Hopewell boys tennis
By: John E. Powers
The Hopewell Valley Central High School boys tennis team is in the exact spot it was in last year in the Central Jersey Group III sectional tournament.
But, this year, it comes into itssectional semifinal with Ocean in a different role.
Last year, the top-seeded Bulldogs were beaten by fourth-seeded Ocean 4-1. This year, the Bulldogs come into their match with top-seeded Ocean as the fifth seed. The match is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. today (Thursday) at Ocean High School.
The Bulldogs (13-3) advanced by topping No. 4 Northern Burlington 5-0. Matt McGranaghan, Aubrey Holmes and Steve Deitchman swept the singles flight, and Peter Murr and Alex Scheidler and Jeff Drake and Dan McGruther took the doubles.
"They had scrimmaged Ewing in the preseason, and when we played Ewing (last Friday), the Ewing coach told me we shouldn’t have much of a problem with them," Hopewell Valley coach Alma Quinlan said. "Northern Burlington wasn’t that bad, but they were young. They had no seniors."
The opposite side of the sectional bracket has two familiar foes. No. 6 seed West Windsor-Plainsboro North will play No. 2 seed and defending section champ Princeton for the right to advance to the sectional final. North knocked off Hightstown 3 ½ 1 ½ in the quarterfinals.
McGranaghan won at first singles (6-0, 6-0) for Hopewell last Friday, as the Bulldogs shut out Ewing (0-15). Holmes also won, as did sophomore Mike Bolan at third singles. Kevin Mitchell and Blake McArthur won at first doubles, while Eric Zeldis and Ben Sheng swept second doubles play.
The Bulldogs were beaten by North in a key Colonial Valley Conference Patriot Division match last Wednesday. North won on their home court 4-1 as first-singles player Wayne Jenq beat McGranaghan 0-6, 7-5, 7-5. The first-doubles team of Billy Huang and Patrick Shock needed three sets to get past Murr and Sheilder 6-2, 0-6, 6-3. Holmes took third singles.
"It was disappointing, but North is a solid team," Quinlan said. "I still think we’re capable of beating them. Matt should have won, and he won’t lose to that kid when we play again."
The teams were scheduled to meet at Timberlane School on Wednesday in a match that would determine the divisional champ. Hopewell won it last year.
"Right now, we’re taking it a match at a time," Quinlan said.

