Hopewell Valley girls tennis
By: John E. Powers
For the second straight year, the Hopewell Valley Central High School girls tennis team found Manasquan an immovable object in the Central Jersey Group III tournament. The Lady Bulldogs, the top seed in the tournament, were eliminated by the fourth seed 5-0 in the section semifinals at Timberlane Middle School on Tuesday afternoon.
The Lady Bulldogs, who are still after a Colonial Valley Conference Patriot Division title, fell to Manasquan last year on a Har-Tru court surface, and the Lady Bulldogs were looking to avenge the loss.
But it didn’t happen. Manasquan, 14-2, had beaten Princeton 5-0 in the quarterfinals.
"It’s disappointing, but things happen for a reason, and we lost to a very good team," Hopewell coach Alma Quinlan said. "Now we can set our sights on the CVC and winning the Patriot Division. We still have a lot of outstanding accomplishments."
Manasquan was led by freshman Tahlia Smoke at first singles. Smoke recently made the quarterfinals of the state singles tournament and improved to 15-0 on the season with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Hopewell freshman Melissa Drewry.
"She had everything in her repertoire," Quinlan said. "She had good top spin and a great slice, and she plays a great small game. She’s a nice player."
Both the second and third singles needed first-set tiebreakers, which both went in favor of the Manasquan players. Danielle Morse and Mansi Shah won only two games apiece.
Junior Gretchen Amberg at second singles beat Morse 7-6, 6-2. Morse beat Amberg last year in the first singles game.
"I knew they were going to be good and that we had to play the best tennis we possibly could," Quinlan said. "I don’t know if we were prepared. We’ve played so many teams that we’ve beaten easily. We lost to a better team. It was obvious in their net play and their percentage of first serves. I congratulate them on a good win."
Shah fell to Dana Tausek 7-6 (8-2), 6-2 at third singles.
"It’s hard coming back after losing in a tiebreaker," Quinlan said.
Before the Manasquan game, Morse and Shah were undefeated in team play. Hopewell’s doubles teams were impressed with their opponent’s strong serving, quickness and especially their net play.
At first doubles, Danielle Keith and Stephanie Chapin were down 0-3, but won the next four games against Robin Morris and Megan Fechten. But they couldn’t hold the lead, falling 6-4, 6-2. At second doubles, Fenna Leijten and Carly Levin also had their undefeated seasons spoiled, losing 6-3, 6-2 to Chase Fitzsimmons and Hayley McNeel.
The Lady Bulldogs advanced to the section semifinals on a 4-1 win over Nottingham as Drewry and Morse won at first and second singles. Senior Brienne Cignarella played at third singles and had to retire because of a cramping in her calve. She lost the first set 6-4 and was behind 5-2 in the second when she had to retire. Chapin and Keith won 6-2, 6-3 at first doubles, while Levin and Leijten won 6-4, 6-4 at second.