Perk Valley edges Phantoms in girls tennis

PHOENIXVILLE - In a toss-up Pioneer Athletic Conference girls tennis match, Perkiomen Valley nipped Phoenixville, 4-3, Wednesday afternoon in the league opener for both schools at the Leo J. Scoda Tennis Courts.

The visiting Vikings displayed a little more depth in their lineup as they won three of four doubles matches and third singles to post the team victory.

The Phantoms picked up their points at first and second singles, with Julie McNabb and Lexi Crovetti, and at second doubles with the tandem of Kira Landis and Gabby Pattinson in a three-set match to close out the varsity card.

“It was a very good win,” said Perkiomen Valley coach Jennifer Dixon. “We’re very pleased with today’s win. It’s a nice start to our season.”

Perkiomen Valley has five returning varsity players out of the starting 11 and the other six are up from junior varsity.

“It’s a mix,” said Dixon. “We are almost 50-50 on varsity experience.”

Perkiomen Valley claimed its first team point at third singles as senior Leona Kretzu defeated senior Lauren Jenkins 6-2, 6-0.

At first doubles, Perkiomen Valley’s senior combination of Abena Aggrey and Danielle Newbill defeated Stacey Miles and Robin Burgess 6-2, 6-4.

At fourth doubles, the Vikes’ tandem of sophomore Isabel Dove and junior Maddie Conte recovered from an 0-3 start in the first set to defeat Devonne Moore and Becky Randolph 6-3, 6-3.

Finally, at third doubles, PV’s unit of senior Jordan Bear and junior Macey Tanseco beat Liv Teter and Maddy DiAddezio 7-6 (7-1 tiebreaker), 6-0.

McNabb, the Phantoms’ senior left-hander at first singles, looked strong in a 6-1, 6-4 victory over PV junior Emily Wendel. McNabb led throughout the first set as she opened up an early 4-1 lead.

In the second set, McNabb led at 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3 and 5-4 before winning the match.

That match ended after Phoenixville junior Crovetti made up deficits in both sets to stop senior Vini Kumar 6-2, 6-3.

Crovetti trailed 1-0 and 2-1 in the first set before taking control at 3-2. In the second set, Crovetti was down 3-0 before reeling off verdicts in six straight games to seal the match.

“I think I always start out really slow,” said Crovetti. “I am realy nervous. Then all my nerves go away and I take chances and hit the ball well.

“I just take risks. I have been practicing a lot of stuff I learn from my coach (John Zittel) because I want to play in college.”

NOTES
Zittel began his 12th season of directing the Phantoms while Dixon is in her 10th year with the Vikings. ... One of her PV assistant coaches is Ryan Curley, a former Phoenixville standout player who also assists Leo Scoda with the boys tennis team at Phoenixville during the spring months.