Chargers look to repeat as Blue Division champs
Tennis team returning a number of players from last year’s 17-3 squad
Coach John Cochran had ample reason to look forward to this year’s girls tennis campaign.
His Spotswood High School netters, last fall’s undefeated champions of the Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division (who went 17-3 overall), have lost two starters from the 2000 team.
But there is plenty of strength on the courts to show for the current season.
"Our strength is overall balance between the singles and doubles teams," said Cochran, whose Chargers opened the season on Sept. 7 against St. Peter’s of New Brunswick.
Starting things off at first singles is junior Florence Kemelman, a "powerful player," according to her coach, who contrasts her style with that of second singles starter Guia Adiao, a senior.
"Her game has more emphasis on finesse and skill," he said.
Cochran notes that at this point, the third singles slot is up in the air, with junior Elizabeth Bartell battling it out with senior Tara McCarthy. Whoever comes out second will drop down to first doubles.
The rest of the doubles contingent consists of a pool including junior Erin Remus, sophomore Christina Cella, and juniors Stacy Orvetz, Lisa Litwinski, Giselle Gabriel and Jeanine Michelsen.
The coach said that this year’s team will bring a fresh combination of experience and youth, which could result in a season similar to last year’s.
"We also have some sophomore newcomers," added Cochran, referring to the trio of Allison Scott, Kierstin Gilles and Dana Macaro.
And Cochran’s confident that the newcomers will present a challenge to his returning players and hopes that will make the team stronger as the season progresses.
Asked about team goals, Cochran is right to the point.
"We’d like to defend our Blue Division championship," he said.
And with the success of last year still fresh in many of their minds, look for the Spotswood girls to revert to their championship form. Once you’ve been to the top, it makes you work that much harder to get back.