With three returning key players and four freshmen starting in the lineup, Clarion looks to a young team to lead in the 2003 season. The Golden Eagles opened the 2003 Fall season September 13^th with a 2-1 record at the Penn State- Behrend Invitational, and lost to California yesterday for a 2-2 current record "The Golden Eagles are youthful and full of energy," Clarion head coach Lori Sabatose said. "I look forward to coaching them because they all listen and respond well."

Clarion posted an overall record of 9-6 in dual meet action last year, including a 7-3 mark in the Spring. The Golden Eagles also were 4-6 in PSAC action including two wins over Edinboro and one win each over West Chester and East Stroudsburg. The Eagles were 5^th at the PSAC’s under fourth year head coach Lori Sabatose. She was the team’s head coach in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 and returned to lead the Eagles last season.

Adjusting to the loss of some key players, Cara Bobish, Brandy Vukich, and Brooke Vukich, Clarion will have to rebuild this season, but Sabatose expects great things from its incoming team. She knows that her team will put forth the extra effort necessary.

"The bottom half of our lineup, which consists of four freshmen, is going to be very competitive and very capable of producing wins," Sabatose said.

The Golden Eagles will rely on some young talent to guide the way this fall. Leading this season at No. 1 singles position will be sophomore Amanda Brothers (Pittsburgh, Moon Twp), who played No. 2 singles last year for Clarion. Brothers finished 5-6 in singles and 9-3 at #3 in doubles play. "She has gotten a lot more competitive this summer," said Sabatose. "We look to her to be our leader in both the singles and doubles lineups."

Ashley Rhodes, a sophomore from Altoona, will take on the position at No. 2 singles. Rhodes is coming back from a competitive spring season where she was 4-4 at #4 and 3-5 at #1 doubles. Overall last season Rhodes was 5-8 in singles and 4-9 in doubles including the Fall season. According to Sabatose, "Amanda and Ashley will have to dig deep to be competitive, but they can do it because they both played all summer to improve their game."

Jessica Lowden (Grove City, Grove City), is taking a huge leap from No. 6 singles in the spring and No. 2 doubles, to No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles this fall. Last year Lowden had a strong overall singles mark of 6-2 and a doubles record of 6-4. "She is very calm on the court, and a patient doubles player. She’s also very competitive at the same time," said Sabatose.

At No. 4 singles will be newcomer Melanie Frank (First Baptist Academy, Dubois) who went 13-0 at No. 2

singles her senior year. Sabatose remarked, "Melanie has really surprised me at how well she’s been playing. She really knows how to win!"

Kristin Jack, Freshman (Burrell, Lower Burrell) will pick up the No. 5 singles position. "Kristin, (a.k.a the Big Guy), hits a steady clean ball and has a great backhand," according to Sabatose.

Clarion will rely on Megan Doyle, a junior who also participates in javelin throw for track and field to step up in the No. 6 singles position. "She has a very good work ethic and is always willing to take the next step," said Sabatose.

Nicole Nadley, Freshman (Hempfield, Greensburg), Mary Barrow, junior transfer (Brockway, Brockway), and Jacky Herbstritt, freshman (Elk County Catholic, St. Marys) will round out the lineup. Because the team is so young, Sabatose says that "communication within the team is very good, and I will work hard to get them stronger and more agile."

Sitting out this season is red-shirted freshman, Kara Frey (Montoursville, Montoursville.) According to Sabatose, "Frey is willing to help the team out even though she is red shirted. Also, she never complains, which is great."

In terms of doubles play, Amanda Brothers and Jessica Lowden will see No. 1. Brothers played No. 3 with Brooke Vukich and had a 6-2 season, while Lowden played No. 2 doubles with Brandy Vukich. "The rest of doubles play is basically wide open," says Sabatose. Rhodes, Frank, and Jack will most likely see the No. 2 sport, with some changing up between the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th doubles positions.

In regards to the new PSAC championships rules, only four teams will be selected to participate in the title chase this Spring. Two of the teams will be from the PSAC-East, and two from the PSAC-West. Sabatose said "I am very disappointed in the new PSAC championship play. Our losses last year were only to Slippery Rock, Indiana, and California, which are all in the western conference. This year we could be the 4^th or 5^th team in our conference, but we won’t get to show that off. However, I’m looking forward to the PSAC voting towards having a flighted individual invitational tournament with all teams being represented."

All in all, Clarion expects to play some very challenging matches, and according to Sabatose "everyone is excited to play, and can’t wait to get their first win under their belts."

CLARION NOTES: Coach Sabatose played tennis at Clarion from 1988-91 and posted a carer singles slate of 51-7 and won the PSAC individual title at #6 singles in 1989 and #5 singles in 1990. She was a #2 doubles PSAC winner in 1989 and 1990 and helped Clarion to PSAC team titles in 1988, 89 and 1990… Clarion has a schedule that includes 6 dual meets in the Fall and then resumes with dual meets in the Spring… The record against PSAC opponents the entire year is factored in when the PSAC selects in top 4 teams to play in the PSAC Championship bracket this Spring.

By: Michelle McElroy.