2007 Boys Union County Tennis

At the 2007 Union County Tennis Championships at the Donald Van Blake Courts in Plainfield, it was as if time stood still, with almost nothing changing from a year ago.

Just like in 2006, Ryan Krueger of Scotch Plains Fanwood defeated Ravi Netravali of Westfield in straight sets to win the first singles title and the Blue Devils withstood the loss of their top player, Kevin Shallcross, to sweep the other four flights and score a near perfect total of 96 points.

Except for a few subtle differences, that was exactly the same script as a year ago when underclassmen also dominated the tournament. In 2006 the tournament was contested on consecutive days, but this year, after beginning on Thursday, inclement weather on Friday forced the final two rounds to be played on Monday. In between, the Blue Devils romped to two victories in the Westfield Invitational on Saturday, defeating Summit 5-0 and Hun 4-1 to advance to 12-0. Coach George Kapner’s team, ranked number one in the state, has so much depth and interchangeable players that he used different lineups in each of the three competitions.

“We clearly have a very balanced line-up. We have won some big matches this year without key players,” said Kapner.

Last year Shallcross was sidelined by an injury, but this time was given permission by Kapner to play in a national United States Tennis Association tournament...

“At the Union County tournament, we were without only one player. Our attitude is, whoever is on this team is good enough to be in the line-up and that line-up is good enough to win,” said Kapner.

In 2006, Krueger and Netravali were third and fourth seeds respectively, but won upset matches in the semi finals. As defending champion and top seed, Krueger had a bull’s-eye on his back this time but relished the role as favorite.

“The competition, as always, is very competitive and everyone is out to get the defending champion so I knew I had to step up my game,” said Krueger.

“Ravi is an excellent player. Over the last year he has improved greatly which has forced me to bring up my game. I knew I had to bring my 'A' game,” added Krueger.

In the semi finals, Krueger crushed. Adedotun Osho of Plainfield, 6-1, 6-1, while Netravali defeated Greg Chilson of Governor Livingston, 6-1, 6-2. Krueger did not lose a set in cruising to his second straight crown and won even more decisively than last year, dropping only four games in a 6-3,6-1 triumph that clearly impressed Kapner.

“Ryan is an excellent tennis player who deserves the accolades that he is receiving for winning the Union County first singles championship not once, but twice, and both times as an underclassman. This is an exceptional achievement,” said Kapner.

“This team doesn't approach any match or tournament with the mind set that we are short handed,” said Kapner.

Sophomore James Chu, normally third singles for Westfield, won his second straight second-singles crown when he outlasted John Angiuoni of Summit, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Sophomore Greg Luppescu, who beat out 2006 third singles champion Dean Thompson and has played at both second and third singles this season, defeated Summit's Alex Zerfoss, 6-3, 6-1, in the third-singles final.

Thompson and Junior Akis Evangelidis lost only three games in the tournament and routed Bill Beck and Andrew Fezza of New Providence 6-0, 6-1 at first doubles.

Freshmen Graeme Stahl and Justin Snyder easily handled Zach Goff and Alex Kramer of Summit, 6-4, 6-1, at second doubles

After a seven year drought, Kapner has now won three titles in a row to push his total to ten and with the youth and talent available a new Westfield dynasty has emerged.

“Reclaiming the title two years ago was far more exciting, but the last two championships have been part of the building process of restoring WHS boy’s tennis to the upper echelon of New Jersey high school tennis.”

With Krueger and the entire Westfield team returning in 2008, “Same time next year” might be an appropriate prognostication.

2007 Westfield Boys Preview

When you have nine of your top ten players returning from a 23-3 team it would seem that your lineup should be fairly set but the combination of inclement weather and heated competition has made the preseason anything but sedate for veteran Westfield Tennis Coach George Kapner.

“This has easily been the most competitive year in terms of challenge matches in my entire career,” said Kapner.

