When Sue Allen stepped down after thirty-five years as Scotch Plains Fanwood High School Girls’ Tennis coach this year, it was an easy choice to elevate Sandra Miller into the top post. As Junior Varsity coach the past three years, Miller a certified Teaching Pro and life long player, has helped develop many of the current players on the varsity and also coaches the Junior Varsity Boy's team at Watchung Regional High in the spring.
Miller welcomes the challenge of continuing the teams’ steady progress over the past four years with the team improving each year from 11-9 in 2001 to 15-5 last year. Many of the seniors who contributed to the success have graduated but the new coach is fortunate to have the top player a year ago, senior Carly Heinz patrolling first singles.
“Carly's game level is above all of those on our team,” said Miller.
“She is our only Varsity player who plays USTA tournaments year round, which helps her to stay match tough for our high school matches,” said Miller.
“I consider the strengths of my game to be my mental game and my footwork. I will win points that other people won't because I run all over the court to return the ball. I just keep working to try and improve my whole game, so can work to make my game more complete,” said Heinz.
“I think that we do have a tough challenge this year in keeping our upward progress. It looks like next year will be even more challenging. My singles players are the only returning starters,” added Miller.
“The doubles teams still need to play matches to overcome their nerves”
Courtney Burke is playing second singles and is a pleasure to coach according to Miller.
“She always looks for me during changeovers, is always upbeat,
smiling and takes direction well.”
Liza Katz, who teamed with Miller’s daughter Cara Hurley last year on first doubles has moved up to third singles. Katz, a senior at the Magnet School, and Hurley were All Watchung Conference Team last year.
Shannon Gomes the second singles player last year is still struggling to find her form
this year after spending the summer abroad.
“She has flashes of her old game and with a little more practice I think she will be able to challenge our singles girls and be in the starting line up ,” said Miller.
The first doubles team of seniors Katie Devlin and Alyssa Markovits is a work in progress according to Miller.
“They play well together and are still working on their volleys , their
nerves and their match toughness. They should have a good year .”
Juniors Jaci Lopez and Kiara Thomas are the current second doubles team.
“Kiara has an awesome first serve and we are working on
creating an awesome second serve. Jaci spent the summer at tennis camp
and has improved her game. She is still terrified at the net, which is
not a good thing for a doubles player. My challenge this year is to help
all my doubles players love serve and volley tennis ,” said Miller.
Freshman, Sahrula Kubie and sophomore Kathleen Yan have shown great improvement and are pushing the starters.
At press time, the team had split its first two matches, bouncing back from an opening 4-1 loss to Oak Knoll by blanking Cranford 5-0. The first big test of the year is
the Union County Tournament which has been moved up this year and began yesterday and continues today
Miller will use her starting line up and doubts if the Raiders will be one of the top seeded teams for the event. But Heinz is confident that the team will step up.
“I expect to do well in the Union County Tournament this year. Also, I expect myself to just get out on the court and work as hard as I can to be my best.,” said Heinz.
“I expect that the team will work their hardest and just give it their all this year. I am confident we will succeed in whatever we do.”
Thursday, September 15, 2005
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