Phil Fancher follows through on a serve versus Clarence Thursday. Photo / James Goller
The Orchard Park boys tennis team improved to an undefeated 10-0 mark with a victory over Clarence, Thursday, May 2. The Quakers have a rematch scheduled at Clarence today.
Here are photos from the win over Clarence. Photos
Caroline Bristol
Caroline Bristol, a junior on the Mercyhurst University women’s tennis team, has earned all-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference honors as both a singles and doubles player.
A 2010 Orchard Park High School graduate, Bristol played at #1 singles and posted a 22-3 overall record which included a 15-1 mark in dual matches. She went 4-1 against PSAC competition.
In her three seasons at Mercyhurst, Bristol has posted a career record of 47-11 at singles and 51-13 in doubles.
“I am excited and happy because I feel as though my hard work has paid off,” said Bristol. “My team and I have had such a successful year and this honor just tops it all off.”
Andrea Ernst won the 50 free (24.57) at the ECIC Swimming Championships. File photo / James Goller
Aside from the Orchard Park football team advancing to the Section VI Class AA championship with a 33-16 win at Lockport, there were a few other significant accomplishments by OP athletes this past weekend.
Shayleen Brennan and Nikki Legler captured the ECIC doubles championship in tennis.
As previously reported, sophomore Morgan Wellenzohn won the ECIC diving championships.
Freshman Andrea Ernst (24.57) captured first place in the 50 free event with a time of 24.57 seconds at the ECIC Championships.
Four Quakers finished among the top 50 runners in the boys ECIC Cross Country Championships at Alden High School on Saturday. Sophomore Caleb Johnson finished 28th (5:33.4). Sophomore Jacob Heath finished 39th (5:38.1). Senior Jake Eneix finished 47th (5:40.3). Freshman Matthew Mercer finished 49th (5:41.2).
Two female runners finished inside the top 50. Senior Sharon Smith (6:46.0) finished 48th while junior Emilee Welton finished 49th (6:47.5).
Karli Hollins
Karli Hollins
OPHS, Class of 2013
Tennis
Dream job: Forensic psychologist
I want to visit: Italy
This actress would play me in a movie: Amanda Bynes
I want to be on the cover of: Sports Illustrated
Favorite outfit: Yoga pants and hoodie
Favorite movie: Date Night
Favorite meal: Pasta with spinach
Favorite movie character: Annie from Bridesmaids
I want to have dinner with: Bradley Cooper
Favorite school subject: Social Studies
Best advice received: “Be determined, be disciplined, but most of all, be passionate in whatever you do.” -Tom Lapenna
I can’t live without: Country music
Life-changing moment: Meeting my coach Tom Lapenna
Senior Karli Hollins
In its bid to win its ninth consecutive ECIC I title, the Orchard Park girls tennis team captured its third win of the season and second straight sweep versus a divisional opponent at West Seneca West on Wednesday.
Senior Karli Hollins and her sister Haley, a sophomore, defeated their counterparts to improve their career singles marks in league play to 22-0. Sophomore Shayleen Brennan improved to 3-0 as third singles this season.
“It means a lot, especially for the new girls,” Haley said of winning another division title and keeping the tradition of building a strong team. “If we keep on our streak and continue to improve than more girls will come on the team and want to build a part of that.”
Freshman Grace Ruh and partner Taylor Sayoc, an eighth-grader, won first doubles while senior Emily Wiencek and junior Emily Gartenman won second doubles to give the Lady Quakers the sweep.
Despite some struggles in a non-league win versus East Aurora, the girls are on track to capture another league championship.
“We had a couple of tough matches versus East Aurora, but other than that things are really good,” said Brennan. “We’re coming together well and getting along.”
Sandy Trampert, who is in her 12th season of coaching the girls tennis team, and the Lady Quakers will travel to Clarence on Friday, Sept 21, and return to Orchard Park for a home match versus Williamsville North on Monday.
View the entire gallery from OP-WSW
Orchard Park girls tennis coach Sandy Trampert has always stressed the importance of team bonding and camaraderie. She has extended that focus to include re-connecting with the alumni of her tennis program.
Former players – including Caroline Bristol (’10), Alison Tepas (’10), and Alyssa Trampert (’05) – gathered for a small party and some tennis recently.
