and why: “I admire my tennis coach Sanjin Kunovac. I look up to his positivity and drive to help others. He is so knowledgeable and I learn something new from him every day, whether he is giving tips on the tennis court, an inspirational quote, stock advice, or a funny story.”

Family members: parents Rob and Marla, brother Grant, cat Noodle.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)

A battle of two unbeaten Pioneer Athletic Conference girls volleyball teams lived up to its billing Monday.

Boyertown moved alone at the top of the league standings with a 3-1 victory over Methacton, in which all but one set was decided by three or fewer points.

The Bears took the first set 30-28 before the Warriors responded with a 25-22 victory in the second set to tie things up. Boyertown rallied off wins of 25-18 and 25-22 to close out the win

Adrianna Derstine (18 kills, 4 aces, 2 blocks), Emma Ludwig (11 kills, 5 blocks, 11 assists, 4 aces), and Grace Rinehimer (18 assists ,4 kills) helped guide Boyertown to the PAC win.

Melinda Eglinton (8 kills, 5 aces, 6 digs, 1 block), Mandy Baldwin (8 kills, 14 digs), Kayla Ginther (8 kills, 2 aces, 11 digs), Ali Hazlett  (8 kills, 1 block), Meghan Haftl (32 assists, 8 digs) and Emma Ginther (7 aces, 10 digs) were statistical standouts for the Warriors.

Perkiomen Valley 3, Owen J. Roberts 0 >> Led by three of their seniors, the Vikings defeated the Wildcats 25-5, 25-21 and 25-9 in straight sets

Jessica Lofton (6 kills, 2 blocks), Allie Haflett (2 aces, 5 kills, 3 blocks) and Abby Souder-(3 aces, 3 digs) were statistical standouts for PV.

Girls Soccer

Owen J. Roberts 2, Spring-Ford 1 >> Avery White found the net with 57 seconds left in regulation to lift the Wildcats to a win over the Rams in a matchup of PAC contenders.

Alexa Vogelman, who scored OJR’s opener in the first half, got under the defense and forced a save from S-F goalkeeper Riley Wallace (8 saves) that was played out for a corner kick. Mo Weaver’s corner kick delivery was headed a few times before falling to White for the decisive shot.

Ally McVey scored in an Emily Higgins cross early in the second half to level it at 1-1 for Spring-Ford.

Sam Hughes made four saves for OJR.

Field hockey

Boyertown 4, Perkiomen Valley 3 >> The Bears improved to 3-1 on the season with Monday’s PAC victory over the Vikings. Boyertown led 3-1 at half time and did not relinquish the lead.

Alyx Morgan scored twice, Katelyn Dulin tallied a goal and an assist, and Lauren Eves chipped in a goal for the Bears. Satarah Yoder saved three shots in front of Nina Caprio, Kelsi McDevitt, Jaz Fink and Mary Catherine Maloney’s tight defense.

Girls tennis

Methacton 7, Pottsgrove 0 >> The Warriors dropped just one game in Monday’s PAC sweep of the Falcons.

Kyla Hutchinson, Paige Lang and Anna Lilliendahl won singles matches with the teams of Caitlyn Carney/Samantha Mohollen, Casey Boyer/Gianna DeFelice and Anna Lilliendahl/Lacey Irvin picking up doubles wins.

Lauren Montgomery won the lone game for the Falcons in the third singles.

Spring-Ford 7, Upper Merion 0 >> The Rams made a clean sweep of Monday’s PAC match with the Vikings.

Spring-Ford won all duels by 6-0, 6-0 scores.

The Perkiomen Valley girls volleyball team picked up its first win over Methacton since 2018, sweeping the Warriors 3-0 on Wednesday in a Pioneer Athletic Conference match.

After losing both matches against the Warriors last season, PV started the 2020 season series by winning with set scores of 25-20, 25-23 and 25-22.

PV’s statistical stars were Isabel Clauhs (12 kills, one solo block, two blocking assists, three digs), Naomi Clauhs (two aces, eight kills, two blocks, 13 assists, five digs), Samantha Corey (one ace, four kills, two blocking assists and three digs) and Ella Beckman (two aces, two kills, 13 assists and four digs).

