Blue Mountain's Mary Solga serves during a preseason practice Aug. 12. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)

Blue Mountain and Tamaqua qualified for the District 11 Class AA Team Tournament in girls’ tennis last fall.

Don’t be surprised to see them back in the eight-team field at the end of the regular season.

Both teams had some graduation losses, but both have enough returning talent to put a competitive lineup on the courts this season.

Meanwhile, Pottsville will look to climb the ranks in the loaded Class 3A field.

Blue Mountain graduated its two top players — Leah Walasavage and Natalie Brown. They represented the Eagles in the District 11 Singles Tournament, then teamed up to earn third-place medals in the District 11 Doubles Tournament.

With just three seniors, Blue Mountain will go with a young lineup this season. Sophomore Mary Solga, who played No. 3 singles last season, moves up to No. 1 singles. Sophomore Eva Fisher, who played No. 3 doubles a year ago, takes over at No. 2 singles; and junior Sophia Woll, a No. 5 singles and No. 1 doubles player last season, will play No. 3 singles.

Senior Arpita Mishra, No. 3 doubles a year ago, will play No. 1 doubles and No. 5 singles. Sophomore Emma Piazza is No. 4 singles, while senior Leonita Sylaj is No. 6 singles. They will likely play doubles in the 3-singles-2-doubles format.

The Eagles have good numbers, with 18 players on the roster, including eight sophomores.

Tamaqua returns its No. 1 singles player in Emma Ziajka, a senior co-captain.

“With her strong serve and ground strokes, we are looking forward to seeing her succeed in the top singles position,” second-year Tamaqua head coach Kathy Odorizzi said. “It is our good fortune to have a deep team to pull from. We lost three of our top players to graduation, but everyone else has returned from last year’s team, so experience will be on our side this year.

“We have some tough opponents, but I believe if we keep working hard and developing our skills, we will be a very competitive team,” Odorizzi added. “This is a dedicated and hard-working group of girls. I look forward to seeing our team have fun, grow and improve throughout the season.”

Tamaqua must fill in for the graduation of No. 2 singles player Bradyn Brothers and the No. 1 doubles team of Gabby Eroh and Megan Linkhorst.

Look for seniors Chloe Ryan, Alison Arthurton (co-captain), Skora Ndikwiki and Destiny Steinmetz to fill in many of the spots on the ladder. With 16 players, Tamaqua has solid depth to develop players for the future.

“These girls have really shown their dedication to the program with their commitment to training and conditioning in the offseason,” Odorizzi said. “They have all improved their skills and stamina. I am excited to see what they will accomplish this year.”

Pottsville will count on senior returnees Ava Orlowsky, Maggie Colna and Peyton Eckert to lead the way.  Senior Ashley Moser leads the newcomers, with sophomores Jordan Szeliga, Della Drouncheck, Brynn Cannon, Marlee Templeton and Gianna Fernandez competing for spots in the lineup. With 18 players, the Tide will look for consistent improvement this season.

“With several new players joining the roster, the focus will be on growth, development and gaining valuable match experience,” Pottsville coach Adrian Portland said. “While the team may be young, the energy and commitment to learning are already evident. Our goal is to get a little better every time we step on the court. With hard work and a positive mindset, improvement will come quickly.

“The season will provide opportunities for both returning players and newcomers to step up, refine their skills and build confidence in competition,” Portland added. “Team chemistry will also be a major strength as the players support one another and grow together throughout the year.”

2025 High School Girls’ Tennis Preview Capsules

Blue Mountain

Head coach: Oscar Ney (6th season)

Last year: 10-6, District 11 Class AA Team Tournament semifinalist

Returnees: Arpita Mishra (sr.), Leonita Sylaj (sr.), Jasmine Dill (jr.), Sophia Woll (jr.), Mary Solga (soph.), Emma Piazza (soph.), Emma Beiswinger (soph.) Eva Fisher (soph.), Chloe Miller (soph.), Renate Geisinger (soph.)

Newcomers: Elizabeth Mumbauer (sr.), Brooke Dillman (jr.), Camryn Bowen (jr.), Kyla Darosh (soph.), Jadynne Duncan (soph.), Johanna Hink (fr.), Lauren Hummel (fr.), Emma Bachman (fr.)

Outlook: Hit hard by graduation losses, but Eagles usually find a way t0 reload instead of rebuild. Four returning letterwinners should enable Blue Mountain to be competitive as it climbs back up among the stronger teams in the district.

Pottsville

Head coach: Adrian Portland

Last year: 5-8

Returnees: Ava Orlowsky (sr.), Maggie Colna (sr.), Peyton Eckert (sr.)

Newcomers: Ashley Moser (sr.), Kharima Harris (sr.), Melissa Mercius (sr.), Ava Androshick (jr.), Isabella Fernandes Bento (jr.), Tiana Molina (jr.), Jordan Szeliga (soph.), Della Drouncheck (soph.), Brynn Cannon (soph.), Marlee Templeton (soph.), Gianna Fernandez (soph.), Breelynn Becker (fr.), Violet Hrichak (fr.), Gloria Lisowski (fr.), Breanna Thomas (fr.)

Outlook: After graduating five seniors, the Crimson Tide rebuild their lineup with a healthy roster of 18 players. Seniors will be called upon for leadership as Pottsville looks to get better every time it steps on the court.

Tamaqua

Head coach: Kathy Odorizzi (2nd season)

Last year: 6-8, District 11 Class AA Team Tournament quarterfinalist

Returnees: Emma Ziajka (sr.), Chloe Ryan (sr.), Alison Arthurton (sr.), Skora Ndikwiki (sr.), Destiny Steinmetz (sr.), Jasmine Eberts (sr.), Serenity Sanchez (jr.), Maddy Miller (jr.), Naeun Choi (jr.), Skylar Foster (jr.), Kate Behun (soph.), Lily Hess (soph.),  Tomorrow LoPresti (soph.)

Newcomers: Amanda Thierer (jr.), Adrien Arthurton (jr.), Emily Genery (fr.)

Outlook: Strong roster of 16, including six seniors, give the Blue Raiders a chance to improve their record this season. Finishing above .500 and qualifying for the District 11 Team Tournament are realistic goals.