Spotlight on Saucon Senior Tennis Players: Bohnhorst, Martin and Till

"Kayla Bohnhorst is a 4-year starter and has really grown as a tennis player. In those four years she has won a bronze medal in doubles, teaming up with her sister Katrina in her sophomore year. She was honorable mention All Colonial League her sophomore year and second team All Colonial League last year. She has played the number 1 singles spot for the past two years. This season Kayla is one of our team's co-captains. Kayla is very dedicated to tennis and our team. She has also served as manager for our boy's team for the past three years. She represented our school very well during her 4 years of competing and I will greatly miss her next year." -Joann Ochse, Head Coach

Kayla began playing tennis when she was about 6 years old. The four-year varsity player notes: "There have been many celebratory moments and moments of disappointment, but all in all I had an amazing time..." Some career highlights include: playing on the varsity team as a freshman, beating an undefeated Moravian Academy in a singles match as a sophomore, and her 2nd Place finish in the 2011 District XI AA finals.

Kayla is a member of the prom committee and active in her class's fundraising activities. Her favorite subject is math and her favorite food is pizza. A favorite activity is sewing, which enables her to create and model her designs. Lucille Ball is her role model. "She was an amazing actress with a great sense of humor. I also envy her long eyelashes," she said.

Future plans include: majoring in fashion design and minoring in journalism at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she will also play tennis.

Kayla has an older sister, Katrina, and is the daughter of Kurt and Nancy Bohnhorst.

"Debbie Martin has been a starter for 3 years. Her first two seasons she played doubles. She was second team All Colonial League last year at first doubles. This year she moved into the number 2 singles position and became known as the comeback kid for her numerous wins coming from a set down. I can't say enough about her work ethic and determination to win. Debbie is our team captain and a quiet leader on the courts." -Joann Ochse, Head Coach

Debbie began playing tennis when she was 7. Upon entering high school, "I decided to try out for the team," she recalled. She played #2 doubles as a sophomore and #1 doubles in her junior year. Her description of playing #2 singles as a senior was that it was an "awesome experience overall." She added: "I could never ask for a better coach or team."

In 2012, Kayla Bohnhorst (#1 singles) teamed with Debbie Martin (#2 singles) and advanced to the final round in District XI AA Doubles play after beating the #1 seeded team in round 4 at the Westend Racquet Club. The duo finished 2nd, which Debbie lists as her career highlight. "To never defeat Moravian Academy" was most disappointing for her.

"Nana" is Debbie's role model and her favorite tennis player is Novak Djokovic. Government and Economics is her favorite subject, and she enjoys being outdoors, going to the movies and eating ice cream.

She is active in student government, plays basketball and has been a member of the jazz choir for 3 years. Future plans include enrolling in a 4-year college, where she wants to play intramural tennis. After college she would like to join the Peace Corps and eventually go to grad school.

Debbie has two sisters, Linnea and Danielle, and is the daughter of Dan and Sandy Martin. Not to be overlooked is a little bichon named Doug! 

"Mackenzie Till is a 2-year starter. Last year she played #2 doubles and was honorable mention All Colonial League. This season she also moved up to singles, playing the #3 spot for us. Mackenzie is a very hard competitor and never gives up during a match. She also has come back several times from being a set down to win and help the team come away with a victory. Mackenzie is co-captain this year and really rallies her teammates. She brings a great deal of enthusiasm to the courts." -Joann Ochse, Head Coach

Mackenzie started playing tennis because, she said, "I didn't want to play field hockey anymore, and tennis seemed like the best choice for a fall sport." Mackenzie lists several career highlights: being named most improved player in her junior year, being named honorable mention in the Express-Times and defeating Southern Lehigh! "Losing is always a disappointment!" she said.

Coach Joann Ochse is her role model. "That woman goes above and beyond in everything she does," she said. Her favorite professional players are Roger Federer, Venus Williams and Serena Williams.

Mackenzie is active in the Glee Club, chorus, Challenge, Invisible Children, theater and plays lacrosse. Her favorite subject is Government and Economics. A stop at a McDonald's will always include her favorite French fries! She expects to enroll in a four-year college where she wants to major in physical therapy and play collegiate lacrosse. 

Mackenzie has a brother, Austin, and is the daughter of Kim Finnerty and Martin Till.