“This team has attracted the best girls in the world (and) supportive parents,” said Trampert, who played exhibition matches for the boys team at Orchard Park in 1972 when a girls team did not exist. “They’re dedicated and have great attitudes, and take life in perspective. It’s about team and relationships. They remember that. I remember that. And we all make efforts to try to get together.”
From left: Sandy Trampert, Alison Tepas, Alyssa Trampert, Caroline Bristol
Bristol, who plays at Mercyhurst College, appreciates and recognizes the importance of Trampert’s efforts to keep players connected.
“It means a lot,” said Bristol. “The tennis team is always so close and I have made great friends from it. Mrs. Trampert always does a great job at bonding everyone and it is so nice that she is continuing to do that after we graduate.”
Trampert says that it’s the lengthy relationships she has built with her players and the quality of those players that makes her job as a coach a joy.
“They’re great girls,” said Trampert. “For varsity tennis, you can start to come out as seventh graders, so you can start to build that rapport and see them mature and grow, and see them become better people.”
Trampert’s nurturing has helped her players achieve success on the court as well. In eleven seasons of coaching the girls tennis program, Trampert has led the Lady Quakers to eight ECIC Division I titles.
“It is definitely very important, especially since tennis is a bit of an individual sport,” Bristol, a five-time state qualifier at Orchard Park, said of building strong relationships. “Having a bond throughout the team helps everyone come together as individuals and creates team success.”
Orchard Park senior Sawyer Dina and junior August Bruno earned a spot in the New York State boys tennis championships this weekend in Flushing, NY. The doubles team finished second at sectionals to earn a spot in the tournament.
Here are a few shots of the guys during a photo shoot on Monday:
Stuck On You – Sawyer and August looking like Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear
Stuck On You
Bruno and Dina
Tebowing
Shotgun Bang
And the classic Army shot!
Army shot
August Bruno
August Bruno
OPHS Class of 2013
Tennis
Dream job: ESPN Analyst, Pro Tennis Player
Sport I wish I could play: Lacrosse
Favorite teacher: Mr. Bindig
Hidden talent: I’m a great cook
Favorite meal: Anything my Mom makes
Favorite OP hangout: Panera
I admire: My father
Favorite musician: Five For Fighting
Favorite OP athlete: Michael Bruno
I want to visit: Australia
Monday was one of my favorite types of days. I took a vacation day from my 9 to 5 job. After waking at 7 a.m., I took a nice morning nap on the couch with the dog and woke up again and caught My Cousin Vinny on HBO. (What is a yute?). When I finally got up and around, I ventured off to Panera for a quick lunch before hitting the Orchard Park High School fields to cover a day of events.
I started off by getting a few quick photos of the track team and had a nice chat with Coaches Justin Abel and Greg Lardo. I shot a decent photo of Shannon Smith jumping the hurdles, which is one of my favorite photos to capture. A good hurdling shot provides a nice balance of athleticism and emotion much like when a runner emerging from the water barrier in the steeplechase.
Coincidentally, Coach Lardo asked about shooting volleyball (he is the varsity girls volleyball coach), which I find is one of the more difficult sports to shoot. There are many obstacles, including the net, players crossing paths on the court and a fast-moving ball. Capturing a shot of a setter is easy, especially if you go up into the stands and shoot down, but trying to capture a big defensive dig is difficult. Between the speed of the ball and having no idea where to ball will be hit, sometimes the best option is to simply fixate on a particular defender and hope you get lucky.
Getting back to Monday, I then headed softball practice where I needed a shot of a few players for this week’s spring preview issue of the Orchard Park Press. I previously interviewed Kristen Klemmer and got some additional thoughts from Taylor Jezuit, who is one of the best interviews I’ve had. She gathers her thoughts quickly, and is very candid and professional with her remarks. I tried getting some more thoughts from Arielle Alessi, which is where the fun began. I already warned Arielle that her remarks would make this website. When I asked her the same questions as Taylor, she wanted to read what Taylor said and respond off of that. The three of us shared a laugh as I told her that that is not how it works. So, of course, after I turned my recorder off, Arielle gives me a great quote about pitcher Carly Loffredo. When I told her how impressed I was with the comment, she responded: “I can say some pretty intelligent things. Don’t underestimate the cheerleader.” Ah, Arielle…always entertaining.
