E.B.’s Subramanian returns as area’s top tennis player
Bears look to build
solid team around
super sophomore
It’s a new look for the East Brunswick High School boys’ tennis team, which opens the season April 3 against Moorestown.
"There isn’t a senior on the team, so we’re very young," said Coach Bill Pellagrino, whose Bears went 22-3 last spring.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of talent, starting with sophomore first singles star Vivek Subramanian, last year’s Greater Middlesex Conference singles champion, who made it to round 16 of the state individuals.
"He’s a great all-around player, very quick with a strong forehand and backhand," said Pellagrino.
Everyone in the local tennis community is expecting great things from Subramanian, as he has improved his strength and consistency since last season.
Subramanian expects to repeat as GMC champion, but would like to improve on his postseason performance of last year. This time around the super-sophomore will have some experience under his belt, which should go a long way toward helping him conquer some of the finest players in the state.
Another soph, Jay Kaplan, is the number two singles player — a solid baseline performer with fine strokes and an excellent serve. At number three is freshman Ilya Kazakin-Kuteyev.
Pellagrino likes what he has seen from the freshman, and recognizes that he has some definite potential.
"He doesn’t have a lot of power, but he’s a great baseline player with great strokes," said Pellagrino.
There may be some shuffling at doubles, with junior Jonathan Cohn and his freshman brother Ross as one possible combo, along with junior Vinayak Haridas, and sophs Patrick Bell and David Liu.
"They’re all very close in ability," Pellagrino said.
Although there remains some uncertainty concerning the Bears’ lineup, they should be very competitive this season, particularly since they should get an automatic win at first singles in just about every match they enter.
But the remainder of the team will need to improve over the course of the season if the Bears want to compete for a division title, or more.
Following the opening match against Moorestown, the Bears will face St. Joseph’s April 5 at Middlesex County College, before taking on Edison April 8.