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The Daily Journal

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SPORTS

Monday, September 5, 2011 C3

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Amanda Jamieson
Vineland
YEAR: Senior No. 3 singles THE SKINNY: An incredible athlete. Could cause matchup problems for opponents.

Clan, Lions eye conference crowns; Bolts, Chiefs need to adjust quickly
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Staff Writer jfriedman@thedailyjournal.com

2011 GIRLS TENNIS SCHEDULES Vineland

September 7 at Bridgeton 4pm 9 Atlantic City 4pm 11 at Moorestown TBA 12 at Hammonton 4pm 13 at Delsea 4pm 14 Absegami 4pm 16 Ocean City 4pm 19 at Oakcrest 4pm 20 CAL Tourney 2:30pm 21 CAL Tourney 3pm 22 CAL Tourney 4pm 24 S. Jersey Coaches Tourn. at Vineland TBA 25 S. Jersey Coaches Tourn. at Vineland TBA 26 at Egg Harbor 4pm 28 Sacred Heart 4pm 30 Millville 4pm October 3 at Mainland 4pm 5 at Atlantic City 4pm 7 at Hammonton 4pm 10 Vineland Invitational 9:30am 11 at Absegami 4pm 12 at Sacred Heart 4pm 13 at Ocean City 4pm 19 Cumberland 3:30pm 21 Egg Harbor 4pm 24 at Millville 3:30pm 25 at Cedar Creek 3:30pm 26 at Mainland 3:30pm 19 20 21 24 at Bridgeton Woodstown at Cedar Creek at Buena Regional 3:30pm 4pm 3:30pm 3:30pm

OLMA
September 6 at Hammonton 9 at Buena 12 Middle Twp 15 at Pleasantville 16 Sacred Heart 17 Gloucester Co. Tourney 18 Gloucester Co. Tourney 19 at Holy Spirit 20 CAL Tourney at Vineland 21 CAL Tourney at Vineland 22 at Wildwood Catholic 23 Lower Cape May 26 at Bridgeton 27 Oakcrest 30 Cedar Creek October 3 Buena 6 at Middle Twp 7 Pleasantville 11 at Sacred Heart 13 Holy Spirit 17 Wildwood Catholic 20 at Lower Cape May 21 Bridgeton 24 at Cedar Creek 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm TBA TBA 4pm 2:30pm 3pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 3:30pm 3:30pm 3:30pm 3:30pm

Emily Corson
Millville
YEAR: Senior No. 2 singles THE SKINNY: One of Bolts two new singles players. Has to learn on the fly.

A team-by-team breakdown of high school girls tennis in the greater Cumberland County area.

VINELAND
Coach: Harry Silverstein (29th season) Conference: Cape-Atlantic League American Conference Group: IV South Last year: 20-5, lost in Group IV South quarterfinals Returning starters: 3 Key players: Blake Pescatore (Sr., No. 1 singles), Sarah Jannarone (Sr., No. 2 singles), Amanda Jamieson (Sr., No. 3 singles). Top newcomers: Neeraja Thakur (Fr., doubles). Outlook: The Fighting Clan have improved their win total each of the past five seasons (4, 7, 10, 11, 20), and this year seems to be their best shot at making a deep run in the Group IV South playoffs. Vineland has one of the best singles lineups in the Cape-Atlantic League as Pescatore, the 2009 Daily Journal Player of the Year, leads the way. Jannarone has plenty of experience as shell be playing singles for the third straight season, and Jamieson is one of the most athletic players around and could cause huge matchup issues. While the Fighting Clan arent very strong at doubles yet, the singles lineup should allow those younger kids to grow. Prediction: Vineland pushes for a CAL American title and goes deep into the postseason.

Nina Contento
Buena
YEAR: Senior No. 3 singles THE SKINNY: Buenas team leader, shes playing singles for the first time.