The strong internal competition is indicative of the depth that developed early last season when first singles player Kevin Shallcross was lost for most of the rest of the year with a leg injury.

With Shallcross out, each singles player moved up one slot but the Blue Devils hardly missed a beat as they easily swept through the Watchung Conference and were dominant in winning their second straight Union County championship. The team scored 96 out of 100 points to 72 for second place Summit to win their 26^th championship overall as they won four of the five flights.

“Initially, I assumed that no team could recover from the loss of its best player, but we never missed a beat.” noted Kapner.

.Second singles Ravi Netravali took over Shallcross’ spot and upset the defending champion Kevin Chen of New Providence in the semi finals before losing in the finals to Ryan Krueger of Scotch Plains.

Shallcross recovered from his injury to finish strong and defeated Krueger in the state tournament before losing in the third round. Shallcross won several competitive challenge matches and emerges again as Westfield’s top player.

“Kevin is mentally tougher, he is more experienced, and that experience has been achieved against higher competition than he had been used to before due to the fact that he is now playing and highly ranked in the 18's rather than the 16's,” said Kapner.

Netravali currently would once again play second singles although that is not finalized.

“The actual line-up has yet to be determined, but Ravi is definitely more confident than he was last year and is in better condition and also playing at a higher level than he was last year,” added Kapner.

Sophomore James Chou, who won the second singles county title last year before missing the late portion of the season with an injury, is one of several candidates to lay third singles.

“James lost a challenge match early in the process but has come roaring back into consideration with some excellent results. He is two or three wins away from regaining his singles spot from last year. He, too, is more fit and mentally stronger than last year.”

said Kapner.

Pushing Chou will be junior Akis Evangelidis, sophomores Greg Luppescu and Dean Thompson and freshman Justin Snyder.

Usually a doubles player, Thompson moved up to win the county title at third singles.

Whoever does not make it to singles from that group s in the running for doubles along with seniors Jon Ramalho and Jack Trimble, juniors Melvin Diep, Evan Eisenberg, Matt Gralla and Jared Greene and freshman Graeme Stahl.

Eisenberg and Gralla rolled to the second doubles title last year while Trimble teamed with the graduated Lee Bernstein to win on first doubles. With so much equal talent, Kapner will have an embarrassment of riches in picking his doubles teams but not necessarily a pleasant task for the veteran coach.

“Depth is a both a gift and a curse. At this time of year, it is very difficult to watch challenge matches. At the end of the match, one of your athletes is exuberant and the other despondent. Once the season begins, however, knowing that an almost equally skilled player is ready to take your place should push the starters to maintain their focus every day,” said Kapner.

2007 Scotch Plains Boys Preview

In her second year coaching the Scotch Plains Boys Tennis team, Sandra Miller is hoping for more consistency than the 2006 season, a campaign which could have been divided into two very unequal parts. The two days of the Union County Tournament provided the team with most of its highlights including a fourth place finish and the prestigious first singles championship but the rest of the season was far less successful as injuries took their toll on the young team which finished 11-10.

Leading a young but veteran team will be Junior Ryan Krueger who returns after becoming the first Raider player since Arjun Viswanathan in 1995 to win a county title. Coming in as the third seed, Krueger avenged an earlier season defeat by dispatching second seeded David Richards of Summit in the semi finals and fourth seeded Ravi Netravali of Westfield in the finals.

Krueger also produced a sterling19-4 mark against challenging opposition and advanced to the second round of the state individual tournament. Krueger, who lost to Kevin Shallcross of Westfield in the second singles finals as a freshman, is not resting on his laurels.

“I have been working on my service and net game over the past months. Improving in these areas are vital for high school tennis success,” said Krueger a nationally ranked player.

“There is good competition this year in counties. Defending my title is a goal for myself and is a high priority.”

“Ryan has worked hard in the off season, playing in many tournaments and looks very sharp,” said Miller.

