New No. 1 Scharfstein leads sweep
By: Justin Feil
Annie Scharfstein and the retooled West Windsor-Plainsboro South girls’ tennis team passed their first test of the 2007 season.
The Pirates swept WW-P North, 5-0, Friday in their first match of the season. Going into it with four new players in the lineup and only one, first-doubles Allison Kempf, back in the same position as last year, there were plenty of question marks about the Pirates.
"We were a little nervous coming into it," said Scharfstein, who is in her first full season at first singles. "It’s always hyped up, North and South. I’m really proud of the team. I’m happy with the results."
The junior left-hander has played second singles behind Joelle Nitzberg the last two years. With Nitzberg’s graduation, Scharfstein slides up to the highest profile spot in high school tennis.
"I think there’s a lot of pressure put on you moving up to first," she said. "Even though there are team captains, first singles kind of sets the tone for the team. You have to be a good model and bring some cheer into it. I was definitely really excited about playing one."
Scharfstein handed Alma Chang her first loss of the season, 6-4, 6-1, to seal the Pirates’ win. Third-singles Lesley Norris won the first point of the day for WW-P South with a 6-3, 6-0 win even before Scharfstein and Chang were done with their first set. Kempf and new partner, freshman Larissa Lee Lum, gave South a 2-0 lead with a 6-1, 6-0 win. Neha Gavai was a 7-5, 6-2 winner at second singles and Amanda Stanton and Mallory Wang made their varsity debut memorable with a 6-3, 7-5 win.
"I’m proud of them," said Pirates head coach Jim Giovacchini. "For a freshman and sophomore at second doubles to come back in the second set was nice. Neha had a great debut. Lesley’s debut at singles was solid. It was good.
"Annie played a tactical match a smart, tactical match. She led her team to a victory."
Scharfstein didn’t show any of her newfound power she picked up in the offseason, but instead had to go to a new strategy and tried to just keep the ball in play against Chang.
"It was mainly because of the wind," Scharfstein said. "We’re right on top of a hill here. I definitely wasn’t playing my game, but it’s part of playing tennis. You have to change it up if you’re not doing so well. I definitely mixed it up and it worked. I didn’t feel great about it. I like when I hit harder.
"I don’t hit with a lot of topspin, so in the wind, I can’t bring the ball down. And Alma was hitting great shots."
Scharfstein is no stranger to being in pressure matches. It was her forte last year as several matches came down to her second singles outcome in the midst of a 17-2 season for the Pirates.
"Last year, I felt a lot of pressure," she said. "Generally, I finished last, and it was 2-2 and mine was the break set. It was very stressful. Hopefully this year, I can trust my team and carry through. We have great second and third singles and our first doubles is looking good.
"It’s a different pressure. With second singles, it was later in the match when I felt, OK, I have to win this. The same pressure is there and it prepared me for this year."
Scharfstein maintained a busy schedule of three to four matches per week in preparation for vying for the first singles position. Her top concern developing a stronger backhand was important to complement a forehand that comes at a different spin than right-handers expect.
"Last year, I really didn’t have one," Scharfstein said. "I’d do these drop shot slice things. They were OK. Once you get to those stronger level players, they get those drop shots and stay up at net and you really need a good backhand. I worked a lot on that this year. I also wanted to get a little more power, which you didn’t see today."
Scharfstein expects a steady parade of challengers. It comes with the territory for first singles. Her first test was Friday.
"Every team, even though some of them may not have a great tennis team, they generally have one or two great players," she said. "So there’s a lot of pressure at one to be able to step up to that kind of level of tennis. Hopefully, I’ve been practicing through the year to practice for matches like this, matches that are more challenging."
With North, however, the Pirates knew they would be facing a tough team. The Knights struggled after opening the season with a win Wednesday.
"We’ll look to bounce back and use this as a lesson on where we are and what we need to do," said North head coach Albert Paulsson, whose team is at Robbinsville today. "The team had a few bright spots today. We still have some work to do. South is a good team. They’re strong. They played a good match."
The Pirates played about as well as anyone, including themselves, expected.
"Especially in our first match," Giovacchini said. "And it’s against North. I was definitely a little worried. I guess we were prepared. Some work and dedication is paying off. They seem very happy and eager to get the season started, like I am. It could be a very interesting year."
Added Scharfstein: "They’re a good team. It’s going to bring a lot of confidence into our next matches because they’re our sister school and we have a rivalry that’s very beneficial for both. I think we have a strong team for this year. Even if we did lose some people, I have trust in the team that we can pull out a good record."
Friday was certainly a good start toward it. For a Pirates team with just two seniors, the sweep was something to build on as they kicked off the year.
"We’re pretty young," Giovacchini said. "I think we’re the youngest team out there. I’m pretty happy with their overall performance. I’m happy with the way everyone played."