Statistical stars for Methacton were Melinda Eglinton (12 kills, two aces, 13 digs, one block, one assist), Meghan Haftl (28 assists, four digs), Mandy Baldwin (seven kills, 12 digs), Ali Hazlett (eight kills, one block) and Emma Ginther (10 digs, one ace).

Spring-Ford 3, Owen J. Roberts 0 >> The Rams swept the Wildcats in Wednesday’s PAC match by set scores of 25-16, 25-19 and 25-23.

Spring-Ford’s statistical stars were Brooke McGettigan (12 assists, six digs), Anushka Matta (five kills), Clarke Gilmore (eight kills, 12 digs), Sara Fritzinger (seven kills) and Maddie Lebiedzinski (23 digs, four assists, three aces).

Boyertown 3, Pottsgrove 0 >> The Bears swept Wednesday’s PAC match with the Falcons. Set scores were 25-19, 25-9 and 25-20.

Field hockey

Upper Perkiomen 4, Spring Ford 1 >>Ashlyn Gatto tallied a hat trick in the Indians’ PAC victory over the Rams on Wednesday.

Margo May also scored, while Kylene Gooch, Colleen Crenti and Bella Carpenter tallied assists as UP improved to 3-0-1. Lynnsi Joyce made nine saves in net for the Indians

Nina Scott scored Spring-Ford’s lone goal. Mackenzie Savage saved six shots for the Rams.

Methacton 7, Pottsgrove 1 >> Grace Shields’ two-goal showing headed the Warriors’ potent offensive in Wednesday’s PAC romp over the Falcons as they kept pace with UP, improving their record to 3-0-1.

Shields scored Methacton’s first two goals on the way to a 4-0 halftime advantage. Elise Dewan (one assist), Jess Serafin, Celia Long, Renee Blank and Maddie Noh completed the Warriors’ scoring, with Lily DeWan getting credit for an assist. Riley Simon netted Pottsgrove’s lone goal in the third quarter while Makenzie Johnson had 17 goalie saves.

Girls tennis

Boyertown 7, Upper Merion 0 >> The Bears dropped just five games in doubles play as they swept the Vikings in Wednesday’s PAC action.

Boyertown got 6-0, 6-0 scores from its respective third- and fourth-doubles teams of Brenna Henry/Raegen McDevitt and Allie Schell/Katherine Clarkson. UM’s best individual efforts came in singles, Reesa Glanner (first singles) and Melanie Evitts (third) both winning four games.

Owen J. Roberts 7, Phoenixville 0 >> The Wildcats swept through the singles bracket in the course of their PAC victory over the Phantoms Wednesday.

Allison Root, Cara Semach and Sonya Soeder each scored 6-0, 6-0 victories in singles. Phoenixville’s best individual effort came at fourth doubles, where Peyton McDonnell and Rosa Gerner extended their duel with Campbell Schanz and Kate Callahan to three sets.

Methacton 5, Perkiomen Valley 2 >> A sweep of the singles bracket was key to the Warriors topping the Vikings in Wednesday’s PAC match.

Alice Liang had Methacton’s best individual showing, a 6-0, 6-0 run at first singles. PV’s points were scored by the doubles teams of Samantha Swarr/Sydney Boardman (first) and Kelsey Leonard/Kayla Morris (fourth).

Upper Perkiomen 5, Pottsgrove 2 >> A sweep of the doubles bracket enabled the Indians to overtake the Falcons and win Wednesday’s PAC match.

UP’s M’Lynn Poulson/Liz Greczek tandem at first doubles had their team’s best individual showing, posting a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Pottsgrove’s points came from Paige Lang and Rachel Lilliendahl at second and third singles, respectively.

Boys golf

Owen J. Roberts 196, Phoenixville 205 >> Victor Mominey had low-score honors for the Wildcats as they outshot the Phantoms in Wednesday’s PAC match.

