By paul salus
Staff Writer
A year ago, the Rumson-Fair Haven boys’ tennis team finished the year 19-4, 12-0 in Class B Central, and once again established itself as one of the premier programs in the Shore Conference.
This time around, the Bulldogs face a stiffer challenge, moving up to a Class A Central division that includes the likes of Manasquan and Colts Neck, leaving longtime head coach Don Russell guessing as to what his team is capable of this year.
"We have a lot of new people in new positions," he said. "We lost one of our first doubles players to graduation, and things are going to be a lot different this year. There are so many people in different positions, I really don’t know what to expect.
"Andrew Miller [a senior] is the only person returning in the same position as last year in the first doubles spot. Everyone else is being asked to step it up and adapt to their new surroundings."
Based on Russell’s 20-year track record at RFH, it’s a safe bet to assume the Bulldogs will adapt rather nicely and have another strong season.
"I’m not going to make any predictions as far as our place in the conference or in the states," Russell said. "I don’t know what will happen. We can just play the best we can every day we’re on the court, and we’ll be respectable.
"We have five guys returning with some experience after we finished fourth in the conference last year, and hopefully we can bring some of that success over to this season."
One thing Russell is sure of is his team’s depth, which is something coaches throughout the Shore will surely be envious of this year.
"We’ve got a 13-person roster on the varsity alone right now, and everyone on the team has the potential to make a move in the lineup," Russell said. "It’s a long season, and we have a lot of depth."
Juniors Pete Van Deventer and Greg Rodilosso are the team’s first two singles players, while Greg’s brother, Chris, a freshman, has been the big surprise of the season, stepping right up to the first doubles spot in only his first year.
"Chris is the third Rodilosso I’ve coached, and he has a lot of talent," Russell said. "He’s going to form into a nice tennis player."
Among the other players Russell is planning to filter through the lineup are senior John Kelly, as well as junior Brendan Smith and freshman Corey Cummins.
Russell is one of the best teaching coaches in the Shore, and is looking forward to working with this year’s team. However, he stresses that any improvement his team shows over the course of the year will be the result of his players’ hard work and dedication to the sport.
"I don’t think my 20 years of experience will help the team perform at all," he said. "The bottom line is the kids have to play well. They’re good kids, very coachable, and open to suggestion and direction. They work hard in practice, and I’ve been happy with their performance and overall work ethic.
"It’s a funny sport — you can see a kid get so much better in one year’s time," he added. "We keep it light, and whatever happens, happens. Many of the kids surprise me and turn it on, and become terrific tennis players."
Looking ahead to a loaded schedule, Russell is anxious to see where his team ranks up there with the best in the Shore.
"Supposedly Marlboro has one of the best players in the state coming in as a freshman (John Boym), so we have that to compete with," he said. "Ocean is always a good team, and we’re sure to have some battles with them as well."
But as always, Russell’s squad will take it one match at a time, starting with Monday’s match with new division rival Colts Neck at 3:45 p.m.