Unlike a year ago when Krueger and fellow sophomore Scott Leyden were the only returning starters, Miller’s starts the season with experience at most positions.

Leyden begins his second season playing second singles after making a significant jump from second doubles. Often overmatched last year, Miller is hoping his experiences will help make him better this year.

“I am hoping that Scott will be ready for the challenge of second singles. He has played some very good tennis so far,” said Miller.

Currently every other position is unsettled with challenge matches deciding the lineup.

Junior Mike DeVizio, an All County soccer player last fall, used his speed and athleticism to combine with fellow junior Ted Rosenblatt to finish fourth in the county at first doubles and Miller expects the duo to excel again whether or not they play together.

Miller is counting on vastly improved senior co-captains Mike Cejovic and Chris Thompson to likely man second doubles. Sophomore Eric Heinz and freshman Dan Nizri are also contending for open spots.

With more players than openings Miller is hoping that a Junior Varsity team will be approved.

“If we have a JV team in place I think our future looks very good for

.SPFHS tennis. .There are several freshmen and sophomores who have talent and just need more playing time,” says Miller.

2007 Cranford Boys Tennis Preview

By all accounts Bill Prisco’s first year as Cranford High School Tennis Coach in 2006,

was a smashing success but for his second go round he is preaching caution and warns that it is not realistic to expect the 2007 Cougars to approach last season’s exploits.

“Last year was a great start. for me and the team but the reality of high school tennis

is it.changes every couple of years, “says Prisco?

“We lost our top four players from a year ago so naturally this is a rebuilding year.”

The Cougars also make their debut in the Mountain Valley Conference (MVC) after playing in the Watchung Conference.

“The MVC. is a much tougher tennis conference than the Watchung. There is a big drop off after the top two teams but in the Mountain Valley there are five strong teams that we play twice each,” said Prisco,

In his first season, Prisco felt fortunate to be able to have an experienced group of seniors

for the three singles slots. But Justin Grand, Bogden Lysikov and Steve Milwicz (14-4 on third singles) as well as first doubles player Tom Gessner have all graduated leaving Senior Jesse Hynes as the leader of this year’s team. Hynes teamed with Gessner to dominate on first doubles compiling a 12-4 mark.

“Jesse is a talented and extremely competitive athlete but going from first doubles to

first singles is a big jump for anybody and Jesse was wrestling all winter,” said Prisco.

Hynes was one of the Cougar’s top wrestlers this past winter, compiling a 18-5 record and finished second in the districts at 119. But Prisco realizes that Hynes may take some time to reacquire his tennis skills.

The other returnees Junior Craig Palmisano and Sophomore Alec Compagna did a solid job in their first year together at second doubles and figure to either move up to play second and third singles this year. Their order will be determined by several preseason challenge matches

“Our returning players will have to carry the load and hopefully the leadership,” said Prisco.

.Juniors James Casale, Cris Sheridan and Timur Turdubaer and freshman Dereck

Decagna figure to comprise the two doubles spots with only Turdubaer having any varsity experience.

“After evaluating the talent we have this year, I would honestly say we could be 500. if we play well,” said Prisco.

That would be a big drop from last season’s 16-6 mark when the Cougars saved their best tennis for the end of the spring, winning ten of their last twelve matches, including a satisfying 4-1 victory over rival Scotch Plains Fanwood. That triumph avenged an earlier season loss to the Raiders by the same score and underscored the Cougars’ relentless improvement.

Included among their 16 wins was a 3-2 victory over Nutley in the opening round of the state tournament. The Cougars’ season ended with a 5-0 loss to the state’s number one team, Millburn in the second round but that could not nullify the teams’ strong finish

“We turned our program around in the second half of the season. You could see that the team was playing with a lot more confidence. They started to believe in themselves,” said Prisco.

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2006 Scotch Plains Girls Tennis Review

Second year Scotch Plains Fanwood Tennis Coach Sandra Miller does not consider herself any kind of clairvoyant, but her preseason prediction of a slow start with a strong finish perfectly handicapped her team’s season.

