Freshman unbeaten at first singles
By: Justin Feil
In 20 previous seasons as Princeton Day School’s head boys’ tennis coach, Rome Campbell has had only one freshman at first singles.
David Holland is the second, and he’s proven to be quite a commodity for the Panther boys’ tennis team. Holland is a perfect 5-0 for PDS, which improved to 4-1 with a 5-0 win over Allentown on Friday.
"David is going very well," Campbell said. "He’s only lost, I think, 13 games all this year."
Included in Holland’s perfect run is PDS’ lone win in a 4-1 loss to Lawrenceville last Monday when Holland defeated a familiar Middle States opponent, Matt Tervooren, 6-0, 6-2. Holland faces his toughest test when he leads the Panthers against Chris Hoeland and Princeton High today.
"I’ve practiced with him a lot," Holland said. "We’re friends. We played one time in a tournament a long time ago. It was probably two years ago. I won. I was probably 12.
"Usually we play some practice matches and they’re pretty close."
Nothing different is expected today, thanks to a finally recovered Holland. For the past eight months, he has battled back from a stress fracture in his lower back, the result of overuse while playing so many national tournaments. As a 12-year-old, he was ranked 37th in the country. Holland is still trying to get back to that level after months of physical therapy.
"I was just trying to get back to playing tennis," said the Pennington resident, who has attended PDS since last year. "I didn’t care much where I played. I feel lucky to be playing one, and I’m excited about playing Chris."
Holland feels good about how his game has progressed since joining the PDS boys’ team. He’s been hitting with new No. 2, Vikram Gupta, and assistant coach Will Asch while also finding time to practice some with accomplished private coach Frank Carleton and his highly ranked sons.
"Probably like a month ago, I was starting to feel good," Holland said. "I was trying to get back to where I normally was. I was not where I used to be. Now I’m getting back to where I was.
"I think I’m almost there. I played well on a few of my other high school matches. I feel good."
Campbell sees no problems from his new No. 1. Holland’s addition has raised expectations for the Panthers, who were 9-5 last year. Among their early wins is a convincing 4-1 win over four-time defending champion Rutgers Prep, a team they had not defeated in four seasons.
"We knew about him when he entered PDS in eighth grade," Campbell said. "We knew he was a highly ranked Middle States player. He took on all challengers in our challenge matches and he decisively beat everyone. He beat Gupta and Bo Marshall decisively. He deservingly gets that No. 1 spot. You can tell he’s a very tournament seasoned player. He’s very cool under pressure."
Pressed further, Campbell says that one thing comes to mind even as he thinks about Holland’s well-rounded game.
"Consistency," Campbell said. "Not too many errors. Not many errors in his service game. His return of service is good. I guess the trademark of his is keeping the ball deep. It sets up any net game or volleying to finish off his games.
"He has no real weaknesses. He has a pretty strong all-around game. He hits with pace when needs to. He has nice touch around the net. He’s a nice complete player. We’re real pleased to have him aboard. We’ve only had two at my years at PDS. It’s an exceptional player who can step into a one as a freshman at a good public or prep school. He’s doing a good job."
Coming in at first singles, Holland has pushed down the rest of the PDS lineup. Gupta, who’s been playing first singles for his varsity career, dropped to second singles while Seth Stein moved from second singles to third singles. Bo Marshall, who advanced farther than any PDS player at last year’s Prep B state championships, is now a doubles powerhouse. Newcomer Pat Murphy also brings some pep to the doubles lineup that is still in the works.
"This is our strongest lineup in singles in recent years," said Campbell, recalling, "probably since the Brett Carty years. There were some nice players on his team. We look forward to this match against Princeton. It’ll be our strongest lineup facing them in years.
"The key to our success will be in the doubles situation. We’re going to need to win some matches in doubles. We’re not going to sweep singles all the time. We’re going to need some help at doubles."
As for Holland, Campbell knows that he’s facing his toughest match of the season to date. Holland had one simple goal coming into the season.
"My goal was to get back in time for the high school season, which I did," Holland said. "I’ve been just trying to win as many matches as I can.
"I wasn’t expecting it. I’ve been getting better as the season goes on. Winning gives me more confidence."
Holland will enter today’s showdown with, like Hoeland, a perfect record as well as growing confidence that he is returning to the form that once made him one of the best in the nation.
"It’s going to be really tough," Holland said. "I’m definitely going to have to play my best."
It’s all that David Holland has given the Panther boys’ tennis team this season, and there’s plenty more to come.