There were some interesting results from the recent tennis tournament championships. 

Here are the results along with pictures of the winning squads…

In the District XI boy’s singles finals:

2A Finals- #1 Deven Pandey (Saucon Valley) defeated #2 Ford Koch (Moravian Academy) 6-4, 6-2

3A Finals- #5 Chris Stone (Emmaus) defeated #2 Gideon Knowles (Nazareth) 6-3, 6-3 

In the girl’s District XI TEAM finals…

2A Finals- #1 Moravian Academy 3 #2 Allentown Central Catholic 0    

3A Finals- #1 Parkland 3 #2 Liberty 0 

Next, in the District XI girl’s singles finals:

2A Finals- #1 Francesca Bartolacci (Moravian Academy) defeated #3 Mallory Conner (Northwestern Lehigh) 6-4, 6-0

3A Finals- #1 Helena Lynn (Liberty) defeated #2 Alexandria Warsing (Parkland) 5-7, 6-2, 6-3  

Last but not least, here are the boys Eastern Pennsylvania Conference “All-League” team members…

EPC Most Valuable Player:  Luke Appleman – Liberty  

EPC Boys Tennis (Singles) First Team All-Conference:

EPC Boys Tennis (Singles) Second Team All-Conference:

EPC Boys Tennis (Singles) Third Team All-Conference:

EPC Boys Tennis (Doubles) First Team All-Conference:

EPC Boys Tennis (Doubles) Second Team All-Conference:

EPC Boys Tennis (Doubles) Third Team All-Conference:

More local tennis news, award winners and honors, along with other sports’ achievements by student-athletes in the Astound TV Network’s coverage area – as they become available – in future editions of “The SportsTalk Shop!”

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

Today we introduce a new blogger and series of articles by Salome Carr, a standout lacrosse athlete at Saucon Valley HS and Moravian College, to increase the awareness, knowledge and popularity of this growing sport for our readers.

In the realm of sports, lacrosse stands out as one of the top emerging sports with rapid growth in recent years in not only the Lehigh Valley, but across the country and all over the world. There has been a rise in the amount of teams and opportunities at the high school, collegiate, and even professional levels. Lacrosse is the oldest team sport in North America. The game played today originates from Native American communities and most closely relates to stickball that the Haudenosaunee or Iroquois people. Over the years, it has been adapted to cater to a diverse array of participants across different age groups, genders, and skill levels, and still continues to grow each and every year. 

When it comes to the technicalities of the game, the Men’s and Women’s versions could not be more different. While they do share fundamental principles such as getting the ball in the net, the two variants exhibit distinct differences. Men’s lacrosse is renowned for its physicality and high-speed gameplay, with aggressive stick checks, and lightning-fast shots on goal. Conversely, women’s lacrosse prioritizes finesse, strategy, and precision, with players wielding different equipment and adhering to modified rules regarding contact and protective gear. Not only do the men and women play with different equipment, the field set up and number of players is different too. 

Men 

• 10 players on the field at once
• 6 v 6 on the attacking side 
• Faceoff at the start/after each goal
• Sticks – Field Players
  • Must measure between 40-42 inches in length for standard stick; long pole can be 50-72 inches.
• Equipment – Field Players
  • Helmet
  • Mouthguard
  • Gloves
  • Shoulder & Elbow pads
  • Chest protector

Women 

• 12 players on the field at once 
• 7 v 7 on the attacking side 
• Draw at the start/after each goal 
• Sticks – Field Players
  • Must measure between 35.5 – 43.5 inches in length 
• Equipment – Field Players
  • Mouthguard
  • Goggles or helmet

Despite these differences, both men’s and women’s lacrosse has gained exponential growth in recent years, propelled by an increase in media coverage, sponsorships, and overall popularity. The youth club opportunities in the Lehigh Valley too have grown and expanded in the last 10 years. More importantly, the rise of women’s lacrosse games that are televised has grown exponentially in the more recent years as there is more and more awareness about the game and strong players that are making a name for themselves and the sport as a whole. Additionally, the expansion of professional leagues, such as Premier League Lacrosse (PLL) for men and the Athletes Unlimited Pro Lacrosse League for women, has provided aspiring athletes with pathways to pursue their passion at the highest level. 

Lacrosse’s rise from its indigenous roots to a global sporting phenomenon epitomizes its enduring appeal and adaptability. As it continues to evolve, embracing new audiences and avenues for participation, there is no doubt that this is just the beginning for what is to come. With each passing year, lacrosse cements its status as more than just a game whether on youth “rec fields” or in the professional leagues, it stands as a testament to the power of sport and the impact it has on people.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company

The ATVN Sports Department has been gearing up for our busiest spring playoffs in our network’s history–with coverage of high school baseball, girl’s softball and boy’s and girl’s lacrosse post-season coverage coming up over the next several weeks (not to mention our first two broadcasts from the Grandview Racing Speedway).

Before we start our playoff coverage next week, we’ll have the last of several “SportsTalk” shows taking a look at the different high school sports in our viewing area.  New ATVN softball analyst Sally Whitaker-Kahan will join us to talk about girls softball this spring, along with a look ahead to the league and district playoffs.

