With the addition of Mifflin County and State College; the perennial powerhouse that is the Commonwealth got a little bit stronger this season. While Red Land enters as the defending champions, look for a three-team horse race to the finish.
Teams are previewed in the order of their projected finish.
Cumberland Valleyis frequently among the class of the Mid-Penn and 2013 appears to be no different. The Eagles are soaring early in the season, defeating their three opponents by a combined 15-0 score.
Senior Ethan Lynn is as strong as anyone at number one singles and is followed by junior John Gaspich at second singles.
Veteran coach Nick Mallos also has a go-to first doubles team featuring junior Luke Clahane and senior Gregg Ballew.
It’s unlikely that State Collegewill make any friends in their inaugural season in the Commonwealth.
The Little Lions haven’t lost a regular season regular season dual match since 2007. Coach Jane Borden has a pair of highly decorated players atop her lineup in seniors Cooper Josephs and Edward Budding. Both have won district doubles titles in the State College area.
Their matchup with CV might qualify as must-see action.
The third team in the Commonwealth triangle will be the defending champions from Red Land.
The Patriots will once again be led by senior ace Ben Kunkel. Kunkel is coming off of a Mid-Penn championship at number one singles a season ago. The senior is a virtual lock atop the singles ladder.
Coach Randy Bixler’s group is a top-heavy bunch that will require a lot of production out of their singles players. Peter Landis and Mike Bacior round out the singles lineup that will often need to go 3-for-3 against the top teams in the area.
For a preview of the Keystone Division click here.
For the rest of the spring sports previews click here.
For a feature story on Camp Hill's Paxton Fitzpatrick, click here.
To project the rest of the Commonwealth you may as well put names in a hat.
CD East is coming off of a middle of the pack finish in 2012 and looks like they can settle into the fourth spot in the division.
Nate Beachy sits atop the depth chart for the Panthers followed by David Wilson.
Chambersburg is also coming off of a.500 finish in the division and boasts one of the more exciting players in the area.
Senior exchange student Moritz Pietz has established himself as a force at number one singles for the Trojans. Behind Pietz is fellow senior Brendan Bittle.
Coach Gary Hocker also possesses some doubles experience with seniors Charlie Scanzello and Alex Williams.
Central Dauphinis one of the younger teams in the conference and may have some growing pains early in the season.
Last season’s number doubles team of Aidan Henken and Ryan Seibert will step into first and second singles this spring. Coach Jere Bender will need the two sophomores to learn the ropes quick to keep pace in the Commonwealth.
In his first season in the division Coach Glenn Kyle is hoping that Mifflin Countycan reach the .500 mark.
Junior Connor Saltzer sits atop Kyle’s depth chart, just in front of sophomore Matt DeBenedetto. The Huskies will be a bit of a wild card and Kyle hopes that they can find consistency in the early stages of the season.
Carlisle should certainly improve on their winless campaign in 2012. Coach Seng Pham is looking for leadership at number one singles from senior John Heffernan.
Nick Wagner, another senior, will make the jump from the doubles courts to man the number two singles slot this season.
Cedar Cliff is led by a collection of juniors, highlighted by Conner Gill and Seth Wilson.
Coach Pat Gahr likes his balance from the first to fourth spots, but a lack of singles experience will make for some tough sledding early on this season.