GIRLS' TENNIS: Hamburg state qualifier Gassert leads area teams
Aug. 19—HAMBURG — Mia Gassert continues hitting tough draws at states.
The Hamburg junior has qualified for the PIAA Class AA Singles Championships twice so far, but she hasn't yet advanced past the round of 16. That's because she's run into the eventual state champion — South Williamsport's Olivia Dorner in 2021 and Wyoming Seminary's Ilana Rosenthal in 2022 — in the first round.
"It's a new year. Start fresh," Gassert said during a break in practice Thursday. "So I feel like I have plenty of room for improvement, and I'm feeling good. I'm excited."
In between basketball and softball — where she's an All-Star center fielder who batted .380 for the 18-5 Hawks — Gassert spent a lot of time on tennis courts all over Berks County. She attends a 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. camp Mondays and Wednesdays at the Hillcrest Racquet Club in Exeter Township, takes a two-hour lesson on Sundays and hits with other high-level players after the camp and on "off" days.
A self-described baseliner with a two-handed backhand, Gassert also has spent a lot of time developing a slice. Adding that shot can help Gassert change the rhythm of a point or play defense while making her opponent hit an extra ball. In addition, a low-bouncing, skidding slice can make life difficult for the many baseliners with Western grips who like to club the same shot over and over from waist height or above.
Gassert, who went 20-3 last season, said her main goals are to try to win the Berks County championship and get further in states than she has before. Conrad Weiser senior Emma Perkins defeated Gassert in the Berks League No. 1 finals last season.
When she arrived on the scene two years ago, Gassert didn't know what to expect at the varsity level. Now, after two appearances in states in tennis and two years helping the softball team play in the postseason, she's an experienced veteran.
"I feel a lot more calm," Gassert said. "Honestly, before a match, everyone still gets nervous, but I know how to calm myself down and I know how it goes. So I won't freak myself out so I can still play relaxed.
"You get used to the pressure," she added. "There's a lot of pressure. ... The more you keep doing it, the more ... it works out."
Like the famous quote from tennis icon Billie Jean King: "Pressure is a privilege." The pressure athletes face in high-level events comes because they earned the right to play for big trophies through their hard work.
In addition to Gassert, the Hawks return senior Emily Schapell (11-6 at No. 3), senior Samantha Gruber (7-5 at No. 4) and senior Julia Bucheit, who played a lot of doubles last season.
Hamburg (10-4) went 6-1 in Berks II play last season and was a Berks League and District 3 Class AA quarterfinalist. The Hawks will need a few newcomers to fill in spots and contribute some wins to return to the postseason as a team.
"We have a pretty solid lineup," Gassert said. "I think we'll do pretty well."
Gassert, 36-9 in her singles career, gets her mind right traveling to matches with a special fruit snack and a play list that includes country, Pop 2K, 1990s and 1980s tunes.
"I like a routine," she said. "When I wake up for school, I have a specific routine every day. Most of the time we're probably in the van, so I will always put my AirPods in. I will sit in the same seat. I'll put my music on, and I will eat my clementine (orange) in the van or I'll eat it right when I get there. I eat it before every match. I don't know why."
Added Hamburg coach Bud Bucheit: "She's a strong player. ... She plays all the time. If you're not a year-round player, you're not going to be to her caliber. ... She's always hitting with better players all the time."
Blue Mountain
The Eagles graduated No. 1 Aspen Weizer (14-4), who advanced to the District 11 Singles quarterfinals and to the District 11 Doubles semifinals with returning junior Natalie Brown.
Brown (8-1 at No. 4), senior MacKenzie Romig (12-5 at No. 2), junior Leah Walasavage (11-5 at No. 3), junior Lizzy Gockel (1-1 at No. 5 singles) and senior doubles player Kasie Troch give the Eagles a solid front line. They'll need some of their five newcomers to contribute to match last season's success.
Jim Thorpe
2022 graduates No. 1 Tara McLean and No. 2 Hailey Trine became the only girls' doubles team from Jim Thorpe to be seeded at the District 11 Tournament and the only doubles team to reach the quarterfinals in school history.
In singles, McLean went 12-5, with the No. 8 seed at districts, and Trine went 9-7.
Senior Ashlynn Miller (10-4 at No. 3) is the most accomplished returning player. The Olympians have a lot of rebuilding to do.
Pottsville
A young team with just two seniors, the Crimson Tide return five players who competed in singles and four in doubles last season. Juniors Kyra Sophy, Avary Major and Adalia LaSelva and sophomore Ava Orlowsky return in singles with a year of experience, as do senior Meadow Eckert and junior Jillian Horvath in doubles.
"Going into 2023, the team is looking to be more competitive and beat last year's record," Pottsville coach Adrian Portland said. "We hope to get many of the newcomers as much experience as possible. The girls are looking forward to the laughs, hard work and (hopefully) victories to come this season. They are very excited to begin play."
Tamaqua
No. 1 singles player Emily Antonio returns, but the Blue Raiders graduated three singles players. Seniors Jenna Fernandez and August Stinson played mostly doubles but will be counted on more in singles this season.
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