Connellsville girl’s tennis team ready for new section foes
CONNELLSVILLE – After a successful run through Section 5-AAA, the Connellsville girls tennis team will move in a new direction in 2002 due to realignment by the WPIAL. Don Campbell’s squad finished 16-1 overall last season, losing only to Upper St. Clair in the second round of the playoffs. The Lady Falcons went undefeated in winning their second consecutive section title.
After playing foes mostly in the Washington County area, Connellsville will now travel to the Westmoreland County region for section matches. Hempfield was moved along with Connellsville into Section 1-AAA to face Franklin Regional, Greensburg Salem, Indiana, Kiski Area, Latrobe and Norwin.
“Latrobe is the team to beat. There’s no doubt about that. Clarissa Walker was the state singles champion two years ago and they picked up a good freshman,” said Campbell, whose Lady Falcons defeated Latrobe near the end of the regular season last year.
“Hempfield is always an excellent team. Indiana can be counted on to have a very good team. It’s definitely a stronger section. We won’t sneak up on anyone.”
Campbell will take a veteran squad into the new schedule with six letter winners from last year. The Lady Falcons lost Julie Pritts and Melissa Evans to graduation, but the strength is there to fill the gaps.
Senior Beth Conlon is the undisputed No. 1 singles player for Connellsville. The next three players are battling for the other two singles sports with one of the three manning first doubles.
“Kristina Grove, Erica Husband and Kim Rankin are very close. One will be on first doubles. Kristina is an excellent doubles player. We’ll look at the opposition. We concentrate on winning at first doubles,” Campbell said. “If I could come up with a very good No. 2 doubles team, that’s what I’m looking for. Doubles matches are usually pivotal for me. The success we’ve had we have been successful at doubles.
“I’m looking for one of the girls to emerge as a leader. This is a good group of girls that have worked hard. Some put in a hard summer. We feel we have a good shot at the section.”
The Lady Falcons have a busy first week of the season with four matches in consecutive days beginning next Monday when they host non-section foe Southmoreland. Connellsville jumps into section action Tuesday at Indiana, then stay on the road Wednesday for a non-section match at Brownsville. Connellsville closes the first week with a home section match against Kiski Area on Thursday.