While most of the spring sports teams are just starting to play their games, Penn Manor's tennis team is well on its way. The Comets earned a 4-3 win in their scrimmage against Lancaster Catholic, defeated Lampeter-Strasburg 6-1, and shut out Garden Spot 7-0 in preparation for their Section One opener.

"We are strong from No. 1 all the way down," said head coach Amanda Pryzbylkowski who previously coached the boys at Lancaster Catholic and also coaches the girls' team. "I feel we really have a shot at going to States in the team competition and also in singles and doubles. We have most of our varsity lineup returning and add three senior soccer athletes (Paul Karpouzis, Nico Mann, Seb Bookmiller), who are solid tennis players, and round out our lineup."

Curtis Rabatin, who's sophomore sister Catherine came in third in the state and was undefeated in L-L singles play, will hold down the No. 1 slot. He is a returning Section One all-star.

"Curtis wants to match her undefeated record in singles and place higher in states in either doubles or singles than his sister did," said Pryzbylkowski. "And so far, he is."

Sophomore Stefo Billis is No. 2, senior Maxwell Davis will play No. 3 and sophomore PJ Fahey is fourth.

"Stefo and PJ both play year-round at RCW Athletic Club," noted Pryzbylkowski, "and they have continued to play and improve in the off-season. They are strong additions to the team.

"Curtis, who plans on attending the Air Force Academy, and Maxwell, who signed to play D3 men's tennis at Macalester College in Minnesota, also play year-round."

Tom Hockenberry and Paul Karpouzis take over the No. 5 and 6 slots.

The Comets battled the Pioneers on March 17 and while a 6-1 win seemed easy, L-S made the Comets work for every point. The only shutout was an 8-0 No. 1 doubles result by Rabatin and Billis over Weston Weaver and Rowen Krantz.

A shutout over Garden Spot on March 19 went a bit quicker as the Comets gave up just two games.

"Garden Spot has a fairly new team," said Pryzbylkowski. "And the wind was extremely strong. We had to play smart. Instead of playing our more aggressive style, we focused on getting the ball in and letting our opponents make the mistakes."

Pryzbylkowski juggled the doubles lineup in this one, moving Davis with Rabatin, Billis with Fahey and Hockenberry with Karpouzis.

"Personalities and playing styles need to mesh so it doesn't always mean you put your top two players at No. 1 doubles," explained Pryzbylkowski.

VOLLEYBALL

In 2019, Penn Manor's volleyball team went 8-6 under long-time head coach Chris Telesco (17 years), who has since retired. Taking the reins is another long-timer, Dustin Hornberger, who has been involved with Comet volleyball since 2010.

"I played for three years at Penn Manor under Chris," said Hornberger, who was the starting libero his senior year. "After I graduated, Chris asked me to stay on as his JV coach. I was in that role until this year."

Hornberger attended Millersville University and played club volleyball there while also coaching at Penn Manor.

"Chris has been instrumental in my growth as a player and a coach," Hornberger said. "I am grateful I had the opportunity to learn from him. He had built an incredible program and culture here at Penn Manor."

Under Telesco the Comets earned three Section One titles, three L-L League crowns, a pair of district championships and a trip to the state finals.

Going back to 2019, the Comets have one returning player in Riley Walton.

"Riley is versatile and will provide the senior experience that we need on the court," said Hornberger. "We have a mix of guys, from sophomores to seniors, who are eager to prove that they can compete even after missing the 2020 season.

"This year we add a key piece to our defense in junior Max Bushong, a phenomenal defender. It is hard to find anyone who works harder at honing their skills than Max," he added. "We also add sophomore Wyatt Rohrer who has become quite the setter in a short amount of time. We are excited to watch him grow and take control of the offense.

"We have a lot of pieces and just need to put them together," Hornberger stated. "We have aggressive servers and a scrappy defense, and we are taking it one day at a time. The boys are working to get better every day."

GIRLS' LACROSSE

Returning to the sidelines for the Lady Comets this season is first-year head coach Anneli Starry who played four years at both Penn Manor and Lock Haven University and two years at Lanco Elite.

Starry and her assistant coach, Kelsea Hershey, also coach at Lanco Elite and are looking to "build the program back to its full potential," said Starry. "We have a group of athletic and ambitious players that have a lot of potential. The 2021 season is the season of growing our lacrosse IQ."

The Comets return Kendall Ulmer, Evelyn Weaver, Katie Mackey, Paige Marie Flinchbaugh, Maddie Webber and Joy Perkins. Key newcomers include Keegan Dings, Maeve Haines, Malayna Kahl, Mia Jones and Mackenzie Nafziger.

BASKETBALL ALL-STARS

The winter sports all-stars were recently voted on by the L-L League coaches and five Comets received recognition. Lily Sugra, averaging 10.2 ppg, and Morgan Miller, 10.5 ppg, were both Section One second team all-stars. Sydney Shepos was voted to the All-Defensive team, Riley Peart was an All-Academic team award winner and Brayde Erb, with an 11.8 ppg average, was also a second team all-star.