Tune in this Thursday at 7pm on ATVN and also streamed live on our YouTube channel:  @AstoundTVNetwork

Now here’s recaps for recent productions on the Astound Television Network.

Astound Sports:  Easton vs. Freedom (12/23)

Astound Sports: Catasauqua vs. Northwestern Lehigh (12/23)

Astound Sports: Central Catholic vs. Nazareth (9/23)

Astound Sports: Parkland vs. Central Catholic (9/23)

Astound Sports: Easton vs. Whitehall (9/23)

DVDs and links to these games can be purchased by contacting the ATVN studio.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

With the spring playoff season nearly upon us – and the summer and fall sports seasons rapidly approaching – we wanted to let you know that the Astound Sports family has expanded … again!

Last month, we introduced Dawn Cipolla–legendary local lacrosse head coach–joining our staff to announce our first ever lacrosse district championships coming up for both the boys and girls 2A and 3A title games, to be aired on the Astound TV Network later this month.

Now, we would like to welcome in several more new on-air announcers to our team.

Sally Whittaker-Kahan

A member of the DeSales University and Parkland High School softball Hall of Fame, Whittaker-Kahan will make her broadcasting debut with us this May as part of our coverage of the District XI girls softball tournament.  In addition to an outstanding playing career, she also excelled in the coaching ranks at Northampton, winning the district title her final year as a head coach. She also excelled and will lend her expertise as a standout basketball and volleyball player to our staff as well. 

Sally will return to the place (Patriots Park in Allentown) where she had great successes as both a player and coach by providing color analysis for ATVN’s broadcasts this spring.

Victoria Newsome

The Villanova University product joins the ATVN staff after stops at the CBS News affiliate in Philadelphia and was an on-air host and sideline reporter for the Wildcats Sports Network. She has a love for sports media, storytelling, hosting, and helping give a voice to the voiceless. In addition, Victoria was on the Villanova Dance Team where she dedicated a majority of my time to practicing, performing, competing, and serving the Delaware Valley community.

Victoria will be making her ATVN debut as sideline reporter for our coverage of the EPC baseball semifinals on May 13th.

Gabrielle DiPaula

 Gabrielle has worked as a sideline reporter for Penn and Princeton University of the Ivy League, and has done both play-by-play in color for Division III McDaniel College in various sports. She is an on-air announcer for WBAL Newsradio and has worked for 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore/Washington, DC, covering the Ravens, Orioles and the University of Maryland football and basketball teams. Gabby also works as a social media correspondent for CBS Sports.

Andrew Harris

Andrew is a former Whitehall High School football standout (who played AHEAD of current Philadelphia Eagles Running Back Saquon Barkley in high school when the latter was a freshman).  He went on to be a multi-year starter at linebacker at Bloomsburg University and returned to the Lehigh Valley after graduation.  Harris will be doing sideline reporting for our fall football coverage.

We also will announce a new blogger joining us with a unique perspective on different local sports in our viewing area – details on yet another new addition coming soon right here on our website! 

Please join me in welcoming all our new broadcasters to the Astound TV Network sports family!

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

On this Thursday’s “SportsTalk,” we will be taking a look at girl’s and boy’s lacrosse in the Eastern Pennsylvania region so far this spring (which has included several record shattering individual performances)…Tune in this Thursday at 7pm on ATVN or on our YouTube channel to get the latest news on this popular sport, along with a preview of the upcoming Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District XI playoff games.

Next week on “SportsTalk,” we’ll be looking at local girl’s softball in the region and looking ahead to the league, district, and state post-season playoffs.

And … if you missed last week’s look at local high school baseball, Astound video customers can watch that show for free at any time through ATVN On-Demand.

Last but not least, some exciting news concerning our local broadcasting of high school sports will be unveiled next week here at “The Shop!”

Make sure you bookmark this page and check back next week for the details!

Now, here’s a look at highlights of recent local sports broadcasts as seen on Astound TV Network.

Enjoy!

Astound Sports: Freedom vs. Nazareth (1/24)

Astound Sports: Northampton vs. Emmaus (12/23)

Astound Sports: Liberty vs. Bethlehem Catholic (12/23)

Astound Sports: Parkland vs. Whitehall (12/23)

Astound Sports: Liberty vs. Emmaus (12/23)

  DVDs and links to these games can be purchased by contacting the ATVN studio.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

ATVN made history – AGAIN – by becoming the first ever local television station to broadcast the Colonial League softball “Play Day” from Patriots Park last week.

Here are the highlights from the first two games played that weekend, with more highlights to come in upcoming weeks.  Plus, bonus footage from other recent broadcasts as seen on the Astound TV Network.

Enjoy!

Astound Sports:  Saucon Valley vs. Salisbury (4/24)

Astound Sports: Wilson vs. Northwestern Lehigh (4/24)

Astound Sports: Emmaus vs. Whitehall (1/24)

Astound Sports: Freedom vs. Southern Lehigh (1/24)

Astound Sports: Notre Dame Green Pond vs. Northwestern Lehigh (1/24)

  DVDs and links to these games can be purchased by contacting the ATVN studio.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

There was news recently announced regarding local sports honors from two different sports organizations in the ATVN viewing area.

