Goldberg elevated to second singles

By: Ken Weingartner
   A year ago, as Darren Goldberg was busy putting together an 18-1 record at third singles for the Monroe High boys tennis team, he was never involved in a third set.
   After one match this year, that’s almost still the case.
   Goldberg, now playing second singles, won his opener against John F. Kennedy in three sets, but the match was split over two days because of rain. He played one set Monday, losing 7-5 in a tiebreaker, before winning two sets Tuesday, 7-5 and 6-4.
   Essentially, it was a two-set match for Goldberg when he returned to action.
   "I was anxious to get back; I wanted to beat the kid," Goldberg said. "For me, it was a clean slate. There was no score on the board except for the first set."
   First-singles player Ken Stanley and Jasmin Laferriere, at third singles, both were involved in the third sets of their matches when action was halted. Both ended up losing when play resumed.
   "For Ken, it was difficult to come back," Goldberg said. "He says it takes him a couple games to get into the mindset, and there wasn’t much time for him. He wasn’t able to gain any momentum."
   The first doubles team of Matt Sepe and Kevin Murtha, which didn’t begin play until the match resumed Tuesday, also dropped a three-set decision. Lov Patel and Sam Saxena fell at second doubles.
   "I think we played well," Goldberg said. "All of our matches were close, we just came up on the wrong side of them."
   Goldberg, with just one match in the books at second singles, was uncertain how he would fare this season at his new spot.
   "I think I’ll do well," he said. "The difference between each singles spot, from third to second and from second to first, is so large. I guess it will depend on my opponent. It’s hard to judge right now. I just have to stay focused and try to make them run."
   A senior who plays with a slicing style, Goldberg spent the offseason playing tennis with friends rather than taking lessons.
   "When I get instructed, they try to teach me to play with more force, teach me more topspin, which I’m not comfortable with," Goldberg said. "That’s not the way I play. It would put me back a step."
   Monroe is scheduled to visit North Brunswick Friday and host Perth Amboy Monday. The Falcons’ match against Bishop Ahr earlier this week was postponed with no make-up date.
   "I think we’ll do very well this season," Goldberg said. "Both doubles and our third singles haven’t played varsity before, so it might take a match or two for them to get settled. But they’re all very good players. I think we have a chance to have a great record this year."