Mominey carded a 35, two strokes ahead of teammate Nic Parr and four better than Stefania Fedun. Justin Geiger was Phoenixville’s leader with a 38.

Pottsgrove 208, Upper Perkiomen 209 >> With Steve Rinda securing low-man honors Wednesday, the Falcons edged the Indians in their PAC match at Gilbertsville Golf Course.

Rinda’s round of 38 was one stroke better than the 39 Nate Reinhart carded for UP. J.R. McMenamin followed with a 40 for the Falcons, heading the 41s of the Indians’ Donovan Hanney and Zack Silver.

Methacton 194, Perkiomen Valley 219 >> Jeff Cooper and Jason Rieger went 1-2 to spark the Warriors’ PAC win over the Vikings Wednesday,

Cooper was low man at 36, and Rieger followed with a 38. Colin Meyer added a 39, matching PV low man Ryan Horenci.

Girls golf

Spring-Ford 172, Perkiomen Valley 202 >> Though Abigail McCorkell got low-score honors for the Vikings, the Rams posted the next six cards to win Wednesday’s PAC match at Gilbertsville Golf Course.

McCorkell’s four-over-par round of 40 was one better than Spring-Ford’s Nicole Yun, but teammates Morgan Kunze and Alie Adams followed with 43s and Aleena Ghanta with a 45. Cierra Griffith and Alexa McPike had matching 47s ahead of PV second scorer Sarah Schoenewald’s 50.

Boys soccer

Spring-Ford 2, Methacton 2 >> Akshay Patel scored both Ram goals, and Zach Stevenson figured in both the Warriors’ tallies as they played all even through two overtimes of Thursday’s PAC game.

Patel’s first goal was unassisted as he scored after the ball bounced around the 18 yard box from a corner kick; his second was assisted by Connor Lynch. Methacton’s goals were by Matt Weber (assisted by Otto Hull from a direct free kick by Stevenson) and Steve Penjuke (Stevenson assist).

James Needles had two saves in the SF cage. For Methacton, Charlie Bordonaro had two stops while Steve Remish made five — among them blocking a Tommy Bodenschatz penalty kick late in the second half.

Fleetwood 2, Daniel Boone 1 >> Logan Krause accounted for the Blazers’ scoring in Thursday’s Berks League game with the Tigers.

Krause was assisted on his goal by Justin Fetrow. Boone outshot Fleetwood 7-5, and Zach Fick had three goalkeeper saves.

Girls soccer

Spring-Ford 2, Methacton 0 >> Hope Flanegin had a goal and an assist, and Ally McVey added a goal of her own as Spring-Ford knocked off visiting Methacton in Thursday’s PAC game.

Molly Thomas picked up the assist on McVey’s goal, and goalkeeper Riley Wallace did not need to make a save in registering her third clean sheet in four games. Spring-Ford outshot Methacton, 11-0.

Upper Perkiomen 1, Perkiomen Valley 0 >> Sarah Fisher scored in the 88th minute to lift the Indians over the Vikings in PAC action Thursday.

Bry Marinari assisted Fisher on her tally. which came eight minutes into overtime, Gabby Neal made six stops in goal for UP, with PV keeper Riley Hill turning away 10 shots.

Owen J. Roberts 4, Boyertown 0 >> Alexa Vogelman had a hat trick and the Wildcats rolled past the Bears in PAC play. Avery White rounded out the scoring for OJR, which is atop the PAC standings at 4-0-1. Defenders Mo Weaver, Emily Sands and defensive midfielder Gabby Koury led the Wildcats to a second straight shutout.

Girls volleyball

Perkiomen Valley 3, Pottsgrove 0 >> The Vikings swept the Falcons in Thursday’s PAC match by set scores of 25-7, 25-18 and 25-9.

For PV, Ashley Bolan (three kills, one block, three digs), Ella Beckman (three aces, five kills, 13 assists), Isabel Clauhs (eight kills, one block, two assists, five digs), Lilah Maus (five kills) and Jessica Lofton (two kills) were the statistical stars.

Exeter 3, Daniel Boone 0 >> The Eagle swept the Blazers Thursday by set scores of 25-23, 25-17 and 25-20.