The Raiders bounced back from a 1-4 start to finish with a 10-7 mark as many of their young and inexperienced players continued to improve as the season transpired.

Seniors Kiara Thomas and Jaclyn (Jaci) were the only players to enter the season with significant varsity experience and although broken up from playing doubles they each had competitive seasons on second and third singles respectively.

Thomas finished 4-7 and Lopez was 6-7, but that far from tells the whole stories of their seasons. As the only two seniors on the team, Miller appreciated all the little extra attributes the pair brought to the team.

“They showed our team how to find food and eat before every match. They attended almost all of our matches and Jaci ordered the best tennis uniform the Scotch Plains
Fanwood girls tennis team has ever worn,” said Miller, who added:

“Kiara and Jaci also made sure that the end of the season tradition of toilet papering of my house was accomplished, despite many projects, papers and assorted school work.
They all left their signatures and many thank yous for a great tennis
season on my driveway with chalk.”

“Playing tennis here the last four years was very enjoyable,” said Lopez.
“I think that all our talented young players will make this team very tough the next few years.”

The Raiders ended the season with a night victory over Kearny under the lights at
Kramer Manor tennis courts on October 30th. Six of their seven losses were to teams that spent some or all of the season among the state’s top twenty, including two to arch rival Westfield.

“We started the season with some very tough matches,” said Miller.

“For some reason the start of the season was not smooth, however, by
our fifth match we were beginning to feel like a team and we were winning most of our late season matches.”

An influx of new players caused Miller to repeatedly change her lineup. Junior Kathleen Yan emerged from playing few matches as a sophomore to rising to first singles and finishing with a 3-8 record.

“She took her lumps this year. Moving up to first singles isn’t easy even if you played second singles a year ago but Kathy learned many things this year that should help her next season,” said Miller.

Sophomore Sahrula Kubie and Freshman Alex Szczuka were the regulars duo at first doubles and posted a 5-5 record, while Juniors Courtney Bifani and Rachel Kreyer at second doubles compiled a 6-3 record.

“I hope to see Courtney and Rachel improve over the next months and come to
Varsity tennis with another winning attitude,” said Miller.

In a late season match at Cranford, Szczuka showed her potential with a 6-1, 6-1 victory at third singles and Miller expects her and Kubie to take over the second and third singles slots next season.

Junior Maya Robinson. Sophomore Emily Katz and Freshman Neha Pannuri also filled in successfully wherever needed... Robinson was undefeated in four singles matches. and Katz and Pannuri won all three of their singles matches.

While enthusiastic about the future, Miller realizes that her players must understand that proficiency at high school tennis is a full year endeavor.

“I have suggested that those who are serious about improving their
tennis game, should play in USTA tournaments through out the year,” said Miller.

2006 Scotch Plains Girls Tennis Preview

In only her second year as Scotch Plains Fanwood girls’ tennis coach, Sandra Miller
realizes she faces an uphill climb to bring her program back to prominence, but Miller is enthusiastic that the team is headed in the right direction.

With only two players from the 2005 starting lineup that finished 10-7-1,
the Raiders opened up with losses to Montville and Roselle Park but have bounced back to take two out of three, losing only to Westfield, the state’s sixth ranked team.

“We are starting to show some progress, but we have a long way to go,” said Miller.

“This year is a building year .I will be looking to our experienced players to help the younger ones who can add depth to our team.”

The biggest graduation loss was Carly Heinz, who played first singles the past two seasons

“Carly is a big loss, Her game level was above all of those on our team,” said Miller.

“She was our only Varsity player who played USTA tournaments year round, which helped her to stay match tough for our high school matches,” added Miller.

After successfully playing doubles the past two years, the team’s two returning starters, senior co-captains Kiara Thomas and Jaci Lopez have moved to the unfamiliar territory of second and third singles respectively and have encountered the same growing pains as much of the team.

