GIRLS TENNIS
By: John E. Powers
The Lawrence High School girl’s tennis team and their new head coach Mick Cimorelli have reasonable goals for this season. The nucleus is strong enough to make those goals reality: a berth in the Central Jersey Group III tournament and perhaps at least a sectional tournament victory.
The Cardinals, who got off to a 2-1 start this season, were 6-10 in 2005, qualifying for the sectional tournament where they lost to North Brunswick 3-2. Cimorelli, a 29-year-old math teacher, replaces former coach Sue Bunn.
Cimorelli has been an assistant coach the last several years, so he knows what kind of talent the Cardinals have. He will be assisted by Heather Rainey.
"We have some tough teams in our league (Colonial Valley Conference Colonial Division), but I think we have a good chance of making it to the sectionals," he said.
Since the state tournament cutoff date is so early next Wednesday teams need to be at least at .500 to qualify. Cimorelli said the Cardinals have a favorable schedule that would enable them to make it.
"I’d be disappointed if we don’t make it and win at least one round," said Cimorelli, who welcomed 28 players to the program. "My goal is to change the attitude toward tennis here. We want to be a competitive team. We have a good number of players for our program, but we need to attract more athletes."
Lawrence is led by senior Sarah Rachad, who was 8-9 last year at No. 2 singles, playing behind the graduated Samantha Walker. Junior Aleeha Fazle, who played at second doubles with the graduated Michelle Ferozan, has moved up to second singles and sophomore Ashley Russo who played with senior Jamasia Tucker at first doubles last year, is the third singles player.Russo and Tucker went 8-8-1 last year. Tucker is playing first doubles with senior Michelle Drvewiecka and junior Erica Nagy and senior Margo Berger are at second doubles. Sophomore Jen Barrett could also see time at doubles.
Fazle rallied to win at second singles after Ewing’s Hilary Gall beat Rachad at first singles to help Lawrence beat Ewing 4-1. The team fell to Notre Dame 4-1 last week in the season opener as Nagy and Berger won at second doubles. The Cardinals then knocked off Hamilton Friday and Ewing.
The Cardinals were scheduled to play host to Steinert Wednesday, then at Hightstown Friday before coming back to play Robbinsville Monday, at Trenton Wednesday and at home against Nottingham Thursday. The Mercer County Tournament is next weekend.
"We have to take advantage of our early schedule," said Cimorelli, referring to perennial county powers Hun, West Windsor Plainsboro North and South, Hopewell Valley and Princeton lurking on the schedule later.