Speaking of Arielle, here’s a fun fact: Five starters on the softball team have double initials: Arielle Alessi, Jess Jozwiak, Shaye Swiatek, Sam Sarles and Kristen Klemmer.
Moving on…
I went to the tennis courts to get a couple shots of Sawyer Dina and August Bruno before heading over to cover the baseball game where I saw some big changes to Barrows Field. A maroon mesh was added to the backstop behind home plate, which serves as a fielder’s eye so infielders and see the ball off the bat better. Dugouts have also been added. They already look magnificent, and once the project is complete, they’ll look even better.
From there, I covered the first half of the boys lacrosse game where I had the opportunity to shoot alongside Chloe Wasteneys, a senior at Orchard Park, who has taken a strong interest in photography. I love sharing thoughts and ideas with other photogs.
Then I got headshots of the girls lacrosse players for future use on this site. The girls played after the boys game and captured a 7-6 win. Regrettably, I left early. My hands were cold and I had to get home and write my spring previews for baseball, softball, girls lacrosse and boys lacrosse for submission to this Friday’s issue of the Orchard Park Press.
Caroline Bristol, a 2010 Orchard Park High School graduate and sophomore on the Mercyhurst College women’s tennis team, tweeted the following on Friday evening: “3 more hours of this 15 hour trip home to erie”
Caroline Bristol
The team was on its way back from a road trip to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. The Lakers won all three matches on the trip by defeating Concord University of West Virginia twice (9-0 on Feb. 25 and 9-0 on Feb. 26) and York University of Hilton Head (9-0 on Feb. 29).
Bristol agreed to answer a few questions while the team bus was driving through West Virginia on the way back to Erie, Pa.
OrchardParkSports.com: What does the team do to pass the time?
Caroline Bristol: Everyone does their own thing like sleep and listen to music. We also watch movies and talk with each other.
OPS: What’s the worst part of a 15-hour road trip?
CB: The worst part is counting down the hours we have left. For example, after eight hours, someone said, “We have seven hours left!” Another bad part is having to use the bathroom or being hungry, but you can’t do anything about it unless coach lets us stop.
OPS: What’s your favorite thing to do on the bus?
CB: My favorite thing to do on the bus is definitely sleep, especially if I find a comfortable position.
OPS: If you could stop at any fast food restaurant during the trip, which would you choose?
CB: Subway. And that is luckily where we stopped for lunch.
OPS: No Waffle House visits?
CB: Haha. No, unfortunately.
OPS: So what’s the last song you listened to on your ipod?
CB: I just finished listening to Obsession by Frankie J and Baby Bash.
OPS: Do you sit by yourself or next to someone?
CB: Everyone is sitting in their own two seats. My closest teammate on the bus is my good friend Courtney Thompson.
OPS: Cool kids sit at the back of the bus and nerds up front. Where are you sitting?
CB: I am sitting about 3/4 of the way back. Haha. I don’t know if that means I’m cool or nerdy.
OPS: Do you study on the bus?
CB: No way. We are in between terms so there is no work to be done.
Two hours after Bristol’s tweet that prompted this interview, she tweeted this: “im going to pee my pants on this bus. one hour left!”
On Thursday, August 25, I hit a couple practices to check out the OPHS volleyball teams and get some info for previews this coming week.
I was hoping to see the girls tennis team, but the courts still looked damp from rain and I didn’t catch them. I’m really looking forward to another strong season from the team.
In the gym, the girls volleyball team was practicing. They bring a lot of girls back from last season who all seem to be playing with more confidence. They are still very young with just one senior returning – Alyssa Dueringer.
I briefly chatted with Maryellen Devic. She rolled her ankle during the first practice, but should be okay. She’ll be a huge part of the team.
Coach Greg Lardo and I discussed possible rotations for his team. He’s got a few ideas up his sleeve to maximize the use of his strongest hitters. I am definitely looking forward to seeing them in action. The girls will be a part of multi-team scrimmages at the Buffalo Niagara Court Center on Wednesday starting at 5:30 p.m.