For Boone, Aubrey Hunt had 13 kills, two blocks and one ace; and Ashley Kriebel made 10 digs and three kills.

Boys golf

Perkiomen Valley 206, Pottsgrove 218 >> Ryan Horenci secured low-man honors for the Vikings with the match’s lone sub-40 rounds as the Vikings handled the Falcons in Thursday’s PAC match at Raven’s Claw Golf Course.

Horenci turned in a one-under-par 35 to lead PV, which got a 40 from Nick Torillo. Steve Rinda and J.R. McMenamin were Pottsgrove’s co-leaders at 41.

Spring-Ford 200, Upper Perkiomen 224 >> Luke Watson and Joey Chillano carded sub-40 rounds in leading the Rams to victory over the Indians in Thursday’s PAC match at Macoby Run Golf Club.

Watson shot a 38, and Chillano a 39 for a Spring-Ford lineup whose first five golfers checked in ahead of UP leader Zach Silver (42). Luke Fazio, Garrett Wible and Joe Niblick finished with successive scores of 40, 41 and 42.

Spring-Ford defeated Upper Perkiomen 200-224 in PAC golf on Thursday. The 9-hole match was played at Macoby Run GC, Par 36.

Girls tennis

Spring-Ford 7, Upper Perkiomen 0 >> The Rams dropped just two games in Thursday’s PAC match with the Indians.

Mia Matriccino (first) and Cady Krause (third) were 6-0, 6-0 winners in singles, as were the doubles pairings of Lucy Olsen/Emily Tiffan (first), Alexis Luo/Evelyn Mejia (second) and Chloe Moore/Lana Hang (third).

Methacton 7, Phoenixville 0 >> Alice Liang and Hana Nouaime were a solid 1-2 for the Warriors as they swept Thursday’s PAC match from the Phantoms.

Liang and Nouaime both went 6-0, 6-0 in their respective first- and second-singles matches. Phoenixville’s best individual showing came at fourth doubles, where Peyton McDonnell and Rosa Gerner won five games.

Spring-Ford seniors Lucy Olsen and Emily Tiffan have earned plenty of hardware together on the basketball court. The two combined together on the tennis court Friday to give themselves a chance at competing for another championship trophy.

During Friday’s Pioneer Athletic Conference girls tennis championships at Perkiomen Valley High School, the Tiffan and Olsen duo advanced to Saturday’s doubles title match, where they’ll face Methacton’s Hana Nouaime and Alice Liang.

PHOTO GALLERY: PAC Girls Tennis Championships 10.9.20

Olsen and Tiffan will be two of five Rams competing for titles Saturday as Spring-Ford freshman Mia Matriccino will face sophomore Cady Krause in one singles semifinal, while Rams’ junior Isabel Mejia will face Owen J. Roberts freshman Allison Root in the other semifinal.

Tiffan and Olsen won an exciting semifinal match 6-2, 7-6(6) over Perkiomen Valley’s Gracie Strohecker and Kaitlyn Murphy, while Nouaime and Liang topped Methacton’s Pottsgrove’s Paige Lang and Kyla Hutchinson, who won a lengthy match over Phoenixville’s Caroline Schwartz and Annie Absher to secure their semifinal spot.

In singles action, Matriccino, Mejia and Root swept their quarterfinal matches against Boyertown’s Natalie Zaleski, Phoenixville’s Vicky Deluca and Upper Perk’s Hope Thompson, respectively. Krause, last year’s PAC individual champion, defeated Methacton’s Lauren Montgomery 6-1, 6-3 in her quarterfinal match.

Spring-Ford also had three PAC singles semifinalists last season with Krause defeating Mejia for the championship and Riley Burke finishing third. Mejia and Burke won the PAC doubles title in 2019.

GRATERFORD >> The next generation of Pioneer Athletic Conference stars was on center court this weekend.

They promise to put together a productive run for the next handful of years.

