Despite posting one of their best seasons in recent years, the Scotch Plains Fanwood Tennis team was unable to climb past their neighborhood rival Westfield, which left the Raiders players and coaches thinking of what could have been.
The Raiders suffered two losses to Westfield in compiling a 15-6 record and placed all five players into the semi final round of the Union County tournament, finishing third behind the first place Blue Devils and second place Summit. Scotch Plains Fanwood qualified for the Group 3 tournament as the fifth seed and lost in the first round to West Morris-Mendham 4-1.
“I was happy how the season ended,” said second year Coach Mark Cunnington.
“I wish we could have gone a little further in the state tournament, but my guys competed for me all year, We came back strong against Westfield and almost nipped them!”
Senior first singles and co-captain Jason Krueger swept his two matches against Westfield but the Blue Devils were able to prevail 4-1 and 3-2 respectively.
“The one team that we wanted to beat this year was Westfield and I wanted to make sure that I was able to add a win to the Scotch Plains side,” said Krueger, who will attend Cornell next fall.
“Unfortunately we lost both matches, but the second match came down to a third set in second doubles.”
Krueger, a four-year starter finished with a 16-7 record on first singles and benefited from the tutelage of Cunnington, a formerly nationally ranked player.
“Coach Cunnington was very helpful and enthusiastic the entire season. He was always optimistic, and the support he gave to each of us certainly helped everyone's game. During every practice, he made us work hard to get ready for the next match ,” said Krueger.
“He helped me become a smarter player. I learned a lot from watching him play and he taught me to relax more during matches.”
Cunnington also had the benefit of Krueger’s freshman brother Ryan, who easily made the transition to high school competition by posting an 18-6 record on second singles and
had the best Raider performance in the Union county Tournament, finishing second.
The Raiders were spectacular in the first two rounds of the county tournament and joined six time defending champion Summit as the only teams with their entire team intact.
But the Hilltoppers won three of four head to head matches to derail Scotch Plains Fanwood.
In addition to the Krueger brothers and senior third singles John Altman (15-6), the Raiders had two solid doubles teams. First doubles included senior all county soccer player and co-captain Billy Albizati who teamed with fellow senior Jeremy Sanders for an 18-6 record and qualified for the state tournament.. On second doubles another all county soccer player, Greg Leischner teamed with freshman Scott Leyden for a 20-4 mark.
Cunnington will have to rebuild next year with only his two freshmen returning but is confident the momentum will continue.
“My bench has stepped up all year and I believe will fill in nicely.”
Wednesday, June 1, 2005
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