By: Al Wicklund
Al WicklundStaff Writer
The Monroe Township High School girls tennis team scored its first win and Kaitlyn Schobert ran her record at first singles to 4-1 in the past week.
The Falcons, who opened their season with three postponements and a one-point loss to South Plainfield two weeks ago, broke into the win column with a 4-1 decision over Sayreville.
In other matches, Monroe lost to South Brunswick, 4-1, Friday, Sept. 21; North Brunswick, 4-1, Monday; and Bishop Ahr, 5-0, Tuesday
The team also had one more postponement when the Sept. 20 Colonia match was weathered out.
Monroe, now at 1-4, was scheduled to play Perth Amboy at home 3:45 p.m. today (Friday)
Barring schedule changes, the Falcons will have a busy time next week meeting Kennedy and Spotswood at home, Monday and Tuesday respectively, and Colonia on the road, Wednesday. Then, the Greater Middlesex Conference team tournament opens Friday, Oct 5.
Schobert suffered her first defeat of the season in first singles against Bishop Ahr, losing to Ahr’s Debbie Sunga, 6-1, 6-2.
Schobert, a junior who played third singles last year, had entered the Bishop Ahr match with a four-match win streak.
Monroe Coach Trudy Marmorek said Schobert showed what a competitor she is in the North Brunswick match where she lost the first set and came back to win.
"Kaitlyn was down love-three in the second set when she rallied to win two straight sets and the match," the coach said.
Marmorek, pleased with the season’s bright spots Schobert’s play, the team’s effort and the win over Sayreville said the bulk of her team’s 21-match (not counting tournaments) schedule lies ahead.
"It’s still a long season, and we look to improve," she said.
In the win over Sayreville, Monroe swept the singles with Schobert, senior Meredith Blumenstock, playing second singles and No. 3 singles player Leah Solebello, also a senior, picking up the singles points.
Freshman Robin Romm and sophomore Surina Patel teamed to win at second doubles.
The coach is looking forward to the rest of the season and, hopefully a more stable schedule.
"The team is working hard. That’s a plus," Marmorek said.
