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By TRACY WATSON
WELLSBURG -- Brooke tennis coach Emily Beall returns for her 12th season with the Bruins, her fifth with the girls after coaching the boys for seven campaigns, and is excited about her team, even after losing her top three players.
Gone from last year's squad after graduation are Katie Conaway, Maddie Marks and Morgan Zopp, all major contributors.
"We started out in a bit of a timid slump last year, but then came out swinging mid-season," Beall said. "But after losing the top three players from that team I was a little worried about what the turnout might be this season.
"But the biggest thing I had been looking forward to was seeing the improvement in my underclassmen, and I am very excited about that."
A pair of returners that Beall will look to be major factors are sophomore Kathryn Marks and junior Katelyn Moffo.
"Kathryn proved to hold her own at No. 3 doubles last year and has worked very hard in the off-season," Beall said. "Her power and shot placement are overwhelming for how small she is and it is really fun to watch her hit.
"Katelyn has improved immensely since her freshman season and I am excited and interested to see where she falls into the ranks this year."
Promising freshman Shaelyn Secrist is another player that has caught Beall's attention and could be a huge addition to the squad while there are a trio of first-year seniors out in Harley Wilson, Adreanna Bailey and Leah Capparos. Rounding out the roster will be junior Marissa Chiodi and sophomore Mary Kosevic.
"Shaelyn is a quiet player, just like Kathryn, which is something that I have found to be dangerous in tennis," Beall said. "I am also excited about my three first-year seniors, who are all good athletes with natural ability that play very confident. They are all very competitive and looking to have fun.
"Both Marissa and Mary are young into the game of tennis, but their athleticism and eagerness to learn will definitely pay off for them.
"Tennis is just such a fun sport and I am very pumped for the upcoming season. The camaraderie with all of the teams in the OVAC helps make it fun. We are very blessed to have such wonderful, well-rounded kids come out for our program each season."
Coach Brian Cerullo's boys' team has a pair of returning seniors that he hopes will assume the top two seeds in the ranks. Seniors Nick Calvert and Gavin Browne will be looked upon in those roles.
Also back from last season are juniors Mason Zopp and Colin Heilman and sophomore Tony Apesos. Freshmen to watch are Anthony Taylor, Noah Horvath and Andrew Ramos, who are all expected to compete for varsity positions.
"The juniors have improved so much from last season and look to really be helpful at the 3 and 4 seeds," Beall said. "Our top four returners are pretty competitive with one and another so filling those spots should be rather fun to watch."
"Tony (Apesos) has also shown improvement and has a chance to make the top six this season while it is really wonderful to have so many freshmen show an interest in the sport, and this group has showed a lot of athleticism thus far."
March 18: at Morgantown/University 1:30 p.m.
March 22: John Marshall 4 p.m.
March 23: at Steubenville (girls) 4 p.m.
March 27: Wheeling Central (boys) 3:30 p.m.
March 28: at St. Clairsville 4 p.m.
March 29: at Wheeling Park 3:30 p.m.
March 30: University 3:30 p.m.
March 31: Linsly (girls) 4:15 p.m.
April 1: Linsly 10:30 a.m.
April 3: Morgantown 3:30 p.m.
April 4: at John Marshall 3:45 p.m.
April 6: Wheeling Park 3:30 p.m.
April 8: Cambridge/Indian Creek (boys) 11:30 a.m.
April 8: Indian Creek (girls) 1 p.m.
April 12: Buckhannon-Upshur 12:30 p.m.
April 17: St. Clairsville TBA
April 18: at Wheeling Central (boys) 3:30 p.m.
April 20: Oak Glen 3:45 p.m.
April 21: Magnolia (girls) 4 p.m.