Perfection.
It’s almost impossible to attain perfection in the world of competitive sports, but during a magical regular season, the Wissahickon tennis team rolled to a 7-0 record in SOL play, capturing the program’s first American Conference crown in 10 years. Overall, the Trojans compiled a gaudy 15-0 record.
“Oh my gosh, it’s been great,” senior co-captain Katie Kennedy said. “It’s a great way to end my high school tennis career.
“The team is so close this year, and we all get along so well. Doing good is just the icing on the cake.”
‘Doing good’ hardly covers it in this case.
Kennedy and Rachel Fein were undefeated at first doubles for the Trojans, and Claire Uhle was perfect at second singles. Throw in the nearly perfect records of Michelle Satterfield, who was 14-1 at first singles and undefeated in league play, and Anne Marie Devlin, who lost only one league match in a tie breaker at third singles, and it’s easy to understand why the Trojans were so successful.
“Coming into the season, we knew we had a lot more girls coming up, and we expected a lot from them this year,” Fein said. “It’s our senior year, and we were trying to pump it up as much as possible.
“We really thought we could have a great season, and it ended up being exactly what we expected it to be.”
The foundation for this year’s successful season was laid last year.
“We were coming off the previous year having a very solid team, and I think last year was looked at as kind of a building year, but we had two freshmen come in,” coach Mary Ellen Devlin said. “
Those freshmen – Uhle and Devlin – made an immediate impact. Uhle stepped in at first singles while Devlin played first doubles.
“We really strengthened our lineup right away,” coach Devlin said. “By adding those two freshmen to the top of the lineup, we were able to make it to districts and even the first round of states.”
With the return of the nucleus of that squad this season, the Trojans entered the year with high expectations. The addition of freshman Michelle Satterfield at first singles made their lineup even more imposing since it moved Uhle to number two singles while Devlin played third singles.
That allowed Fein and Kennedy to play first doubles where they excelled. The duo also provided positive leadership to a team that included a lot of young players.
“We had a ‘big sister-little sister’ to try and get everyone to know each other,” Fein said.
There were also pasta parties and dress-up days.
“We’ll wear tie-dyed shirts or something to show that we’re a team,” Kennedy said. “That bonds us.”
“We made sure that everyone was in on the fun and getting to know each other,” Fein added.
Highlights of the season included a 4-3 win over defending conference champion Upper Dublin and a 4-3 non-league win over Abington in perhaps the team’s toughest test.
“Upper Dublin was such a good win,” Kennedy said. “To beat them – I think we came together more as a team. It was like, ‘Oh wow, we can be good.’”
“We had not beaten Upper Dublin since god knows when,” Fein said. “Not that I have anything against Upper Dublin, but it’s a great feeling knowing we finally accomplished something that’s always been there.”
Ask the senior captains what they will remember most about the season, and neither mentions a match or a big win.
“I’m definitely going to remember the girls,” Kennedy said. “They have had a great impact on me, and they really made my senior year great.
“I really liked that our team this year became somewhat of a family. I feel like all the girls can trust everyone on the team, and that’s such a good thing to have. It makes the team stronger.”
“I’ll probably remember the girls,” Fein added. “We had our Senior Night, and they made it the best night ever.
“They really put all their hearts into whatever they do, and that really stands out as a team.”
Still, neither will ever forget that their team rolled through the entire regular season without a loss.
“That’s such a great accomplishment for us,” Kennedy said.
And the season isn’t over yet for a Wissahickon squad that figures to be one of the top seeds in the upcoming district tournament.
“I figured (winning) the league would certainly be very doable,” coach Devlin said. “I’m not trying to make it more than it is, but it was exciting for the girls.
“Now we’re facing a situation where winning the league puts us in a better spot in districts.”
Satterfield has already earned a berth in states in singles play. The Trojans are hoping to do the same as a team.
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