BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
JEFFGRANIT staff Marlboro’s Andrew Sharnov is expected to compete for the state individual title this year, while leading Marlboro’s run at several team titles. The Marlboro and Manalapan tennis teams learned a lot about themselves Thursday afternoon.
In a very early season showdown, Dave Kretzmer’s Mustangs proved that they remain the Shore’s best team until proven otherwise with a solid 4-1 victory.
Marlboro’s ace, Andrew Sharnov, said the victory answered a lot of questions the Mustangs had about themselves. They were a team that had graduated seven seniors.
“We had to show ourselves and them that we are a better team,” he said. “We were very happy with the win. We really weren’t sure where we were at. Now we know that we are a good team and can have a really good season.”
After chasing the Mustangs throughout the 2004 season, Arnie Lifland’s Braves were poised to announce a changing of the guard, and Thursday afternoon was their first opportunity to turn the tables on the team that had beaten them three times last year, including the final of the Shore Conference Tournament. With the Braves returning a veteran singles lineup and the Mustangs filling in spots left open by graduation, this seemed to be Manalapan’s time.
However, it was the Mustangs, now 4-0, who got a leg up in the race for the Shore Conference A North Division championship with the victory. The ’Stangs are looking for their fifth straight division pennant.
Steve Morris’ three-set marathon win at second singles was the big win of the day for Marlboro. Morris rallied for a three-set win over Manalapan’s Alex Pritsker, who was undefeated at second singles in 2004.
Morris dropped the first set 6-3, then evened the score 7-5 in the second. Morris, who was able to get Pritsker to play his game, long rallied, eventually outlasted the Manalapan sophomore 7-6 (9-7) in the third set.
Sharnov, who has designs on a possible state singles championship, turned back Manalapan’s No. 1 player Grant Van Rensburg, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.
Marlboro scored solid wins at both doubles. Garrett Glassman and Matt Schwartz topped Evan Schwartz and David Levy at first doubles, 6-0, 7-5. At second doubles, the team of Seth Berkowitz and Ariel Raytenberg topped Greg Yen and David Katz, 6-4, 6-0.
Manalapan’s lone point came at third singles where Casey Jedlinski scored a straight-set win over Landon Goodman, 6-3, 6-1.
Marlboro and Manalapan (1-1) are ranked one-two in the Shore Conference and appear headed for another showdown in the SCT, and possibly the Central Jersey Group IV playoffs.
Manalapan will look to regroup for the A North rematch, scheduled for April 22 in Manalapan.
Sharnov wants to make this year his best yet. In his first three years, he reached the quarterfinals, the round of 16 and the semifinals at the NJSIAA championships. With East Brunswick’s Vivek Subramanian, who beat Sharnov last year, having graduated, the Mustang senior believes the door is open for him to become the area’s first state champion.
“I confident that if I play good tennis, I feel I can win it,” said Sharnov. “Having a good day of tennis always helps.”
Last week, on consecutive days he beat Ranney’s Trey Taylor (last year’s prep school B state champion) and Van Rensburg back-to-back in straight sets.
“Playing good competition is good preparation,” said Sharnov.
Besides his obvious experience, Sharnov believes the edge he has this spring is a more powerful game. He just starting lifting weight three months ago and he’s already seen the results.
“My serve is much stronger and I have more power in my ground strokes,” said Sharnov.
The improved serve has Sharnov getting more free points during the match, and the added power has him putting opponents on the defense or finishing off points.
Freehold Township which has played in the shadows of Marlboro and Manalapan, has a winning tradition and after going 9-11 last spring, the Patriots want to get back on the winning path.
Freehold Township will be counting on a trio of sophomores — Anson Ahne, Noah Zatskin and Ben Kahn — for their singles lineup. Senior Mike Fornaro and Mike Tepedino are the first doubles team.
The Patriots are off to a 2-1 start.
Howell is going to battle with Stephen Rogers, Azam Kahn, Chris D’Antuono, Danny Parisi and Matt Freed all splitting time at singles.
Anthony Chen and newcomer Jeremy Goldman are teaming up at first doubles with Illian Levy and Kevin Saal at second doubles.
Freehold Borough and Colts Neck are in the Class B North Division.
The Colonials were close to having a winning season in 2004, going 8-10. Like their crosstown rivals, the Colonials would like to finish better than .500 this year.
Freehold Borough has seasoned veteran Derek Kong playing first singles, and junior Karan Kapoor and sophomore Fred Yick switching between second and third singles.
Anthony Chen and newcomer Jeremy Goldman, a freshman, are teaming up at first doubles for Freehold Borough, with Illian Levy and Alen Chen at second doubles.
Dori Louden’s Colonials are off to a nice 2-1 start.
Colts Neck will be counting on its two returners, Alex Kates and Erik Doughty, to turn last year’s 5-12 season around.
This year’s SCT will be held from May 2-11. The state tournament is due to begin on May 12.
their crosstown rivals, the Colonials would like to finish better than .500 this year.
Freehold Borough has seasoned veteran Derek Kong playing first singles, and junior Karan Kapoor and sophomore Fred Yick switching between second and third singles.
Anthony Chen and newcomer Jeremy Goldman, a freshman, are teaming up at first doubles for Freehold Borough, with Illian Levy and Alen Chen at second doubles.
Dori Louden’s Colonials are off to a nice 2-1 start.
Colts Neck will be counting on its two returners, Alex Kates and Erik Doughty, to turn last year’s 5-12 season around.
This year’s SCT will be held from May 2-11. The state tournament is due to begin on May 12.