HHS girls’ tennis team aiming for states

1-2 singles players back in position

By: Rudy Brandl
   
   With six of last year’s top seven players returning, the Hillsborough High girls’ tennis team should be primed for a winning season.
   Second-year head coach Sylvia Scozzari watched her young troops mature and develop last fall. The girls put together a late winning streak and finished the campaign with a 9-9 record, although it was too late to qualify for the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs.
   Making the states is definitely an attainable goal for this year’s team, which opened the 2002 season with matches vs. Bridgewater-Raritan and Phillipsburg this week. The Raiders will play at Watchung Hills tomorrow afternoon.
   "I’m hoping our record is going to be better than last year," Scozzari said. "The team has grown and so have I. It was my first year as head coach and I’ve learned a lot. We just missed the states last year and we’re definitely looking to make it this year."
   The Raiders have their 1-2 singles punch back in order this year, with junior Katie Merriam and senior Catherine Kinrade returning to lead the team. Sophomore Erin Aiello steps up from doubles to take over at third singles.
   While Scozzari’s singles lineup is set, she might still do some juggling with the doubles players. Seniors Jen Wagner and Sara Lavell and junior Carolyn Chen return from last year, while freshman Cristel Arribe joins the varsity cast. Those four players will make up the two doubles teams in some fashion.
   "We’re working on the right combination," Scozzari said. "You want to put your best teams out there. I want both doubles teams to be competitive."
   Scozzari has been happy with the development of her singles players. All three spent a lot of time on the court during the summer and should be able to produce winning records.
   Merriam finished 9-9 in her first season at the top spot last year. With a little more confidence and aggressive play, Merriam could become a force this fall.
   "Katie is working on her transition game and coming to the net," Scozzari said. "She’s got a solid forehand and she’s moving the ball around on her serve. She has more confidence now and she doesn’t agonize over a missed hit or an error. Katie’s become quite a leader."
   Kinrade has solid strokes and is still improving in the mental part of the game.
   "Catherine is working on strategy and hitting the ball where the opponent’s not," Scozzari said. "She did a lot over the summer and she’s also been a great leader."
   There are always questions when a young player graduates from doubles to singles. Scozzari isn’t concerned about Aiello’s move to the No. 3 spot.
   "She’s got a great game," Scozzari said. "She likes playing singles and she has a singles game. She plays a lot of tennis and she’s got really great strokes. We’re working on her confidence and placing the ball a little bit more."
   It’s quite an honor to make the top seven in this program, since Scozzari had to cut 14 players from the original 36 who came out for the sport. The other 15 players will compete on the jayvee squad and assistant coach Mihn Dang.
   The varsity and jayvee teams train together. Dang, whom Scozzari called "a great assistant," runs the routine of agility and running drills prior to each practice session.
   While this year’s team will continue to mature, more young players are coming up through the ranks. Many youngsters are playing tennis these days in Hillsborough, so Scozzari should continue to see talented players at the high school level. The Raiders haven’t won a title since 1997, but they may be heading back in that direction.
   "We have a lot of girls coming up and the future looks good," Scozzari said. "I think we’re going to come in underestimated this year. We’re going to go out there and do it on the court. We’re going to spin some heads."