Millville
September 6 at Cumberland 4pm 8 Haddonfield 4pm 12 Egg Harbor Twp 4pm 14 at Ocean City 4pm 15 Woodstown 4pm 16 at Mainland 4pm 17 Delbarton at Moorestown Classic 9am 19 Atlantic City 4pm 20 CAL Tourney at Vineland 2:30pm 21 CAL Tourney at Vineland 3pm 22 CAL Tourney at Vineland 4pm 23 at Hammonton 4pm 24 S. Jersey Coaches Tourn. at Vineland TBA 25 S. Jersey Coaches Tourn. at Vineland TBA 26 Absegami 4pm 29 at Lower Cape May 4pm 30 at Vineland 4pm October 3 Oakcrest 4pm 4 Woodbury 4pm 6 at Holy Spirit 4pm 10 Vineland Invitational 9:30pm 11 Ocean City 4pm 13 Mainland 4pm 14 at Egg Harbor Twp 4pm 17 at Atlantic City 4pm 18 at Clearview 4pm 19 Hammonton 4pm 21 at Absegami 4pm 24 Vineland 3:30pm 25 at Middle 3:30pm 26 at Oakcrest 3:30pm 27 at Schalick 3:45pm

Delsea Regional
September 7 Cumberland Regional 9 at Williamstown 13 Vineland 14 Glocuester Catholic 16 Clearview 19 at Highland 21 Kingsway 23 at Penns Grove 27 Pennsville 28 at Cumberland Regional 30 Williamstown October 3 at Clearview 4 at Haddon Heights 5 Deptford 7 Highland 11 at Woodstown 12 at Kingsway 13 at Salem 18 Buena Regional 3:45pm 3:45pm 4pm 3:45pm 3:45pm 3:45pm 3:45pm 3:45pm 3:45pm 4pm 3:45pm 3:45pm 3:45pm 3:45pm 3:45pm 4pm 3:45pm 4pm 4pm

Staff photo/Cody Glenn

Amanda Goff
Sacred Heart
YEAR: Soph. No. 2 singles THE SKINNY: Went 23-3 as a freshman at No. 3. Can she do the same at No. 2?

Vineland No. 1 Blake Pescatore returns a shot in a match against Millville last season.

SACRED HEART
Coach: Krystee Mosley (3rd season, 34-13) Conference: CAL National Group: Non-Public B South Last year: 19-5, lost in Non-Public B South semifinals Returning starters: 5 Key players: Rachele Smith (Sr., No. 1 singles), Amanda Goff (Soph., No. 2 singles), Abby Bencie (Sr., No. 3 singles). Top newcomers: Lauren Cavallo (Soph., doubles), Katie ORourke (Jr., doubles). Outlook: With just two returners last season, the Lions managed to go 19-5 and reach the Non-Public B South semifinals. This year, Sacred Heart brings back five players, which should translate into an even better season. Smith comes back as the teams No.1. She went 18-8 last year and could produce a more impressive record. Goff jumps from No. 3 to No. 2. As a freshman, she went 233. The competition will be tougher this season, but shes more than capable of holding her own. Bencie will play No. 3. Its her first season playing singles. Dana DiMatteo and Patrice Basada went 15-2 at second doubles last year and could have a big year at No. 1. At second doubles, ORourke and Cavallo have shown potential. Sacred Hearts only concern this year is injuries. With just seven players on the roster, health will be a MAJOR factor. Prediction: The Lions have the potential to make it to a sectional final.

Alissa Kazan
Our Lady of Mercy
YEAR: Senior No. 2 singles THE SKINNY: Went 18-6 at third singles in 2010. Will be key to OLMAs success.

MILLVILLE
Coach: Tom DeCou (5th season, 92-17) Conference: CAL American Group: IV South Last year: 18-5, lost in Group IV South quarterfinals Returning starters: 5 Key players: Amanda Hickman (Sr., No. 1 singles), Emily Corson (Sr., No. 2 singles). Top newcomers: Erin Chard (Jr., No. 3 singles). Outlook: The Thunderbolts are starting a new era this season. Millville, which has won at least a share of the CAL American each of the past four years, lost Sarah Lippincott, the programs all-time singles wins leader and reigning Daily Journal POY, and Kaila Gaughan, a very strong No. 3 and four-year varsity starter. Hickman should transition well to No. 1 as shes succeeded everywhere shes ever played (doubles, third singles and second singles), but the rest of the lineup has question marks. Corson moves up from second doubles to second singles while Chard jumped to No. 3 after playing JV last season. The doubles have some continuity as senior Danielle Mazzola and Brooke Thompson, last years top pairing, are back, but second doubles is still an uncertainty. Prediction: Millville should be a playoff team, but how far it goes depends on how players develop in new positions.