First, the Colonial League Girls Basketball Coaches association released the following “all-star” teams for the 2024 season…

FIRST TEAM

SECOND TEAM

HONORABLE MENTION

Secondly, the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference announced their girls volleyball “all-league” teams members and “all-division” first teamers as well…

EPC First Team All-Conference:

Alli Reimer – Parkland, MVP
Maggie Smith – Parkland (PAR)
Bailey Corrigan – Liberty
Anna Quinn – Central (ACC)
Milly Wolf – Central
Lora Flynn – Liberty
Izzy Fekula – Liberty

EPC Second Team All-Conference:

Olivia Keckler – Easton
Rylee Ruggiero – Pleasant Valley (PV)
Emerson Springs – ACC
Hailey Wanko – Nazareth (NAZ)
Lexi Womack – PV
Ava Best – PAR

EPC Third Team All-Conference:

Amelia Michener – ACC
Briana Bruckman – PV
Madi Siggins – PAR
Malena Sabol – LIB
Kami Kirkham – NAZ
Hannah Akob – PV

North Division First Team:

Briana Bruckman – PV
Hannah Akob – PV
Rylee Ruggiero – PV
Lexi Womack – PV
Alexis Wilkes – PV
Kara Miller – PV
Laila Noboa – PME
Amiyah Poliseno – PV

East Division First Team:

Olivia Keckler – Easton
Bailey Corrigan – LIB
Lora Flynn – LIB
Hailey Wanko – NAZ
Hannah Swinsburg – Easton
Kami Kirkham – NAZ
Piper Ruggiero – BEC
Sophia Bedics – BEC
Landry Guman – FRE

West Division First Team: 

Milly Wolf – ACC
Maggie Smith – PAR
Alli Reimer – PAR
Amelia Michener – ACC
Ava Best – PAR
Anna Quinn – ACC
Emerson Springs – ACC
Izzy Fekula – PAR

Check back to “The Shop” for more all-star listings as they become available to us.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

Before our last look back at the top plays and meets from this past season on ATVN another “first” for the ATVN Sports department–and our viewers!

We are once again journeying into new territory and bringing you a local sports event for the first time in our network’s history.  On Friday we will be broadcasting the annual Colonial League girls softball “Play Day” from Patriots Park in Allentown.  There have been some great local games on the diamond this spring, and ATVN will be broadcasting Friday’s games live and on our YouTube page.

Tune in as Astound continues to bring you more local sports action than ever before!

Now, here’s our final look back at the top plays from this past basketball season (check back in a couple weeks for different sports highlights on ATVN!)

Astound Sports: Liberty vs. Nazareth (2/24)

Astound Sports:  Parkland vs. Northampton (1/24)

Astound Sports: Parkland vs. Emmaus (2/24)

Astound Sports: Allentown Central Catholic vs. Northampton (1/24)

Astound Sports: Liberty vs. Parkland (1/24)

Astound video customers can re-watch these games for free for up to two months from their initial air dates as seen on the Astound TV Network.

Also, DVDs and links to these games can be purchased by contacting the ATVN studio.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

We continue our look at the top plays and meets from this past season on ATVN.

Today we focus on the wrestling teams from Bethlehem Catholic, Easton, Emmaus and Parkland – and more!  See if your favorite student-athletes made our list this week!

Astound Sports: Liberty vs. Central Catholic High School

Astound Sports:  Emmaus vs. Parkland (2/24)

Astound Sports: Bethlehem Catholic vs. Easton (2/24)

Astound Sports: Easton vs. Northampton (2/24)

Astound Sports: Dieruff vs. Liberty (1/24)

Check back to “The SportsTalk Shop” for more highlights from the past season.  Astound video customers can re-watch these games for free for up to two months from their initial air dates as seen on the Astound TV Network.

Also, DVDs and links to these games can be purchased by contacting the ATVN studio.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.

A quick programming note before we continue our look at the top plays from the past winter postseason on ATVN.

Tune in to this Thursday’s “SportsTalk” show for our first of several shows this spring/summer featuring new head coaches in our viewing area!  The show airs live at 7pm on the Astound TV Network and also will be streaming for free on our YouTube channel (@AstoundTVNetwork).       Astound video customers can watch the program for free at any time through Astound’s On-Demand services for up to two months by simply pushing the “VOD” button on your remote control or by going to “channel 1.”

Now, more of the top plays front this past winter sports season as seen on ATVN!

Astound Sports: Notre Dame Green Pond vs. Palmerton (2/24)

Astound Sports:  Liberty vs. Parkland (2/24)

Astound Sports: Parkland vs. Nazareth (2/24)

Astound Sports: Southern Lehigh vs. Salisbury (2/24)

Astound Sports: Bethlehem Catholic vs. Easton (2/24)

DVDs and links to these games can be purchased by contacting the ATVN studio.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Astound Broadband or any other agency, organization, employer or company.