Lardo continues to wear a Yankees hat. Boo!
The girls finished up and in walked Coaches Walt Stefani and Matt Lexner of the boys teams. The two have co-coached varsity for several years and will split the duties of coaching the JV team this season.
Walt brought coffee for himself and Lex, who came to the gym with his own. Lardo got a free coffee.
After interviewing Lardo, I met the new girls swimming coach, Linda Sherry. Apparently, there are a lot of girls trying out to swim this season.
Madi Sherry, Linda’s daughter and 2009 OPHS graduate, was at practice. She’s recovering from knee surgery before she returns to Ithaca College. She holds the OPHS record for the 100 breast stroke, but the record board still reads: “M. Sherri”. A lack of respect there.
Madi Sherry, not Sherri
After checking out the boys volleyball team for a bit, I came to realize that volleyball is one of the toughest sports to shoot. It’s difficult to anticipate where the ball is going. Sometimes it’s better to focus on one player and hope the ball gets hit to him/her. The best go-to shot is to get a photo of a setter from the stands (due to the higher angle) or get an outside or middle hitter swinging.
Tyler Eagleton is working some nice flow.
Be sure to check out my previews of both volleyball teams this Friday in the Orchard Park Press.
Sam Korach
Orchard Park High School, Senior – Tennis
Miami University (OH)
Sam Korach
Dream job: FBI Agent – Financial Division
Pets: None, but would like a dog
Favorite school subject:
Accounting/AP Economics
Favorite OP hangout:
Duff’s with the Drama duffs crew
I am currently:
Distracted from writing a final exam paper
Favorite meal: A fresh roasted-pig off the spit
Fondest sports memory:
Beating Amherst in Sectionals
I want to visit: Serbia
Favorite OP athlete:
Sawyer Dina (Ryan Lindquist, Connor Vogan, and August Bruno are close seconds)
This actor would play me in a movie:
Steve Carrell
Jillian Miller
Girls lacrosse – The team’s semifinal contest versus Frontier continues this afternoon at 3 pm at OPHS. Frontier leads, 10-2, with 20:01 left in the game.
Boys lacrosse – The Quakers host Williamsville North tonight at 6 pm. A ceremony honoring the seniors will precede the contest.
Softball – The Lady Quakers travel to Kenmore West Friday afternoon for a game scheduled at 4:45.
Update: Game has been moved to OP
Track & Field – ECICs on Saturday at Pioneer. 10am start.
Baseball – The Quakers host Lockport in the semifinals of the sectional tournament at Noon on Saturday.
Caroline Bristol
Caroline Bristol
Mercyhurst College, freshman – Tennis
Orchard Park High School, Class of 2010
Dream job: Own and operate a tennis complex
Favorite meal: Chicken caesar salad
Favorite OP hangout: Any place with tennis courts
What I am doing right now: Sitting in my dorm with friends
Favorite musician: Eminem
Favorite movie character: Billy Madison
If I owned a thoroughbred, I would name it: Luis
Favorite OP athlete: Meghan Manley
The last thing I read was: Principles of Microeconomics
I can hold a handstand for: 5 seconds
David Mellerski
David Mellerski
Senior, Orchard Park High School
Volleyball, Tennis
Favorite Orchard Park athlete: Matt McCormick
Favorite school subject: Accounting
Favorite sports team:
Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Bandits
Favorite meal:
Chicken finger subs, chocolate Frosty
Dream job: Ice cream creator
Favorite TV show: Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Hobbies other than sports:
Play the piano, fish, hang out with friends
Favorite number and why: 67 – In a 50/50 drawing at a volleyball tourney, I won 67 dollars
Favorite quote: “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can finance a very extensive search.”
Senior Peter Brady celebrates the Quakers' win in boys volleyball over Clarence Monday night.
Clarence has made a case to be Orchard Park’s biggest rival in recent years.
The rivalry was put to the test over the past several days when the Quakers and Red Devils went head-to-head in six different events from Friday night through Tuesday.
Orchard Park came out on top winning four of the six events including victories in girls and boys volleyball, girls soccer and girls tennis.
Orchard Park lost in boys soccer and football.
