MHS tennis qualifies again
By: Ken Weingartner
The Monroe High boys tennis team might not have won many matches at the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament last weekend, but that doesn’t mean the trip was a loss.
Coach Jim Kushner was pleased with the play of his squad, and the strong efforts seemed to carry over into the regular-season schedule. The Falcons returned to action with a pair of 4-1 victories over South Amboy and Colonia, and in the process qualified for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II team tourney.
Ariel Stern, at first singles, posted a first-round win in the GMCT, beating Metuchen’s Andrew Black, 6-2, 6-1. Frank Senatore, at third singles, won a preliminary match over a Colonia foe who defeated him earlier this year.
In addition, the Falcons’ first doubles team of Kyle Bossard and Ryan Septak came within two points of upsetting St. Joseph while the second doubles squad of Tal Falk and Marcelo Henriques dropped a three-set match to Edison. Paul Greim had a competitive match at second singles.
"We lost some very close matches and came close to some upsets," Kushner said. "We played very well."
Stern’s first-round win was a shot of redemption. Last year in the GMCT, Stern dropped a preliminary match to Black, 11-9. Stern was leading 9-8, 40-0, before mishitting a smash that would have ended the contest. He unraveled from there. He went to work on his mental approach after that match.
"The best players are mentally fit for the game." Stern said.
Following their performance at the GMCT, the Falcons continued with strong play.
"We’ve played erratically all year long," Kushner said. "Good, bad, good, bad. At the GMC we competed at a high level. We put ourselves in position to win, and you can only do that by increasing competitive spirit."
Monroe has qualified for the state sectional team tournament for three consecutive years.
"It’s nice," Kushner said. "It feels good. It’s been a struggle, but we did it."
With the victory over Colonia, Monroe improved to 4-3 in the GMC White Division. Kushner hopes the momentum gained by the Falcons will prove the struggles are in the past.
"Hopefully, that would be the case," he said. "Our division is very competitive. There’s probably four teams in contention for the division title, and I include ourselves in that. The level of play is pretty consistent. Every match is going to be close. I can see each match going 3-2 the rest of the way. Which way those matches go will be determined by who plays better that day."
And these days, the Falcons like their chances.