The Franklin Regional girls tennis team has a new coach and a new No. 1 player.
Rochelle Seilhamer, 74, was hired to replace Kevin Fisher, who resigned to spend more time on his business. Fisher will continue to coach the boys team in the spring.
“I just had too much on my plate,” Fisher said. “I had to give up something I loved doing.”
Seilhamer was the Franklin Regional junior varsity coach the past four seasons. She also was previously the Gateway girls coach.
“This is a building year,” Seilhamer said. “We have some young talent, and I expect us to be good in a year or two. We just must put the right people in the right position.”
Franklin Regional lost its first Section 1-3A match to Hempfield, 4-1. The Panthers have stayed near the top of the section standings the past few seasons.
“Hempfield is going to be one of the top teams in the section,” Seilhamer said. “They have a lot of experience.”
While it may be a struggle for the team this season, the Panthers may be blessed with one of the top singles players in the WPIAL.
Foreign exchange student Zeynat Isik from Germany has shined early on.
“She has only lost one game.” Seilhamer said. “She has an all-around game. She plays well at the net, serve and volley and a phenomenal ground game.
“None of the girls can keep up with her, so I have the boys practice against her,” Seilhamer added “I was surprised to get her. I believe she can contend for the singles title.”
Penn-Trafford’s Mia Williams was a four-time Section 1 champion, a WPIAL Class 3A champion in 2022 and PIAA Class 3A champion in 2025.
Shady Side Academy senior Meriwether McCargo defeated Williams the past three seasons in the WPIAL finals, but has not won a PIAA title yet.
Other players Seilhamer is counting on include senior Sofia Palombo, senior Tanisha Narayani and junior Azani Kulkarnie.
Palombo competed in the section singles and doubles in 2025.
Seilhamer said she expects Palombo will do the same this season.
Seilhamer said Norwin, Penn-Trafford and Latrobe, along with Hempfield, make the section extremely competitive.
“I am excited to watch the team grow,” Seilhamer said.
