Sophomore helps Cougars advance to CJ II semifinals
By: Justin Feil
Holly Clare made a goal of being a bigger contributor for the Montgomery High girls’ tennis team this season, and she’s followed through like a perfect backhand.
The Cougar sophomore won in straight sets as MHS advanced to the Central Jersey Group II semifinals with a 5-0 win over Somerville on Thursday. A year ago, Clare was fighting to just be in the lineup, now she’s a regular.
Clare, who moved into the third singles spot for the Cougars this season, played up at second singles Thursday because of an injury to first singles’ Stacey Kalinina that kept her out until the state singles tournament Saturday.
"We did know what to expect because we’ve played them before," said Johnson, whose team is 11-2 after then losing to Somerville on Friday when he rested Clare and the regular lineup. "They were playing without their No. 1 also, so it bumped everyone up for them."
Lucky for Clare’s opponent. She got to play maybe the most improved singles player on a strong MHS team that travels to No. 2 seed Manasquan, a 3-2 winner over Rumson, for a 3:45 p.m. match today. Clare can’t wait for the expected tougher challenge for the Cougars.
"It’s going to be a really tough match," she said. "They’re seeded higher than us in states. We need everyone to play their best. Before hand, the bus ride is going to be interesting. Once I get on the court it will be much easier."
So far, however, Clare hasn’t shown any nerves though she’s in a completely new role. A year ago, Clare was what Johnson called a "platooning doubles player, if that." This year Clare has been nothing but steady at third singles.
Her win Thursday improved her season record to 12-2, with both losses coming to Watchung Hills.
"They’ve all been good matches this year," the 15-year-old Clare said. "A lot of my games have been going to deuces, so they’ve been good matches. Maybe mentally I have a little edge. Overall, this season’s been really good.
"I don’t have anything to complain about. Even if the player I am playing isn’t very strong, I try hard. Regardless of the level of the player, you try to play your best against everybody."
Clare has amazed Johnson with her ability to do so even as she continues to show improvement with each match.
"The second time she played the girl from Watchung, it goes to show, the second time was nothing like the first time she played her," Johnson said. "She was in the match the whole time. That’s the way it’s been. I can see the way she’s improved. Her mental game, it just keeps improving. Once her head gets all the way there, she’s going to be scary."
Few would bet against it. Clare put her mind to being a bigger part of the team and she’s done just that. It’s a realization of a goal she made for herself last year. After appearing in just seven doubles matches last season, she put it on her own shoulders to make sure she was a more valuable member of the MHS squad.
"I remember last year one of my goals for this season was to play a singles spot," she said. "I just improved that much over the winter season to do that. I was really happy I did it.
"I just focused when I had lessons at the (Princeton Tennis Program). I tried to learn something new every day that would help me for this season. I did a high school training camp for two weeks with Alice Leon with PTP. It was more for conditioning so I could play for three hours when I started the season. It was for getting me mentally tough."
Johnson can see the development in Clare’s game, and has welcomed her surprising jump into the starting lineup. It’s made the Cougars stronger, strong enough, they hope, to knock off top-seeded Holmdel on Thursday should both teams advance that far.
"We’re really good, I think," Clare said. "Stacey’s been a real asset to the team. And Shiho, playing second, that’s really good for her. Our doubles teams have been phenomenal. Everyone in general’s been great. We’re much stronger in general. Because the team is that much stronger, we hope to get a little farther. It’d be great to win states, but we’d like to at least have a good match against Manasquan."
Clare will be a factor in the match. Montgomery has been able to count on its rising star, and Johnson doesn’t foresee that changing any time soon.
"She just gets better and more confident every time she plays," he said. "I think it’s a really big learning year for her, in figuring out how to play and how to beat people. She’s had the talent and been able to hit the ball hard. Now she’s learning how to win matches. I knew she’d been hitting all summer. I knew she’d be strong. I knew she’d be highly competitive. I didn’t know she improved to the level she has."

