Returnees Susan Arp, left, and Sammy Rosenstein represented Abington Heights at District 2 Girls Tennis Media Day.
Tom Robinson | For Abington Journal
KINGSTON — Abington Heights returns six starters from the eight players it used to fill the seven lineup spots a year ago.
With that much experience returning, the Comets are looking for more than simply extending their streak of six straight District 2 Class 3A girls tennis titles.
“We’re pretty confident going into districts,” coach Kelly Arp said during an interview at the second District 2 Girls Tennis Media Day.
The reason for that confidence showed in the team’s six August matches. Abington Heights is undefeated with four shutouts and a pair of 4-1 victories.
“Our big goal, the hurdle we haven’t gotten over the last several years, is winning the first round of states,” Arp said. “So, we’re hoping to get through districts and get a win in states.
“That’s where we’ve fallen the last few years. Last year, we were really close.”
Titles have become routine for the Comets.
Susan Arp, the coach’s daughter, won a district doubles title as a freshman when she had spent the regular season as the No. 3 singles player. The last two years she has been the No. 1 singles player on a championship team and has won the Class 3A district singles title.
Arp prepared for her senior season with offseason tournament play, including the 18U title at the Appel Tournament, a USTA Middle States event in Lancaster.
Sona Hanumali and Mary Booth are back after winning the district doubles title.
Hanumali is back at No. 2 singles after splitting last season between the second and third spots.
Amishi Amit moves up from doubles to singles.
Sophomore Sammy Rosenstein, a returning doubles player, is at first doubles with Booth and has also filled in a singles spot when needed.
Bernie Mullen, another returning doubles player, has a new partner in sophomore Jenna Follansbee.
