SOUTH PHILADELPHIA – Yesterday afternoon kicked off Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) play for the Hallahan Mickey Mouse and the Lansdale Catholic Crusaders. Hallahan hosted Lansdale at their home courts in Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park.
Last year each team ended their season in a contrasting fashion. The Crusaders finished their regular season undefeated, but lost to Cardinal O’Hara in the PCL Championship. As a doubles team, Angela Whittam and Jackie Campbell, were awarded as League MVP’s and were also honored as first team All Catholic’s. Lansdale ended their 2015 season winning the District 12 championship against Masterman.
Hallahan vs. Lansdale Catholic (23 Photos)
After losing 10 seniors, the Crusaders tennis team returns just one starting senior, No. 1 singles player Jackie Campbell.
“This year Jackie (Campbell) has worked really hard. She went to camp this summer and had private lessons, so I expect great things from her,” said Bradshaw. “Everyone else who returned on the team were exhibition players last year, including Shannon (Carr), who has put in a lot of work over the summer to be our No. 2 singles player. Our No. 3 singles player, Ally Keenan, just keeps returning everything. This is her first year on the team and she is a senior.”
With her new set of girls, Bradshaw is concentrating on the fundamentals in order for her team to outlast their opponents.
“The main things that we are focusing on is to really focus on the ball. A lot of people tend to stop looking at it way before it hits their racket and look over the net,” said Bradshaw. “We are trying to focus on watching the ball leave our opponents strings and to move our feet more.”
For Hallahan, this season marks the tennis program’s 5th year. Last year the Mickey Mouse only won one match, but had promising young talent. This season, Hallahan returns a powerful singles player, senior Xhouana Kowda, who hasn’t played on the team since her freshman year.
“She is really good and has been playing her entire life,” said Hallahan's head coach Kris Potemski.
This year Potemski, has high hopes for his team. He is concentrating on developing his players’ skills while having fun in the process.
Hallahan's Xhouana Kowda attempts a powerful serve vs. Jackie Campbell - PSD Photo
“The league this year is not as strong as it usually is, so I think it is up for grabs at this point,” said Potemski. “Overall I tell them just to have fun, most of our girls are just starting out. I took all of the girls that wanted to come out no matter what their skill level. As long as they can get better and improve throughout the year and have fun then everything is good.”
Hallahan junior, Hayley Banks expressed her team goals for this season.
“Compared to last year, we are really trying to improve as a team with our new members. We are trying to get them to a point where they can play well so we can play together as an entire team,” said Banks who plays No. 1 doubles. “Win or lose we are trying to create bonds with each other so we can play well together on the court.”
In the end, Lansdale Catholic captured its first league victory on the road vs. Hallahan. Match Score: 4-1
One key win of the afternoon came from Lansdale’s No. 2 singles player, sophomore Shannon Carr, who managed to win her match despite having an ankle injury.
“I tried to keep hitting it deep so I would have more time to prepare to get to the ball, since I am a little slower,” said Carr. “I also tried to hit it lighter so she (Sara Cavalcanti) wouldn’t hit it back as hard, and it worked out.”
Looking Ahead: The Mickey Mouse will host St. Hubert’s this afternoon in FDR Park at 3:45PM. The Crusaders will travel to Bonner-Prendie this afternoon at 3:30PM