Diana Sandoval
Bridgeton
YEAR: Junior No. 1 singles THE SKINNY: Was the only Bulldog to record a winning record last season.

very familiar face. Breech, who has been very successful with the boys program over the years, takes over a girls team that is coming off a season in which it had a poor record, but did reach the sectional semifinals. How this years squad fares will largely depend on the health of Mary Kate Maloney. The senior is currently at No. 1, but her back, which forced her to miss last season, is still aching, and how much she plays in the future is unknown. If she stays healthy, the Colts are fairly solid at the top. Mary Kates sister Shannon would play No. 2 and Birney, a varsity newcomer, will play at No. 3. Sophomore Zoe Taylor and junior Karen Johnson would play at No. 1 doubles together after playing No. 2 last season while second doubles would see a pair of newcomers teaming up. Prediction: The Colts could finish .500 or better with Mary Kate in the lineup. Without her, however, the team would have to scramble to hit that mark.

Cumberland Regional
September 6 Millville 7 at Delsea 9 Highland 14 at Schalick 16 at Williamstown 19 Kingsway 21 at Clearview 23 at Glassboro 26 Pitman 28 Delsea 30 at Highland October 3 Williamstown 5 at Pennsville 7 at Kingsway 12 Clearview 14 at GCIT 19 at Vineland 4pm 3:45pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 3:45pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 3:30pm

Buena Regional
September 8 at Pennsville 4pm 9 OLMA 4pm 12 at Wildwood 4pm 14 Lower Cape May 4pm 16 at Bridgeton 4pm 20 CAL Tourney at Vineland 2:30pm 21 CAL Tourney at Vineland 3pm 22 CAL Tourney at Vineland 4pm 23 at Middle Township 4pm 26 Pleasantville 4pm 27 Cedar Creek 4pm 28 Egg Harbor 4pm 30 at Sacred Heart 4pm October 3 at OLMA 4pm 4 Glassboro 4pm 5 Wildwood Catholic 4pm 6 at Lower Cape May 4pm 11 Bridgeton 4pm 12 at Schalick 4pm 14 at Oakcrest 4pm 18 at Delsea 4pm 19 Middle Township 4pm 21 at Pleaseantville 4pm 24 Sacred Heart 3:30pm

Schalick
September 6 Woodbury 7 at Salem 9 Pennsville 12 at Woodstown 14 Cumberland 16 Wildwood 19 Pitman 22 Penns Grove 23 at Kingsway 26 at Gloucester 28 Salem 29 at Pennsville October 5 at GCIT 7 at Pitman 11 GCIT 12 Buena 14 at Woodstown 17 Glassboro 20 at Wildwood 27 Millville 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 3:45pm

SCHALICK
Coach: John Romano (2nd season, 4-12) Conference: Tri-Co Classic Group: I South Last year: 4-12, missed playoffs Returning starters: 8 Key players: Caroline Kavanagh (Sr., No. 1 singles), Kylee Barton (Soph., No. 2 singles), Samantha Lindmeier (Sr., No. 3 singles). Top newcomers: Grace Carpenter (Fr., doubles). Outlook: The Cougars have more experience than any other area team this season. Schalick brought back its entire varsity lineup from last year, and added a solid freshman in Carpenter as well. Kavanagh returns as the teams No. 1 while Barton bumped up from No. 3 to No. 2. Currently, Lindmeier sits at third singles after playing first doubles last year. That leaves senior Courtney Ferrari, last years No. 2, playing doubles along with returners Alexis Penn, Georgia Maitland, Victoria Kasprzak and Mariah Soyring, as well as Carpenter. How the lineup shakes out by midseason is still a mystery, but this team has enough varsity playing time to make a big jump in the Tri-County Conference. Prediction: Schalick has a good chance to get above .500 this season with all the players it brings back.

