BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer
METUCHEN – After dropping its opening match of the season in a 3-2 loss to Dunellen, the Metuchen High School boys tennis team rebounded with a 4-1 win over South Amboy to even its mark to 1-1 on the young season.
Senior Dan Gross dropped the lone match for the Bulldogs in a close one. After taking the first set 6-3, Gross lost the next two sets 4-6 and 1-6.
“Danny played a good match,” Metuchen head coach Rob Strauss said. “I think if he plays as well as he did in that one, he can have a lot of success this year. He’ll be more confident playing at No. 2 singles once we get transfer student Jeff Victor on the court at No. 1.”
Victor, a transfer from Wardlow-Hartridge, is sidelined for 30 days in accordance with NJSIAA transfer policy. His first match is slated for May 4 against Spotswood.
“With Jeff out it definitely hurts us a bit, but it gives us a chance to see our depth,” Strauss said. “We only have two seniors and a ton of younger players, so it’s good for us to get the young players some varsity experience. We’re certainly excited for Jeff to join the team. He has a tremendous forehand and he can really take advantage of a short ball. He’ll be a big advantage to the team.”
Sophomore Alex Adamowsky is one such talented younger player. Adamowsky picked up a win at No. 2 singles against South Amboy, winning his match 7-6, 4-6 and 7-6.
“Alex has been doing a fantastic job,” Strauss said. “He’ll normally be at Number 1 doubles and it’s nice to see him getting better with every match. I think he’ll be a great player for us this season.”
Junior Alex Storts also got a chance to play singles and won his match at No. 3 by a 6-2, 6-0 score. Storts is expected to see action primarily at No. 2 doubles when Victor joins the lineup.
“He played a nice match,” Strauss said. “He minimized his own mistakes and played under control. He’s got tremendous skills and he’s learning that he doesn’t need to always hit winners from the baseline to be successful. If he’s patient he will have a lot of success.”
Brian Frowenfeld and Bryan Mulligan teamed up to earn the win at No. 1 doubles with a 6-3, 6-1 score.
“Those guys are starting to play like a doubles team,” Strauss said. “They’re getting their first serves in and they’re finishing volleys.”
At No. 2 doubles Nick Roberts and Ben Kitsko won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. The tandem made the leap from No. 3 doubles.
In the 3-2 loss to Dunellen, Storts won his match at No. 3 singles 2-6, 6-4 and 6-3, and the No. 2 doubles team of brothers Adam and Robert Clarkson won 6-0, 3-6 and 6-4.
“Both of the Clarkson brothers are brand-new to the team, and they’re having fun and learning the game,” Strauss said. “They did a nice job stepping up from No. 4 singles to give us a win.”
The Dogs will look to stay on the winning side when they host Spotswood for a 3:45 p.m. match today. The team will end the week with a trip to South River April 13.
Notes… Early on, the weather has toyed with the schedule a bit for the local teams, but when they’ve been able to take to the courts, they’ve done well thus far.
All four of the local teams ranked in the GMC’s Top 10 have fared well early on: J.P. Stevens (1-1), J.F Kennedy (2-0), Woodbridge (1-0) and Edison (1-0) are looking strong, as expected. In addition, Colonia is off to a 1-1 start, while St. Joseph’s (0-2) and Bishop Ahr (0-2) are both hoping to secure their first wins this week.
The majority of the local teams will be in action today, with Woodbridge hosting Kennedy at 10 a.m., Edison hosting third-ranked North Brunswick at 3:45 p.m. (the first big test of the Eagles’ season), Bishop Ahr traveling to Perth Amboy (4 p.m.), Stevens visiting second-ranked East Brunswick at 4 p.m., Metuchen hosting Spotswood at 4 p.m., and St. Joseph’s visiting Piscataway at 4 p.m.