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2026 LebCo Girls Tennis Season Outlook
The high school girls tennis season is underway across Lebanon County, and while each program enters the fall with different expectations, experience is a common theme throughout the area.
Palmyra returns nearly its entire lineup after setting a program record for victories and winning the Lebanon County title. Annville-Cleona is led by record-setting senior Nia Hafey, while Lebanon hopes to build upon its first winning season in quite some time. ELCO and Cedar Crest bring back experienced lineups looking to take steps forward, while Northern Lebanon will navigate an unusual start to the season as construction continues on its home courts.
There will also be a change to get accustomed to across Pennsylvania. Teams will compete under the new three-singles, two-doubles format, adding another variable as coaches determine how best to construct their lineups.
With returning standouts, experienced rosters, young players ready for expanded opportunities, and plenty of team goals to chase, here’s a look at Lebanon County’s girls tennis programs entering the 2026 season.
Below is a team-by-team look at each program’s expectations.
Annville-Cleona Dutchmen
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Michael Hall – 4th season
Key Returners: Nia Hafey (Sr., #1 Singles); Samara Roserie (Sr.); Charlotte Clyde (Sr.)
Rising Contributors: Devyn Meyer (Fr.); Vivienne Taylor (Fr.)
Collegiate Competitors: Amelia Summers (Grove City)
Season Outlook
Annville-Cleona went 9-7 last season with a developing lineup, and the Dutchmen enter 2026 looking to build on that experience. Leading the way is Nia Hafey, who already owns the program record with 72 career victories. Hafey was a Section 3 All-Star, District singles quarterfinalist, District doubles qualifier, and Lebanon County Tournament #1 Singles champion last season.
The graduation of Gabby Tetzlaff, who finished second in program history with 64 wins, and co-captain Kaleena Espada creates opportunities throughout the lineup. Seniors Samara Roserie and Charlotte Clyde will join Hafey in providing leadership, while freshmen Devyn Meyer and Vivienne Taylor are expected to immediately compete for varsity positions.
Outside of Hafey’s spot at #1 singles, much of the lineup remains open. With the move to the new 3-2 format, A-C will use the early season to determine how its homegrown talent fits together as the Dutchmen look to remain competitive in Section 3.
Annville-Cleona Dutchmen Schedule
Cedar Crest Falcons
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1
Head Coach: Julia Ruiz-Roman – 4th season
Key Returners: Lana Cawley (Sr.); Lexi Ramsey (Jr.); Kara Cawley (Jr.)
Rising Contributors: Kara Robertson (Sr.); Emma Hartman (Sr.); Sarah Gerhart (Sr.); Clara Tawadrous (So.)
Season Outlook
Cedar Crest enters 2026 looking to improve upon last year’s 3-10 record with a roster that brings back considerable varsity experience. Lana Cawley, Lexi Ramsey, and Kara Cawley headline the returners for third-year head coach Julia Ruiz-Roman, with Kara Cawley already picking up singles victories early this season.
The Falcons do have to replace Laura Barton, Ava Bashore, and Ali Sparks, but there is plenty of familiarity elsewhere in the lineup. Kara Robertson and Sarah Gerhart, along with Emma Hartman and Clara Tawadrous, give Cedar Crest experienced doubles options after contributing together last season.
With few newcomers joining the program, Coach Ruiz-Roman sees this as a season less about introducing players to varsity tennis and more about refining the skills of an experienced group. With 11 seniors on the roster, the Falcons will look to turn that experience into improved results this fall.
ELCO Raiders
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Chris Gyorke – 9th season
Key Returners: Haley Strickler (Sr.); Serenity Spangler (Sr.); Steffi Gettlet (Jr.); Delanie Hartman (Jr.); Annelyse Bogart (Jr.); Melanie Baldwin (Jr.); Chelsea Kramer (Jr.); Trinity Donough (Jr.)
Rising Contributors: Leah Bozman (Fr.); Ava Walmer (Fr.)
Season Outlook
After going 5-10 during what was considered a rebuilding season in 2025, ELCO enters this fall with considerably more experience. Juniors Delanie Hartman, Trinity Donough, and Melanie Baldwin occupied three of the Raiders’ four singles positions last year and have shown improvement heading into 2026. All three are expected to remain in singles as Pennsylvania moves to the new three-singles, two-doubles format.
There is continuity in doubles as well. Chelsea Kramer and Steffi Gettlet return after playing together last season, as do Haley Strickler and Annelyse Bogart. Freshmen Leah Bozman and Ava Walmer are among the newcomers joining an otherwise experienced group.
Coach Gyorke believes the new format may not play to ELCO’s depth as well as the previous setup, but the improvement throughout the returning lineup provides reason for optimism. After last year’s rebuilding season, the Raiders have set a .500 record or better as their target for 2026.
Lebanon Cedars
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1
Head Coach: Morgan Brady – 4th season
Key Returners: Esmeralda Chavez (Jr.); Monroe Carpenter-Sales (Jr.)
Season Outlook
Lebanon enters 2026 looking to build on a breakthrough season. The Cedars finished 8-5 last fall, producing the program’s first winning record in quite some time and finishing near the top of the Section 1 standings.
The lineup will look much different following the graduation of Scarlett Meyer, Sarah Zheng, Sally Zheng, and Yuna Mercedes. Juniors Esmeralda Chavez and Monroe Carpenter-Sales return after playing doubles together and contributing points last season. Both will take on much larger roles this fall, with Chavez moving into the #1 singles position and Carpenter-Sales slated for #2 singles.
Beyond those two, Lebanon will be working with a largely inexperienced group. The focus will be on developing its newcomers, gaining match experience, and continuing the program growth that resulted in last year’s winning season.
Northern Lebanon Vikings
Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3
Head Coach: Matt Berdinka – 18th season
Key Returners: Elsie Shuey (Sr.)
Season Outlook
Northern Lebanon enters 2026 looking to improve upon last year’s 3-9 overall record and 3-6 mark in section play. The Vikings will build around Elsie Shuey, who returns as their key player following the graduation of Rachel Troup.
The early challenge will be logistical as much as competitive. With Northern Lebanon’s courts being reconstructed, Berdinka and the Vikings expect to spend roughly the first three weeks practicing on just two courts at an off-site location. They will also play their early-season matches on the road until the new home courts are completed.
Despite the unusual start, Northern Lebanon has several returning players along with a group that is new to the sport. With Berdinka bringing 17 years of non-consecutive coaching experience to the program, the Vikings are hoping to compete well throughout the season and have set a .500 record as a target for 2026.
Northern Lebanon Vikings Schedule
Palmyra Cougars
Mid-Penn Conference – Keystone Division
Head Coach: Matt Opilo – 27th season
Key Returners: Anna Rashid (Sr.); Niyanta Patel (Sr.); Alana Frawley (Sr.)
Season Outlook
Expectations are understandably high for Palmyra after the Cougars set a program record with 12 victories last season. The biggest reason for optimism is continuity, as Anna Rashid, Niyanta Patel, and Alana Frawley headline a group that returns all but one player from that record-setting team.
The lone departure is a significant one, with Mia Fair graduating after holding the #1 singles position. Still, Palmyra expects to be experienced throughout the lineup and believes its strong team chemistry can be another asset as the Cougars work to fill the opening at the top.
After winning the Lebanon County title last season, Palmyra has set its sights on defending that championship and earning a spot in the District 3 Team Championships. With nearly everyone back from the most successful team in program history, the Cougars have plenty of experience to pursue those goals.
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