Hopewell Valley boys tennis
By: John E. Powers
The Hopewell Valley Central High School boys tennis team surprised some people by edging West Windsor-Plainsboro North last year to win the Colonial Valley Conference Patriot Division title. Head coach Alma Quinlan’s team might not surprise anybody this year, because maybe just maybe they might be even better.
The Bulldogs, 14-4 overall last year and 12-3 in division play, opened the season with 5-0 romps over Allentown and Trenton. Those results, unlike the Bulldogs’ rise to prominence last year, were expected.
The team lost Rohit Singh, who played at No. 1 doubles and No. 2 player David Rose, who was also the team captain. The doubles team of Will Fassbender and Eric Fengler also graduated. Those losses, Quinlan believes, should be covered.
"I like coming in under the radar," said Quinlan, now in her fourth year as boys’ head coach. "The word is out. I don’t think people realized how good we were going to be and then we went 10-0 to start last year."
The Bulldogs have their No. 1 player back in junior Matt McGranaghan, who was 14-5 last year at first singles. And then there’s sophomore Aubrey Holmes, who has moved up from third singles to second. Last year he was 17-3. A huge addition is at third singles, where sophomore and former lacrosse player Steve Deitchman has established himself as a very strong tennis player.
Deitchman was 2-0 in singles play last year after switching over from lacrosse. The youngster had to make a switch in sports because doctors advise he do it after he suffered four concussions.
"Steve has really stepped it up he has been so motivated," Quinlan said. "He was nine or 10 on the ladder last year. But he has made significant improvement. I’m happy to have him. He’s a great kid."
First doubles looks like it’ll be held down by senior captain Peter Murr and junior Alex Sheidler. Sophomore Dan McGruther and junior Jeff Drake are playing at No. 2. Sophomore Ben Sheng is another player that Quinlan believes could be a contributor after an offseason of significant improvement.
"He’s really stuck with it and has really improved," Quinlan said. "He was like No. 11 or 12 on the varsity ladder, but he’s another kid who has really worked at it and moved up. He’s really been motivated."
Quinlan thinks the team could make another run like last year with the likes of her top three.
"Matt is a solid No. 1, and Aubrey is really a solid No. 2 he’s really adapted his game to singles," Quinlan said. "He’s out-powering, out-steadying and outrunning his opponents. Steve is a great athlete, and he’s so motivated. He doesn’t like to lose. It’ll be interesting to see how the doubles teams jell."
Other players who’ll contribute are sophomore Blake McArthur, senior Kevin Mitchell, sophomore Dan Reichman and senior John Welsh.
The team is scheduled to play at Pennington today.

