This weekend, the Penn State Altoona men's and women's tennis teams will start their 23rd seasons as NCAA Division III programs.

The men's team was limited to just seven matches in spring 2020, before its season was cut short due to the spread of COVID-19. The women's team was unaffected by the pandemic, playing its full slate of 16 matches during fall 2019.

Each team is poised to rely heavily upon its returning players during the 2021 season, which is currently limited to Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference-only competition. Head coach Megan Stern returns for her third season at the helm of the men's team and her second season leading the women's team.

Men's Tennis

The Lions posted a 1-6 overall record last season, which it split between the fall 2019 and spring 2020 months. The team held a 1-3 record against AMCC opponents through the start of March, but the squad's two remaining conference matches and six other non-conference matches were wiped out when athletic competition was suspended due to COVID-19.

This spring, Penn State Altoona men's tennis is scheduled to compete in four AMCC matches, hosting Medaille College (Saturday, March 6 at 12:30 p.m.) while facing Mount Aloysius College (Sunday, March 7 at 2:00 p.m.), Pitt-Greensburg (Sunday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m.), and Penn State Behrend (Saturday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m.) on the road.

The Lions' roster is comprised of six returners from last year: senior Jimmy Gillespie (Glen Mills, PA/Garnet Valley), juniors Kirk Eichenlaub (Hollidaysburg, PA/Hollidaysburg) and Jaydan Jacobs (St. Thomas, Virgin Islands/Charlotte Amalie), and sophomores Micah Brinker (Lock Haven, PA/PA Cyber), Dominic Lisanti (Mechanicsville, MD/Chopticon), and Ben Maus (Collegeville, PA/Perkiomen Valley).

In singles play last season, Jacobs led the team in wins with three, while Maus had two and Brinker and Gillespie had one each. In doubles, Brinker, Gillespie, Jacobs, and Lisanti had two wins apiece, and Eichenlaub and Maus finished with one each.

"Jimmy will lead us in our doubles game by securing a win at No. 1 doubles. He's one of our best doubles players on the team, and we depend on his great net skills to get a win," said Stern. "Jaydan has a powerful forehand and a crushing serve. We'll look to him to get some easy points and games with his serve."

Stern also feels good about the rest of the squad's lineup.

"Kirk, Micah, and Dominic will add some depth at the four, five, and six singles spots. They've been working on their consistency in practice and have made great strides," she stated. "Ben has been working on his game outside of the season and stands to play great at the No. 2 spot."

In a limited schedule that currently consists of conference-only play, Stern knows that the importance of each match is heightened, and she hopes that her players will do whatever is necessary to pull out crucial wins.

"My hope for the men's team is for each player to use their own individualized strengths to help the team win," she said. "Each player has been working on improving their form and playing smarter tennis. I'm excited to see how the season unfolds and looking forward to seeing growth in all players on the team."

Women's Tennis

In fall 2019, the Lady Lions compiled a 7-9 overall record, including going 4-4 in the AMCC. The team earned a berth into the AMCC Tournament, where it pulled out a 5-4 first round victory over Mount Aloysius before suffering a 5-3 loss to Medaille in the semifinal round.

This spring, Penn State Altoona has a five-match schedule against AMCC opponents lined up. The Lady Lions will host Medaille on Saturday, March 6 at 12:30 p.m., with their four remaining matches on the road against Mount Aloysius (Sunday, March 7 at 2:00 p.m.), Pitt-Greensburg (Sunday, March 21 at 1:00 p.m.), La Roche University (Sunday, March 28 at 1:00 p.m.), and Penn State Behrend (Saturday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m.).

Like the men's squad, the Penn State Altoona women's tennis team will rely heavily on its returning players this year.

Senior Victoria Acker (Cresson, PA/Penn Cambria) leads the way for the Lady Lions, coming off of a 2019 season in which she tied for the team-high in doubles wins (11), a mark that matched the women's tennis program's single season record for doubles victories. Acker received second team All-AMCC honors in No. 2 doubles, and she chipped in four wins in singles play.

"Tori will provide leadership for the newcomers on the team," Stern said. "After a successful 2019-20 season – especially in doubles play – she will look to again lead the Lady Lions to a successful season."

The team also welcomes back three other significant players who return for their second seasons with the program: Jessica Stevens (Altoona, PA/Altoona), Katie Kruza (York, PA/Central York), and Alivia Serenita (Lebanon, PA/Cedar Crest).

Stevens returns to the roster after taking the 2019-20 season off. As a freshman in 2018, she put together a stellar season in which she was voted the AMCC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year while taking first team All-Conference honors in No. 1 singles. In singles matches that season, Stevens posted a perfect 13-0 record in the No. 1 slot, setting a new Penn State Altoona single season record for singles wins. She also went 9-4 in No. 1 doubles.

Kruza posted a 5-3 overall record in singles matches last season, and she 4-5 in doubles play. Serenita was 4-2 in singles and 1-2 in doubles.

"Jessica is returning after taking a year off. She's been working hard and will provide leadership to the new players, and she'll be a tough competitor in the No. 1 singles and doubles slots," said Stern. "Katie and Alivia will look to provide consistency in the middle of the lineup."

The program also welcomes a trio of first-year players: Jenna Bartlett (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis), Elani Etter (Franklin, TN), and Stephanie Swain (Yadkin County, NC/Forbush).

With a talented core of experienced players expected to hold down spots in the lineup, the Lady Lions are poised for what could be a very strong season.

"My hope for the women's team this year is to play consistent and smart tennis," said Stern. "If we do that, we should have a successful season."