Eagles Primed for Success in New Season

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Entering into his first full season at the helm of the Juniata men's and women's tennis programs, head coach Jason Cohen looks to reshape their image in the 2013 spring season.

"I can see a lot of changes," said Cohen who is the only third coach since the program's re-establishment in 2001.  He looks to seamlessly blend his veterans with his team's youth saying that "both of the teams worked very hard in the offseason and I've seen drastic improvements from each."

In his first season, Cohen helped lead the Juniata men to their second highest win total since 2006 and second most conference wins in the past decade.  The Juniata women also improved their record from 2010-11 under Cohen.  The Eagles open their 2013 spring season on the road Sunday, March 10 down in Hilton Head, S.C.  The men take on Gordon and the women will face Richard Stockton.

Women's Tennis
The women will rely on the leadership and experience of junior captain Megan Phillips (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson).  "I expect a lot from Megan and she's already provided a lot," said Cohen.  "This year she's really taken on a leadership role." 

Phillips is coming off a sophomore season where she earned second-team All-Landmark doubles honors after going 6-5.  She will be aided this season by a core of sophomores poised to improve on their first year at Juniata.

Charlotte Caddick (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley), Cara Stough (Friendsville, Md./Northern Garrett), and Heather Waring (San Antonio, Texas/John Jay) comprise a class that will be essential in helping the Eagles make the playoffs.

The women began the 2012-13 season with two impressive wins in the fall over Lancaster Bible College (9-0) and Frostburg State (7-2).

Men's Tennis
The men, who were ranked fourth in the Landmark Conference preseason poll, will be led by their two juniors, Elliott Perow (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon) and Justin Wisniewski (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown). 

Perow and Wisniewski, in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions respectively, each took home victories in singles competition in their first match of the season.  In doubles, Perow took home another victory in the No. 1 position as he and freshman Logan Moore (Chadds Ford, Pa./Unionville) won 8-1, pacing the team in a 9-0 sweep of Lancaster Bible College.  The team also took home a 7-2 win over Frostburg State.

Beginning their third season, Perow and Wisniewski will look to further their solid careers at Juniata.  Perow posted an overall record of 9-10 in the No. 2 singles position and went 7-5 in doubles matches when paired with senior Tucker Good (Gettysburg, Pa./Gettysburg Area), forming Juniata's No. 1 doubles tandem.  Wisniewski posted records of 8-10 in singles competition and 12-6 in doubles, going 5-2 in Landmark Conference matches when paired with senior Brice Morey (Enola, Pa./East Pennsboro).

2012-13 Schedule
The Eagles will face a variety of tests in a league that is deep in 2013.  Their ability to win on the road will dictate whether or not they can succeed in reaching the postseason.  Between the two teams, Juniata will only host six matches at home.

The men's team will face its biggest test on the road at Drew University on March 23 when they go up against both the seventh best doubles team nationally and the second highest ranked doubles team in the region.

The women's toughest challenge will come against Salisbury University on March 30.  The Sea Gulls are ranked 16^th in the Atlantic South region.

Despite some tough opposition, Cohen remains determined that the Eagles will have strong years in 2013.  "For both teams it's pretty simple," he stated.  "Our main goal is to make the playoffs."

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