KEY MATCHES
Vineland vs. Ocean City: at Vineland Sept. 16, 4 p.m.; at Ocean City Oct. 13, 4 p.m. Vineland and Ocean City are two of the frontrunners for the Cape-Atlantic League American Conference championship. The Fighting Clan defeated the Red Raiders twice last season (4-1 and 3-2), but Ocean City brings back plenty of talent.Vineland also has to keep an eye out for Mainland, which graduated a lot but always reloads. The two squads meet on Oct. 3 and 26. Our Lady of Mercy vs. Sacred Heart: at OLMA Sept. 16, 4 p.m.; at Sacred Heart Oct. 11, 4 p.m. Both teams bring back five starters from a season ago and have high expectations for the year. Sacred Heart won both matches in 2010 by a 4-1 score. If the Villagers want to make the leap into the CAL Nationals elite, they have to beat the Lions. Cape-Atlantic League tournament, Sept. 20-22 at Vineland High School Holy Spirit junior Adrienne Kaye has won this tournament two seasons in a row, and will be a favorite to repeat yet again. Vinelands Blake Pescatore made it to the semifinals last year before losing to Millvilles Sarah Lippincott. Lippincott has since graduated, and Pescatore is a favorite to reach the finals opposite Kaye. Also keep an eye on Millvilles Amanda Hickman, OLMAs Bridget Dandrea and Sacred Hearts Rachele Smith, all of whom are capable of making it at least to the quarterfinals. Vineland vs. Millville: at Vineland Sept. 30, 4 p.m.; at Millville Oct. 24, 3:30 p.m. The Thunderbolts havent lost to the Fighting Clan since the 2005 season. That streak may come to an end this year. Millville lost some key singles players to graduation, and Vinelands singles lineup is as strong as its been in years. For the first time since the 05 season, the Fighting Clan enter a season as the favorite in this rivalry.

DELSEA REGIONAL
Coach: Lakishia Powell (12th season, 70-113) Conference: Tri-Co Royal Division Group: III South Last year: 10-8, lost in Group III South quarterfinals Returning starters: 3 Key players: Sarah McAlister (Sr., No. 1 singles), Sam Mazzi (Sr., No. 2 singles). Top newcomers: Katie Kronberger (Jr., No. 3 singles). Outlook: The Crusaders rebounded from a 3-13 season in 2009 with a 10-8 season last year. If Delsea wants to continue its upward swing, some new players will have to step up into key roles. Thankfully for the Crusaders, not everyone is gone. McAlister, who played both No. 1 and 2 last year, is entrenched on Court 1 this season. Behind her is Mazzi, who went 11-8 at No. 3 in 2010. Kronberger will get her first taste of varsity action at No. 3. How she fares will be key. At doubles, senior Kayleen Kane a varsity returnee will pair with freshman Julia Ruczynski at first doubles while Breanna Reece and Jordan Casey will team up at No. 2. Prediction: If Delsea can match its record from last season, the year will be a success.

Sacred Heart
September 6 at Oakcrest 4pm 9 at Middle Twp 4pm 12 at Pleasantville 4pm 16 at OLMA 4pm 19 Wildwood 4pm 20 CAL Tourney at Vineland 2:30pm 21 CAL Tourney at Vineland 3pm 22 CAL Tourney at Vineland 4pm 23 Bridgeton 4pm 26 Cedar Creek 4pm 28 at Vineland 4pm 29 Egg Harbor Twp 4pm 30 Buena 4pm October 3 Middle Twp 4pm 5 at Pleasantville 4pm 7 at Holy Spirit 4pm 10 at Vineland Invitational 9:30am 11 OLMA 4pm 12 Vineland 4pm 13 at Wildwood Catholic 4pm 17 Lower Cape May 3:30pm

Bridgeton
September 7 Vineland 4pm 9 Lower Cape May 4pm 12 Holy Spirit 4pm 14 at Cedar Creek 4pm 16 Buena 4pm 19 at Middle Twp. 4pm 20 CAL Tourney at Vineland 2:30pm 21 Pleasantville 4pm 23 at Sacred Heart 4pm 26 OLMA 4pm 30 Wildwood Catholic 4pm October 3 at Lower Cape May 4pm 5 at Holy Spirit 4pm 7 Cedar Creek 4pm 11 at Buena 4pm 13 Middle Twp. 4pm 17 at Pleasantville 4pm 19 Sacred Heart 3:30pm 21 at OLMA 3:30pm 24 at Wildwood Catholic 4pm

BUENA REGIONAL
Coach: Scott Sieminski (6th season, 70-43) Conference: CAL National Group: II South Last year: 11-12, lost in Group II South quarterfinals Returning starters: 4 Key players: Amy Pyffer (Sr., No. 2 singles), Nina Contento (Sr., No. 3 singles). Top newcomers: Jessie Houston (Jr., No. 1 singles). Outlook: The Chiefs are looking to make a quick rebuild. Buena lost four of its top five from a season ago, but is still aiming to be one of the CAL Nationals better teams. Houston is making the jump from No. 1 JV to No. 1 singles. She has a consistent stroke and game and should be able to hold her own within the conference. Pyffer and Contento, occasional doubles partners last season, round out the singles lineup at Nos. 2 and 3. Pyffer hits a lot of balls back while Contento is Buenas team-leader. Seniors Deanna Rainear and Cara Cone both have doubles experience, and will likely play together at No. 1 this season. At second doubles, Katelyn Albertson and Ana Nicolo could make a very capable pairing. Prediction: Buena will hover around .500 and make the postseason.