“Jaci and Kiara are missing each other this year. They are relieved to be playing side by side for their matches. They both encourage each other to play their best,” said Miller.

In her straight set loss to Roselle Park, Miller opined “Jaci ran out of steam. Maybe she was looking for her partner.”

Thomas also lost that day in straight sets but Miller was encouraged how much her play improved in the second set, calling a “very positive sign”.

Miller’s top player, Junior Kathleen Yan, vaulted past Thomas and Lopez to gain the first singles slot, even though she had limited varsity experience as a sophomore last year.

“She is a sure and steady player who has had to learn about match play this year. She is learning to add power to her consistent game,” noted Miller.

The coach is enthusiastic about talented freshman Alexandra Szczuka, who is playing first doubles with sophomore Sahrula Kubie.

“Alex is showing all of us what hitting an angle really means,” said Miller.

“Both Sahrula and Alex are learning the art of doubles and should make a great team soon and for sure in the next year or two.”

Juniors Rachel Kreyer and Courtney Bifani have played most of the matches at second doubles, where freshman Neha Pannuri and Junior Maya Robinson have also shared time.

”Neha has the tenacity to win matches, and with some experience should
be a competitive tennis player in the next few years,” said Miller.

Before becoming head coach Miller coached the Junior Varsity for three years, Miller a certified Teaching Pro and life long player, has helped develop many of the current players on the varsity and also coached the Boy's team last spring.

Janice White, who teaches tennis during the summer, has taken over as Junior Varsity coach.

The Raiders will be competing today and tomorrow in the Union County Tournament.

“This will be a great chance for our girls to gain big match experience,” said Miller.

2006 Cranford Boys Tennis Review

The 2006 Cranford Boys Tennis Team and first year Coach, Bill Prisco could not have been happy to see the season conclude. The Cougars were playing their best tennis at the end of the spring, having won ten of their last twelve matches, including a satisfying 4-1 victory over rival Scotch Plains Fanwood. That triumph avenged an earlier season loss to the Raiders by the same score and underscored the Cougars’ relentless improvement.

Overall Cranford finished 16-6, which also included a 3-2 victory over Nutley in the opening round of the state tournament. The Cougars’ season ended with a 5-0 loss to the state’s number one team, Millburn in the second round but that could not nullify the teams’ strong finish.

“We turned our program around in the second half of the season. You could see that the team was playing with a lot more confidence. They started to believe in themselves,” said Prisco.

“Another bright spot was winning a round in the state tournament. We showed we could handle the pressure of the state tournament. No team was going to beat Millburn this season.”

“The Union County Tournament was a very good experience for the entire

team because they got a good opportunity to see some very

good tennis players. It gives them .something to work towards.

In his first season, Prisco felt fortunate to be able to have an experienced group of seniors

for the three singles slots.

Justin Grand faced the opposition’s top player on first singles but always came through with a competitive effort according to Prisco. Bogden Lysikov held down second singles and won many key matches.

Senior Steve Milwicz was one of the top third singles players in the county, posting a 15-4 mark and finishing fourth in the county tournament. Milwicz’ older brother Matt, a 2002 graduate played varsity tennis for Rutgers.

Junior Jesse Hynes and Senior Tom Gessner were dominant on first doubles compiling a 12-4 mark. Sophomore Craig Palmisano and Freshman Alec Compagna did a solid job in their first year together at second doubles and figure to either move up to first doubles or play singles next year..

“The most important part of the tennis season is those next nine months. I hope that the boys will work hard in the off-season to try and raise their level. Of play,” said Prisco.

With heavy graduation losses, Prisco knows that 2007 will be a challenging year for the Cougars but he looks forward to rebuilding the squad.

“All the positions are open for the taking. next year ,” noted Prisco.

“The team is basically in a rebuilding mode and all the players are about the same in ability. except for Jesse Hynes who will probably play first singles