to be building, leaves
coaches optimistic
Interest in sport seems
to be building, leaves
coaches optimistic
By wayne witkowski
Staff Writer
It has not been an easy road for coach Gene Monahan since he started the Brick Memorial High School girls’ tennis team 22 years ago.
However, after finishing a 3-15 season, Monahan exudes greater optimism for next fall and the start of what could be an upswing for the Mustangs.
"We had a lot of girls come out this year, so many that we had to start a junior varsity [team]," said Monahan. "That’s the first time we had that happen. It’s a great sign."
There were eight girls on varsity and 11 on the new junior varsity team, coached by Jason Bloom.
"It helps the team when you have younger players playing singles all the time," said Monahan. "All of the other schools we played have jayvee teams."
It presents a pleasant dilemma for Monahan, who has had seasons where he had trouble filling the lineup with capable players.
"The problem next year is that we could have 10 seniors and we’ll have younger players who will get a chance to play," he said.
The only players graduating are first singles player Kaitlin Friedrich and second doubles starter Caitlin Hermida.
The situation could encourage many veteran players to work harder during the off-season, and may encourage some to enter the Ocean County singles tournament and NJSIAA tournament next season.
"We don’t have a lot of girls who start playing tennis young, like they do in soccer and other sports here," said Monahan. "Most never played until high school and don’t get [outside] lessons. We don’t have the really good tennis athletes like the elite teams in Toms River do, but they do work hard. We have to get them to work during the summer."
What also makes it hard is that the school, unlike many others in the Shore Conference, does not have tennis courts on the grounds, and players have to travel to Ocean County Park for practice and home matches.
Nevertheless, the keener student interest showed in the greater number of students at tryouts this fall. Brick Memorial could be a more formidable opponent in the future, especially if second singles player Lisa Gorski continues to blossom.
Monahan said Gorski was the "most improved" player on the team after moving up from second doubles. She had a team-leading seven victories.
"She did a good job. She’s quick and hits the ball hard," said Monahan.
Megan Luckey, a junior, was pressed into third singles when the projected starter there decided not to play just days before the start of the season.
Juniors Loren Siegel and Leslie Douma had many competitive matches in first doubles, although one of them could move into a singles spot if none of the reserves or players from the junior varsity team emerge. Kim Lyons, a sophomore who played first singles on the jayvee and doubles on the varsity, is a singles candidate for next season.
"They were very aggressive at the net," said Monahan of his doubles tandem of Siegel and Douma. "Loren was very quick and Leslie played the ball well."
Hermida was accompanied in second doubles by junior newcomer Alana Gerrity. Junior Christine Anderson and freshman Alisha Evans, a junior varsity starter, could be solid prospects for next season.
Monahan also admired the determination of Friedrich in first singles, who moved up from the No. 3 spot a year ago.
"She hustled, worked hard and kept the ball in play," said Monahan.
Although she won only three matches, Friedrich made her opponents press for points. Monahan hopes that drive rubs off on the returning players for what could be a promising season next fall.