Sophomore Sawyer Dina and senior Bryan Matthews won the ECIC doubles tennis championship and placed third at sectionals to advance to the state tournament on June 4 at Flushing Meadows, where they won one match and lost twice.
South Towns Junior Team Tennis is having a car wash this Saturday, May 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m in the parking lot of St. Mark’s in Orchard Park.
Several members of the team are from Orchard Park and would appreciate your support in helping them raise money for their trip to Syracuse for the USTA Eastern Sectionals on June 12th and 13th.
You can pre-order a ticket for only $3.00 here.
Senior Mike Hammond
A 4-1 win over Frontier on Wednesday kept the Orchard Park boys’ tennis team’s undefeated record against ECIC opponents intact with a mark of 9 wins and zero losses.
Led by five highly-talented seniors including Caroline Bristol, Alison Tepas, Katie Pasier, Ali Phillips and Elizabeth Brydges, the Orchard Park girls tennis team finished the season with an undefeated 17-0 record and won the ECIC I division for the sixth time in Coach Sandy Trampert’s seven years with the program.
Katie Pasier, Alison Tepas and Caroline Bristol all earned spots in this fall’s state tennis championships.
Phillips and Brydges dominated first doubles. It was their second season playing as a doubles team and they went undefeated in the two-year span. This fall, they earned a spot in the sectional championships as the fifth-seeded team in ECICs.
The sisterly pairing of Karli and Haley Hollins played as the second doubles team. Karli is a ninth grader who played exhibition last year and now occupies a varsity position. Haley is a 7th grader who was new to the team.
“They are an outstanding combination as they feel very comfortable with each other,” said Trampert. They were also undefeated this year.
This season’s team sent three players to state championships in Manlius, N.Y. on November 7-9. Bristol earned a spot in the singles competition, while Tepas and Pasier played doubles.
“I have been coaching the team for seven extremely enjoyable years,” said Trampert. “This is the first time, since I have been coaching, that we have had a singles player ranked number two in ECICs and Section Six, and a doubles team ranked number one in ECICs and Section Six.”
Tepas and Pasier both finished the regular season 16-1 in singles play, but joined to create a formidable doubles team to win the ECIC and sectional championships, which earned them each their first trip to the state championships.
“States was amazing,” said Tepas. “Just being able to go was an accomplishment. The competition was fierce, but it was fun playing at a high level.”
Tepas and Pasier won their first round match, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, at the state championships, but fell in the second round 4-6, 3-6.
“It was so exciting to go to states, especially with Alison as my doubles partner,” said Pasier. “Alison and I have been playing doubles together for years. We are both on a team for Junior Team Tennis for the USTA (United States Tennis Association). We have competed in many tournaments for the USTA together for about four years. It was very easy to switch from being a singles player to being a doubles player with Alison. Going to states was something that Alison and I have been hoping we’d do for a long time. We play so well together and are such great friends.”
According to Trampert, Tepas and Pasier were a perfect combination.
“They certainly deserve the title of number one doubles in Section Six due to their unique abilities that they bring to the court,” the coach said. “Their talents as singles players have helped their on-court footwork and ability to track down balls. Their style of play is complimentary. Katie rules with blistering ground strokes and Alison is so frustrating to opponents with her jamming lefty strokes and soft drop shots. Their communication skills are superb as they adeptly have repeatedly figured out their opponents weaknesses and have handedly overtaken them.”
Bristol finished the regular season undefeated for the fifth consecutive year. Her last loss was in seventh grade. This fall marked the fifth straight season she advanced to the state championships after finishing in second place in both the ECIC and sectional singles championships. She advanced past the first round in the state championships with 7-5, 6-3 victory, but dropped her second round match 3-6, 3-6.
“Caroline has excellent footwork and endurance,” said Trampert. “She has a fierce sense of competition, yet remains cool under pressure. She is one of most coachable athletes I have ever worked with, because it is a two-way communication when assessing her strategies, plays versus opponents, and her general improvements.”
“Going with Alison and Katie was so much fun,” said Bristol. “It was really nice sharing the experience with teammates that I have been close with over the years. The whole section six team got along very well and we all had a great time. Although it was sad playing my last match as a Quaker, I am also excited because I am going to be playing tennis in college.”