Sectional final appearances please MHS, WW-PS

Cougars lose to Rumson, Pirates fall to PHS

By: Justin Feil
   In advancing to their respective Sectional finals, both the Montgomery High and West Windsor-Plainsboro South boys’ tennis teams bettered last year’s state tournament finishes.
   The Cougars, who bowed out in the Central Jersey Group II semifinals last year with a 5-0 loss at the hands of Rumson-Fair Haven, fell again to Rumson, but with a much more competitive 3-2 score Tuesday.
   "Manasquan was our one common opponent and we won in the same places, so we were hoping the singles might be close and knew the doubles would be pushed," said MHS head coach John Arnold. "We had to play outstanding just to get the wins we got. They were strong top to bottom."
   Eli Katz won a three-set match at third singles and the second doubles team of Garrett Blitz and Chris Collins also won in three sets. Katz won in a third-set tiebreaker. Blitz and Collins won the first and third sets in tiebreakers as MHS fell to 10-2.
   "Second doubles had to play very well to get their match," Arnold said, "and so did Eli. They had to work hard to win. On this day, the better team won. We tried hard though."
   WW-P South also put forth quite an effort before succumbing to defending Group III state champion Princeton High on Tuesday, 5-0. The Pirates, who lost in the CJ IV semifinals last year to Bridgewater-Raritan, actually looked in good shape for a 3-2 win early in the match after taking one set and leading in both doubles flights.
   "It looked like we could have pulled out a 3-2, but it didn’t last," said Pirates head coach Jim Giovacchini, whose team dropped to Group III this season. "Those guys are too good. In the end, they proved to be too good (Tuesday). Everyone came prepared to play. They gave it their best shot. Princeton just played well at every position."
   Benny Gordon-Goldstein was the only WW-PS player to take a set off a PHS player when he won the first set at second singles.
   "When Benny split sets, the team match was already decided and he didn’t have much to play for," Giovacchini said. "When he knew we had zero points, we talked about splitting the point but Nichols wanted to play it out.
   "I was pretty happy with our showing. I couldn’t criticize much. We were in it at second doubles. They got into points where all four were at the net. Their hands were a little quicker. We just couldn’t get a break. We were so close to winning these points. It seemed like at any moment, those close exchanges would start to go our way and it could completely come around. My guys fought really hard."
   It’s just what Giovacchini and Arnold have come to expect from their teams, who did well to reach the sectionals. MHS beat Manasquan, 3-2, while WW-P South upset second-seeded Ocean to reach the sectional final.
   "We sort of knew it was wide open with Holmdel jumping to Group III," Arnold said. "We had hoped to be there. This team reached its potential. I don’t think I could ask for much more. We put together a pretty good season.
   "We still have three (matches) that we have to play. Conference-wise, I think we’ve just about mathematically clinched (the Skyland Raritan Division). We need one more win. It’s still a goal this late in the season, which is nice."
   It would be a feather in the cap for Arnold’s three senior singles players, Katz, Chris Oey and Mike McManus, as well as a good omen to build on for next year’s returners.
   "Chris Oey is filling an important spot," Arnold said. "It’s tough being first singles. He’s really our only singles player in the lineup. Eli and Mike McManus were doubles players last year. They did a good job in moving up. You play with what you have. It’s been a pretty balanced season. This more than any other has been a team effort."
   The Pirates, who have yet to lose a conference match, are also still in pursuit of a Colonial Valley Conference Colonial Division crown. Tuesday’s loss to Princeton was just their first of the season after opening with 14 straight wins. And losing to the Little Tigers certainly doesn’t detract from what’s been an improvement upon last year.
   "When they win the Tournament of Champions," Giovacchini said, "it will ease our pain somewhat. We still have matches with Princeton in the regular season and West Windsor North, but we could end the year with losses to just one team, and that’s not a bad season."
   Actually, in reaching the sectional finals, both Montgomery and WW-P South confirmed it’s been a pretty good season.