If it’s lonely at the top, that’s something the Sayreville War Memorial High School boys tennis team won’t mind this time, having shared the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) White Division crown with Monroe last spring.
The Bombers own a perfect 9-0 mark in White Division play, and coach Mike Provenza’s goal from the start was for his team to win the division. Sayreville is 11- 4 overall, including a 5-0 nonconference victory over Hunterdon Central. The team finished fifth in the GMC tourney, losing to J.P. Stevens, and also qualified for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV tournament, where the Bombers fell to powerful Montgomery in the opening round.
“Our team has great camaraderie, that’s one of the keys to our success,” the fourth-year coach said. “The guys have fun playing the game and it shows in their attitudes and their overall play.”
This week the Bombers face three divisional matches. JFK was scheduled to visit yesterday, with Colonia coming to town this afternoon. Tomorrow, Provenza’s team is set to visit South Plainfield.
After posting a 23-2 mark a year ago, Sayreville lost several seniors to graduation. This time around, the Bombers lineup includes just one senior, Vaibhav Verma, so the future looks bright as well.
From top to bottom Provenza’s lineup is solid. At first singles Tanay Patel owns a 10-4 mark after playing in the second slot a year ago. The junior owns a strong backhand and his defensive style of play frustrates opponents. Patel has qualified for the individual portion of the state tourney, which will be held later this month.
Sophomore Amar Karki has settled into the number-two spot. Another tough draw for opponents, Karki has tactfully
employed a variety of slices and drop shots en route to an 11-3 mark.
Rounding out the singles players is Nick Szamreta, who is holding down the third spot for the second year in a row. Provenza describes the junior, who has a 9-
3 record, as a “very disciplined player.”
Junior Patrick Khaleel and
sophomore Ravi Trivedi play first doubles for the Bombers. Khaleel, a patient backcourt player, is the perfect complement for the aggressive Trivedi, who excels at the net. The duo has combined for an 11-3 mark and has qualified for the state doubles tourney.
Provenza primarily calls upon Verma and freshman Atoorv Kakar for second singles. The more experienced Verma concentrates on keeping the ball in play, while Kakar, who has a big serve, plays more aggressively. The pairing is 7-2 and they finished second in the GMC second doubles tourney.
Junior Deval Desai and promising freshman Ryan Zucker also see action for Sayreville. Provenza is trying to work both players into the lineup as frequently as possible.
While the high school team looks solid for next year, Provenza noted that the program continues to grow. The middle school Tennis Club, which began two years ago, attracted 45 players this spring. He credited two middle school teachers, Dominic Provenza, the coach’s brother, and Tom Mullins, with building that program.
“This enables more kids to learn about tennis and to start playing at an earlier age,” Mike Provenza said. “These kids are then much more advanced and ready to play when they get to high school.”