OLMA
Coach: Sam Miles (5th season, 29-45) Conference: CAL National Group: Non-Public B South Last year: 14-6, lost in Non-Public B South quarterfinals Returning starters: 5 Key players: Bridget Dandrea (Jr., No. 1 singles), Alissa Kazan (Sr., No. 2 singles), Lusi Jane Arargil (Sr., No. 3 singles). Top newcomers: Gianna Vozzi (Jr., doubles). Outlook: Much like Vineland, OLMA has improved drastically over the past several seasons. The Villagers had just two wins back in 2007, but produced their first above-.500 campaign last year. In 2011, they should be even better as five players come back from last years squad. Dandrea, the teams No. 1 since she was a freshman, returns and should be one of the better players in the CAL National. Kazan takes over for Laura Gedrimas at No. 2.

PLAYOFF INFO
Teams must have a .500 record by Sept. 26 to qualify for the sectional playoffs. Teams may be seeded into the tournament having less than a .500 record as determined by the seeding committee. Brackets will be filled in order of winning percentage; ties will be broken using the standard procedure: head-to-head competition, common opponents and strength of schedule. First round games must be played by Oct. 6. Second round games must be played by Oct. 11. Third round games must be played by Oct. 13. Sectional finals must be played by Oct. 17. State group championships will be held on Oct. 19 at Mercer County Park in West Windsor. The Tournament of Champions starts Oct. 23. No. 1 singles players must have a .600 record on Sept. 26 to qualify for the state singles championship tournament. No. 2 and No. 3 singles players may make the tournament at the discretion of the tournament committee. The first two rounds will be played Oct. 9. The second two rounds will be played Oct. 15. Quarterfinals and semifinals are scheduled for Oct. 16. The championship date has yet to be determined. No. 1 doubles teams must have a .700 record by Sept. 26 to qualify for the doubles championship tournament. Dates are the same as the singles tournament.

CUMBERLAND REG.
Coach: Jim Breech (1st season, 0-0) Conference: Tri-Co Royal Group: III South Last year: 7-11, lost in Group III South semifinals Returning starters: 3 Key players: Mary Kate Maloney (Sr., No. 1 singles), Shannon Maloney (Jr., No. 2 singles). Top newcomers: Bianca Birney (Soph., No. 3 singles). Outlook: The Colts are under the direction of a new coach, but a

Gedrimas went 22-4 last year, but Kazan was very strong at No. 3 going 18-6. Arargil will get her first taste of singles at No. 3. The doubles lineup has experience as Claire Stimson and Cristina DiCicco, last years No. 2 team, return to play No. 1. OLMAs second doubles is still being hammered out, but should have time to develop with the strength above it on the depth chart. Prediction: OLMA could improve on its record from last season, but to prove its one of the best teams in the conference, itll have to have a marquee win against rivals Holy Spirit or Sacred Heart.

BRIDGETON
Coach: Aaron Pope (2nd season, 7-13) Conference: CAL National Group: II South Last year: 7-13, lost in Group II South first round Returning starters: 3 Key players: Diana Sandoval (Jr.,

No. 1 singles), Denise Juarez (Jr., No. 2 singles), Ruby Nava (Soph., No. 3 singles). Top newcomers: Tyrusha Wallop (Soph., No. 1 doubles), Jessica Love (Sr., No. 1 doubles). Outlook: The Bulldogs showed some bark last season, scoring three more victories than they had the season before. One of the big reasons for that was the play of Sandoval. At No. 3 singles, she went 10-8, producing the only winning record on the team. Shell take over No. 1 this season. Behind her will be returners Juarez and Nava, giving some varsity experience to the singles rotation. At doubles, Wallop and Love are penciled it at No. 1 while the young tandem of Shakia Singleton (sophomore) and Vanessa Boatwright (freshman) are slated to play No. 2. Prediction: The Bulldogs are starting to build consistency in their program. A repeat of last years record would be a good year.