Spring-Ford freshman Mia Matriccino won the PAC singles championship Saturday. (Submitted)

Youth was well served at Perkiomen Valley during the PAC’s Singles/Doubles Tournament. The two singles finalists and one doubles champion from the two-day competition all hail from the Class of 2024, with the other doubles champ a sophomore.

PHOTO GALLERY: PAC Girls Tennis Championships 10.10.20

Leading the way was Spring-Ford top seed Mia Matriccino, who completed a straight-set sweep to her first singles title with a two-set win over fellow ninth-grader and second seed Allison Root of Owen J. Roberts. In the doubles bracket, Methacton freshman Hana Nouaime and sophomore Alice Liang had their own straight-set sweep, capped by a 6-2, 6-1 win over the Rams’ seniors Lucy Olsen and Emily Tiffan.

“I was really excited about it,” Matriccino, who dropped just four games on the weekend — three of them in the final — said about her PAC title. “It was important for me to come out well.”

OJR freshman Allison Root hits a shot during the PAC girls tennis singles final Saturday at Perkiomen Valley. (Owen McCue – MediaNews Group)

Matriccino was in command through the final match, going 6-1 to start before winning the second set 6-2. Her one loss in the first set came in the fifth game, and in the second she put together a four-win run after she and Root split the first two games.

She credited her serving as a key aspect of her play in the tournament.

“Especially this match,” Matriccino said. “I got a lot of points off my serves.”

“She’s a great player, very smart and confident,” SF head coach Todd Reagan said of his star freshman. “She’s always analyzing a match … a good assessor of how a match is going, and improving. Very cerebral.”

Root, who made the final by dispatching the Rams’ Isabel Mejia, last year’s PAC runner-up, in the semifinals 6-3, 6-2, showed evidence of frustration during the match, periodically heard to comment after missed shots and points.

“Allison is such a good player,” Reagan noted, “and Mia has the ability to push an opponent to have to play her absolute best. It can be frustrating to have to play a perfect match.”

Methacton’s Alice Liang, left, and Hana Nouaime won Saturday’s PAC doubles championship. (Owen McCue – MediaNews Group)

On her road to the singles championship, Matriccino supplanted a teammate in the semifinals. Cady Krause, Spring-Ford’s third-singles player who was the 2019 PAC Singles champ and Mercury All-Area Player of the Year, was handled by Matriccino, 6-0, 6-1.

Understandably, she had mixed feelings about that circumstance.

“Cady and I are good friends,” she said. “It’s hard to play her in a competitive match.”

The doubles competition featured a Methacton duo announced as their team’s representative this past week. They also admitted having played as a doubles entry once before, as 12-year-olds in a United States Tennis Association tournament.

“We had an idea we were going to play doubles, but we weren’t sure,” Liang said. “But we know each other.”

“We play at the same place,” Nouaime added.

That familiarity enabled the top-seeded Warriors to handle the third-seeded Olsen/Tiffan tandem, which was extended to a tiebreaker by Perk Valley’s Gracie Strohecker and Kaitlyn Murphy in their semifinal, 6-2 and 7-6 (6).

“They are very good,” Liang said. “They gave us trouble at one point.”

“We weren’t good at the start,” Nouaime added, “but then we got consistent.”

Normally Methacton’s first- and second-singles performers, Liang and Nouaime were tabbed for double play by head coach Jill Walker. With a smaller field of schools competing, there were only nine in the doubles bracket.

“You had to pick singles or doubles,” Walker explained. “You need a good strategy because Spring-Ford is so tough.

“Good chemistry pulls it out on the court,” she added. “Hana and Alice know each other and work out together. They balance each other out … they balance each other out and play a well-rounded game. They love to be aggressive at the net.”

The singles and doubles finalists now advance to the District 1 Tournament, to be played Oct. 23-24 at a site to be announced. Like the PACs, it will combine both singles and doubles play.

NOTES >> Spring-Ford had the most semifinal competitors with five. Owen J., Perk Valley and Pottsgrove (Kyla Hutchinson/Paige Lang) had the other three. … Reagan noted having nine teams playing in the league this fall was key to the PAC getting two singles and doubles berths in districts.