For the girl’s tennis team, it was a 2-1 week. After playing without their top two singles players, Addison Lindsay and Lucy Walker, against Hollidaysburg and losing 5-0, the Wildcats picked up wins over Selinsgrove,4-1, and Jersey Shore by a 3-2 score. Against Selinsgrove, it was the singles players, Lindsay, Lane Walker and Kassie Williams, along with the doubles tandem of Tess Akeley and Leah Wian that picked up wins. Versus Shore, it was Lindsay and the two doubles pairs, Akeley and Wian and Audra Eaton and Kylie Markle, that secured the wins that sealed the deal for the Lady Cats.

The cross-country teams saw action just once, competing in a 4-team meet at Lewisburg. Both the boy’s and girl’s teams finished the meet with identical 2-1 records with victories for both teams over Midd-West and Mount Carmel while failing to the host Lewisburg squads. The boys were led by Damien Winner, Riley Gonzalez and Latrell Walker while the girls were passed by Grace Keohane, Aubrey Eiler and Emma Wolfe. CM first-year runner, Kaylie McCloskey set a new PR in the meet. Both squads now sit at 7-2 on the season.

On the links, it was an exciting week that saw CM go 1-1. After falling to Jersey Shore, 157-163 at Belles Springs on Tuesday, the Wildcats picked up a thrilling road win over Williamsport on a playoff hole after each team registered a score of 169 on Wednesday. Against shore, it was Reese Wlaizer leading the Wildcat effort with a 37 in the nine-hole match with teammate Micheal Lodek right behind with a 40. In the Williamsport match, it was once again Walizer leading the way for Central Mountain. She and Lodek would secure the win for the Wildcats, as they both registered a par on the extra hole to win the match.

Despite displaying solid effort in their two games last week against quality. PHAC foes, the Lady Wildcat soccer team fell in both contests as they were defeated 6-0 by Danville on the road and 3-0 by Midd-West at home. While demonstrating the ability to possess the ball and play in the offensive end of the field, the Lady Cats have been unable to stick the ball in the back of the net. That would seemingly be a next important step for the young CM squad.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain’s Lane Walker returns the ball during a girls tennis match against Jersey Shore earlier this season.

The boys soccer team battled against two quality PHAC opponents, Selinsgrove and Williamsport. Both contests ended in ties. In the game at Selinsgrove, it was a 3-3 tie as Central Mountain got goals from Cole Cooper, Nolan Cross and Dylan Bechdel. At Williamsport, it was a 1-1 tie as Bechdel again found the back of the net for CM’s lone goal in the contest. Coach Billy Hook knows that his team is ever so close to coming up with wins against the top teams in the conference but recognizes that they need to complete the final piece of the puzzle for that to happen.

“We are trying to do all the right things, playing very well and showing signs of being more consistent and dangerous,” said Hook on the team. “It just comes down to the final pass and finish being as precise as possible. The guys are aware of that and are really focusing on it, we just need to make it happen.”

On Friday evening, Selinsgrove came to Dan Malinak Stadium for a gridiron battle with the Wildcats featuring two 0-3 teams. Despite moving the ball at times, it was a story of penalties and lack of splash play ability that doomed the Wildcats and saw the Seals leave Mill Hall with a 27-3 victory that dropped CM to 0-4 on the season. Unfortunately, things will not get any easier for the Wildcats as they prepare to welcome undefeated Shamokin (4-0) to Malinak on Friday evening.

After league wins at Hughesville and Lewisburg during the week by identical 3-0 scores, the volleyball team traveled to St. Francis University for a tournament on Saturday. In that event, CM opened the day with a loss to Forest Hills before regrouping to gain wins over Cambria Heights, Central Cambria and Greater Johnstown to qualify for the Gold Bracket. In bracket play, the Lady Cats defeated Penns Valley before being eliminated by eventual tournament champ, West Branch.

Team of the Week: No team was without blemish this week. Thus, the decision here can be debated but that doesn’t mean that I’m not selecting one. My choice…boys’ soccer. Why? Despite not recording a win, their two ties against quality league opponents on the road shows that the boys are primed for some big wins ahead. If they can begin to finish, look out.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express CM’s Gabby Beaubrun (11) performs a spike during a home volleyball match earlier this season.

Athlete of the Week: Several athletes had big weeks. Dylan Bechdel scored goals in both of the boys soccer games last week. He has been active all season and leads the Cats in goals scored thus far. Reese Walizer led the golf team in both matches last week as has often been the case. Both athletes will get an honorable mention this week for their play. This week’s choice is Kylie Rauch of the Lady Wildcat volleyball team who had a big week on the court. Kylie has been asked to play three positions this season and has excelled wherever she has played.

Looking ahead: There is a big volleyball match at BEA on Monday. Cross-country competes at home on Tuesday at the LHU course before heading to Hershey on Saturday for a PIAA meet. Boys’ soccer has a big week as they play three times, including a home game vs. Milton on Tuesday. There will be plenty of events to enjoy in the beautiful weather that is anticipated this week, so get out and enjoy watching high school athletics.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Central Mountain’s Kylie Rauch (12) performs an eventual kill during a volleyball match against Berwick earlier this season.