Hopewell Valley boys tennis
By: Jim Green
The Hopewell Valley Central High School boys tennis team was not simply satisfied to get there.
The fifth-seeded Bulldogs entered their Central Jersey Group III sectional final against second-seeded Princeton fully convinced they had a chance to win if they all played their best tennis. And while the effort was there, the results were not, as the second-seeded Little Tigers pulled out a well-earned 3 ½-1 ½ win over fifth-seeded Hopewell which was playing in its first sectional final since 2000 on Tuesday at Princeton Racquet Club.
"We came out here wanting to win," Hopewell second singles player Aubrey Holmes said. "We wanted to win this, and we expected to win."
Holmes notched the Bulldogs’ only win of the match, a 6-1, 6-2 decision over Princeton’s Graham MacDonald. Unfortunately for Hopewell, the match already had been decided, as the Little Tigers won at first singles, third singles and first doubles to clinch the match.
Matt McGranaghan lost to Chris Hoeland 6-2, 6-1 at first singles, Steve Deitchman was beaten by Matt Ullman 6-3, 6-2 at third singles, and Pete Murr and Alex Sheidler lost to David Zheng and Yoshihiro Tachibana 6-4, 7-5 in a tough first-doubles match.
"We were looking for a win," McGranaghan said. "We didn’t come here to show we’re a good team."
The match was scheduled to be played at 3:45 p.m. at Montgomery High School, but was moved to a 6:30 p.m. indoor start due to rain. McGranaghan said he had plenty of experience playing indoors, so the switch did not take a toll on him. Hoeland, the Mercer County Tournament first singles champion, simply was too tough.
"I felt OK," McGranaghan said. "I didn’t feel great. Chris is a very good player."
After McGranaghan was beaten, Deitchman soon followed. When Murr and Sheidler lost their battle, Hopewell’s dream for its first sectional title in more than 20 years vanished.
Still, Holmes was able to make sure the Bulldogs avoided the shutout, dominating MacDonald from start to finish.
"This was one of my best matches," Holmes said. "Even though we lost, it still feels good."
Holmes, who never had played much indoor tennis before training this past winter, battled through his lack of familiarity with the indoor game. It was another sign of how far the MCT third-place finisher has come in the last year.
"He’s just been so mentally tough this year," Hopewell coach Alma Quinlan said. "That’s such a great addition to his repertoire. He just picks apart his opponent now."
Holmes felt his team should be proud of the way in played against the perennially tough Little Tigers.
"Princeton’s strong," Holmes said. "We competed. Even if it was a loss, we still pushed them."
Hopewell reached the sectional final by knocking off Ocean Township 3-2 in the semifinals May 19. McGranaghan beat Spencer Feldman 6-3, 6-1 at first singles, Holmes topped Josh Grossman 6-4, 6-0 at second singles, and Murr and Sheidler notched a 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 6-3 come-from-behind win at first doubles. The second doubles squad of Jeff Drake and Dan McGruther put up a fight before falling 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
With the win, Hopewell delivered payback to top-seeded Ocean Township. Last season, Ocean, then the fourth seed, knocked top-seeded Hopewell out of the tournament.
"They wanted revenge in the worst way," Quinlan said. "They were on a mission. Every single one played well that day."
With Murr being the only senior lost to graduation after this season, Hopewell should be in a position to go to another sectional final and possibly beyond in 2006.
"I just can’t wait for next year," Quinlan said. "Nobody thought we’d do this well this year. It was a nice season."

