The Tyrone Girls Tennis Team has a lot of new faces for the 2023-2024 season. Of the 18 players on the team, 12 are completely new to the sport.
According to Head Coach Randy Irvin, the girls are enthusiastic and the team is improving every day.
“The new girls on the team are doing a tremendous job of learning and playing the game at the same time,” Irvin said.
The girls are currently 3-4 with losses to Central (0-5), Hollidaysburg (0-5), Clearfield (2-3), and Central Cambria (1-4 ) and wins over Bishop Guilfoyle (forfeit), Huntington (3-2), and Shanksville-Stonycreek (5-2 ).
Along with many new players, the Lady Eagles have also joined a new league, the Laurel Highlands.
The new girls on the team are doing a tremendous job of learning and playing the game at the same time
— Head Coach Randy Irvin
As a result, the format of the matches is slightly different this year. In the Mountain League, there were five singles and two doubles matches. This season, it’s three singles and two doubles matches.
Tyrone junior Emma Witkamp is currently the team’s number-one singles player.
“I feel very honored to be the number one on the team. I will always try my hardest to represent our team well both on and off the court,” Witkamp said.
Tyrone sophomore Nicole Ramsey is currently the number two singles player.
“I really enjoy being able to play singles this year as the number two singles player. The girls I see are really good, and it’s nice to have a challenge while playing,” Ramsey said.
Junior Hannah McClellan, in just her second year of competitive tennis, is the Lady Eagle’s number three singles player.
“I started last year with no prior experience, so playing at number three this season has been a huge achievement for me. I’ve definitely worked hard to hold this position and I definitely could not be the player I am without the support of my team and coaches,” McClellan said.
Freshman Ezri Bumgarner and senior Carena Eameigh from Bellwood-Antis HS are currently playing as the number one doubles team, with sophomore Bella Laird and junior Gianna Juart from Bellwood playing as the team’s number two doubles.
Changing leagues has also added more matches to the schedule, giving them more time and experience to prepare for districts.
The girls’ next match is at home against Bishop Giulfoyle on Monday, September 11 at 3:30 p.m.
I started last year with no prior experience, so playing at number three this season has been a huge achievement for me. I’ve definitely worked hard to hold this position and I definitely could not be the player I am without the support of my team and coaches
— Junior Hannah McClellan
