Western Wayne’s Terry Lovelace is an incurable optimist.
The affable, always smiling boys tennis coach recently took over the girls varsity squad after Dante Terenzio stepped aside.
Western Wayne turned in a stellar performance last fall in the Lackawanna League wars. The Lady ‘Cats rolled to a 7-2-0 record, good for third in the Class AA standings behind only Valley View (9-0) and Scranton Prep (8-1).
Sadly for local fans, just two players return from that team.
“This will definitely be a rebuilding year for us,” Coach Lovelace told TWI Sports. “We going to strive for improvement on a game-by-game basis. We may not win any matches this year, but we’re going to have fun and we’re going to get better.”
To date, Western Wayne hasn’t won a match in its rugged league...a fact that doesn’t faze Coach Lovelace in the least.
“This is a great group of girls and there are a couple of pretty nice players here,” he said. “We’ve only been together for two weeks, but I already see improvement.”
On the Court
Brianna Vinton and Victoria Lanza are the lone holdovers from last year’s Lady ‘Cat squad.
Vinton is a versatile veteran who can play any role. However, she prefers the doubles scene Brianna and fellow senior Sarah Lutat make a formidable duo at the #1 doubles position.
“They are a very consistent players,” said Coach Lovelace. “They can get just about any ball back.”
Lanza is still just a sophomore, but has already laid claim to the #2 singles slot. Christina Piccolo, another sophomore, holds down the #1 singles spot.
“She’s a first year tennis player, but there’s definitely a lot of promise there,” said Coach Lovelace.
Junior Kim Finkle and sophomore Lizzie Caruth round out Western Wayne’s varsity roster. This hard-working duo currently comprises the #2 doubles team.
