For the 2006 Scotch Plains Fanwood Boys Tennis Team the season could be 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 first singles champion but the rest of the season was far less successful as injuries took their toll on the young team which finished 10-10.
Sophomore Ryan Krueger took over the first singles spot from his graduated brother Jason and quickly stamped himself as a formidable replacement. Krueger would wind up 19-4 against challenging opposition and advanced to the second round of the State Individual Tournament before losing to Kevin Shallcross of Westfield.
“After placing 2nd place as a freshman, I realized that the competition would be even greater this year. I was working really hard all summer and through the winter playing tennis 5-7 days a week having my trainer in between lessons with my coach and practicing with my father,” said Krueger.
Like the team, Krueger saved his best tennis for the Union County Tournament.
Coming in as the third seed, Krueger avenged an earlier season defeat by dispatching second seeded David Richards of Summit in the semi finals that morning and fourth seeded Ravi Netravali of Westfield in the finals.
Krueger became the first Raider player since Arjun Viswanathan in 1995 to win the title. The only other Raider champion was Jeff Miller, a three time champion between 1969-71.
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Krueger, who lost to Shallcross in the second singles finals last year, credited his sterling performances to eliminating mistakes in his game and showing more patience.
“My goal against both players was to keep the ball in play as long as possible and not make unforced errors,” said Krueger.
“Ryan played some of his best tennis at the Union Counties, I think perhaps having three weeks of match play before the counties helped Ryan become match tough. He seemed to have the mental edge while playing at the Counties this year,” said Miller.
Krueger added another victory over Richards in the state tournament in addition to regular season victories against top players Chris Wu of Bridgewater and Kevin Chen of New Providence, Krueger’s predecessor as first singles champion.
“I played some really tough matches this year and succeeded in many of them,” said Krueger.
“Overall, I am very pleased with my performance this season and I improved tremendously.”
Krueger and fellow sophomore Scott Leyden were the only returning starters, which made first year coach Sandra Miller’s job more challenging.
Injuries to Leyden and first doubles player Mike DeVizio forced Miller to change the lineup, which weakened the team.
Missing the two players hampered the Raiders in an opening loss to Voorhees.
Seniors Ron Stein and Dave Ginsberg provided consistent play at second doubles and were great team leaders according to Miller.
“They never gave up on a point and always found a way to get another ball back over
the net,” said Miller said of the duo that battled to fourth place in the Union County Tournament.
DeVizio, an exceptional soccer talent, used his speed and athleticism to combine with another sophomore Ted Rosenblatt to finish fourth in the county at first doubles. The duo, Krueger and Leyden form a solid nucleus for the next two years.
“We had a very good season this year, and with a young team, we have only to go up from here,” said Miller.
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