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 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.

2006 Scotch Plains Boys Tennis Review

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.

Ryan Krueger wins 2006 Union County Singles title

In a first singles final that would have been incomprehensible just five days earlier, Ryan Krueger of Scotch Plains Fanwood completed a remarkable two days of tennis by routing fellow sophomore Ravi Netravali of Westfield 6-3,6-3 Friday in the Union County tennis finals last Friday at Donald Van Blake Courts in Plainfield.

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 Netravali shocked top seed and defending champion Kevin Chen of New Providence 6-2, 6-4. Normally the Blue Devils’ second singles player, Netravali was pressed into the top spot when Westfield first singles Kevin Shallcross broke his toe in a non tennis accident last Sunday.

Krueger becomes the first Raider player since Arjun Viswanathan in 1995 to win the Esposito trophy, named after the former Scotch Plains Fanwood coach and teacher. The only other Raider champion was Jeff Miller, a three time champion between 1967-9.

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 has a great all around game and is in great condition so it was important for him to have long rallies and make his opponent beat him,” said Raiders’ coach Sandra Miller.

In the finals Krueger took command immediately by breaking Netravali in the first game and broke again in the fifth game for a 4-1 lead. Krueger was especially effective returning Netravali’s strong first serve and hitting an array of powerful deep shots.

“Ravi has a great first serve and it was important for me to make a decent return. That was my focus,” said Krueger

Serving for the set, Krueger lost his serve for the only time in the match but bounced back to break Netravali again and take the set.

“That was the key game,” said Krueger.

“I didn’t want to let him get back to 5-4. It was important to close him out there.”

In the second set, Krueger again took the early lead and continued attacking with his assortment of strokes. At 5-3, Krueger showed no jitters and impressively served out the match at love, finishing the match with a deep forehand that Netravali hit into the net.

“He played a great match and deserved to win” said Netravali.

“He never gave me a chance to get in the match.”

Veteran Westfield Coach George Kapner had nothing but praise for Netravali,

“I knew Ravi would step and play a great tournament for us. He was fantastic against Chen in the semi finals, beating the defending champion,” said Kapner,

“Sometimes a young player has trouble putting two great matches together. This is taking nothing away from Ryan who played a great tournament and is an impressive player,”

Helping Krueger’s cause was older brother Jason, who had played singles for the Raiders between 2002 and 2005. Now a freshman engineering student at Cornell the elder Krueger had driven the 225 miles from Ithaca late Thursday night to help assist his brother.

“Having Jason was a great help. He gave me a lot of great advice and helped me stay focused,” said Ryan Krueger.

And what pearls of wisdom did big brother offer?

“I just told Ryan to believe in your strokes and not try to win the points immediately. The longer the rally the better chance he would win the point,” said Jason Krueger.

“I am very proud of him,”