Emmaus girls tennis coach Robert Dragotta, who is entering his third season as the program’s leader, is looking for his team to improve on last year’s 5-6 record.

Dragotta has reason to think it will, despite losing number two and three singles players Misa Hollinger and Mia Columbus to graduation.

The 2021 Hornets are, if nothing else, very experienced. Whether they can play with, and ultimately defeat, the top EPC programs such as Stroudsburg, Bethlehem Catholic, Central Catholic and Parkland remains to be seen. Dragotta should have the girls ready to play hard.

For example, last year Emmaus was swept 5-0 by Parkland in District 11 Class 3A team competition. But some of those matches were competitive and even in defeat the Hornets made their rivals earn the victory.

Returning to the Hornets’ nest is talented senior Jocelyn Chow, who this season will again reprise her role as the team’s number one singles player. During her Emmaus tennis career she has acquired the nickname “Cruise Control” for her consistently sterling play. Dragotta has assigned senior Shelby Carter to handle the number two slot, while still another senior, Riley Stuckey, will start the season in the number three position.

The second doubles team features the duo of senior Payton McGlory and junior Liza Duerholz, while the third doubles combines senior Teya Gougoustamos and senior Indira Tatikola. The fourth doubles contingent has senior Alyssa Mugavero and junior Kate Smith playing together. The alternate first doubles team is junior Anna Lyons and junior Maddie Everett.

Other players on the varsity include Alexa Makoul, Sydney Gosselin, Karishma Beraj, Reshma Beraj, Ava Grace Saab, and Meredith Howell.