Junior helps Stuart start 6-0
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Monday was a special day in Alex Abad’s tennis season.
The Stuart Country Day junior was looking forward to the start of the Mercer County Tournament.
”Mercer Counties is my favorite time of the year,” said Abad, who plays first singles for the Tartans. “Freshman year was my crowning moment. I’m always trying to relive that every year.”
Two years ago, Abad and then-fellow freshman Sarah Horton won the MCT second doubles championship, just the second Stuart duo to win a flight title since 1989. Since then, Abad has steadily risen in the Stuart lineup. She played third singles for just a couple of matches last year before moving up to second singles for the remainder of the season. This year, she is at first singles, making a run to a county crown that much harder.
”It’s really different from playing second singles,” Abad said. “It’s a big jump up from the level of competitors. This year, it’s more hitting against people with power instead of just consistency. I have to vary my game more.”
Abad went into the MCT unseeded with a 4-2 record in dual matches. She was scheduled to play Hun’s Kara Shoemaker in the first round. This year’s format is different with all players coming back for consolation rounds.
”I do like it,” Abad said. “It gives you more tennis. I won’t be stressed about going back to school if I lose.”
Abad has helped a Tartans team get off to a 6-0 start despite not having a single player returning to the same position that they played a year ago.
”It was a surprise that we won a lot of 3-2ers,” said Stuart head coach Dede Webster. “We got rained out against the big guns though. This is going to be a test.”
The MCT is always a challenge for smaller Stuart given the breadth of talent in the county. But each year, the Tartans have advanced a contender deep in at least one flight.
”We have optimism,” Webster said. “We’ll have to see. We haven’t been tested against the really good schools. We did beat Peddie, which was a nice win for us. But we were rained out against PDS and Lawrenceville and we haven’t gone up against West Windsor North and South. We’ve been very successful thus far. I told the girls to enjoy what they’ve done so far and we’ll see what happens.”
Abad is happy with the start she’s gotten off to in her third year of varsity. Last year, she got used to competing without a partner, and this year she is adjusting to playing the top players from every team.
”I play tournaments outside of school,” said Abad, a Yardley, Pa. resident. “I have that edge. I stay competitive with my game year-round. I think that’s helped me a lot.
”I worked a lot more on my power with consistency. Before, I used to use a lot of spin and just try to be consistent. I’m trying to have more angles. My serve has gotten better too. It makes it easier to win matches too.”
She still feels the pressure of playing No. 1 for the Tartans, but is encouraged by a strong team behind her. Kai Boulware has been steady after moving up to second singles. Marielle Mahon has been a big surprise in going unbeaten at third singles in her first varsity season. Stuart’s doubles combinations are also brand new.
”At first, I was a little iffy about it,” Abad said. “As matches went on, I saw how well our doubles players worked together. And I saw how tough Marielle is. She’s mentally tough. She’s played a lot of three-set matches and won.”
Added Webster: “These kids, they know how to compete. I’ve always thought the Stuart tennis players are overachievers. We’ve got some nice players. We’ve got some very nice singles players.”
Abad is at the top of them for Stuart. She is hoping that the Tartans can build on their strong start to the regular season with a good showing at the MCT.
”I think all of us feel very confident,” she said. “We all have an iffy draw. Most of us are playing seeded players except second singles. It’s been tough. We haven’t played many of the teams in the Mercer County Tournament yet. We played more teams from our prep tournament.”
Now she’s hoping to do well against the county as many of the Tartan players face their biggest test of the young season.
”I would like to see them stay positive, enjoy that they’re surrounded by good tennis and work together as a team,” Webster said. “It’s a very exciting event. It’s one of my favorites. Hopefully somebody will do well and then they’ll all gather around and watch.”
Two year ago, Alex Abad was a doubles player being cheered to a title by her teammates. Trying to relive that moment is why she was looking forward to another trip to the MCT on Monday.

