By: centraljersey.com
The lone senior in the Princeton High School girls tennis lineup, Rachel Bergman has risen up the ladder through each of her three varsity years.
Now at third singles after two years of doubles play, Bergman opened her final scholastic season with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Kelly Mercado in the Little Tigers’ 5-0 win over Nottingham on Wednesday.
"I found out that the girl I was playing was not their usual third singles player," Bergman said. "So it was a little easier than it was supposed to be. It was still good to win the match."
Bergman feels well prepared to deal with tougher challenges that will come her way. PHS takes on Notre Dame today in what could be a bigger test. Bergman feels ready because of three tough challenge matches with Keely Herring, PHS’ second singles player.
"Just pulling myself out of tough situations, I’ve gotten pretty good at based on my challenge matches," Bergman said. "She won the first and I won the second. The idea that if I’m down, I can bring myself up and keep myself in the game helps."
Bergman has been bringing her level up each year for the Little Tigers. She played second doubles as a sophomore. She was a to junior varsity player as a freshman. Last year, she paired with Helena Ord at first doubles as PHS went 17-3.
"Rachel was very, very close to the singles lineup last year," said PHS head coach Sarah Hibbert. "She had three three-set challenge matches. She was a very good doubles player. She had a great season. This year, she’s playing aggressively and taking some of the doubles shots – like serving and volleying and slicing – and using them."
The Little Tigers will need strong play out of Bergman and Herring, who are taking over for graduated seniors Jesse Delaney and Allegra Bianchini. Sarah Cen returns for her third season at first singles. Ord and new sophomore Maddie Cahill-Sanidas won at first doubles Wednesday, while returning juniors Alyssa Taylor and Lena Sun won at second doubles.
"We’ve had our core for a while," Hibbert said. "We’ve had a lot of juniors since they were freshmen. We lost two seniors in the singles lineup which will affect us, but we retain a good core.
"They’ve been ready to move up. Rachel is a senior. She’s moved up each of the last two years. This is a natural progression."
Bergman filled in at singles only a couple of times last year, but is confident as she adjusts to being solely responsible for one of the Little Tigers’ points each match.
"It’s a little different," she said. "No one else is on the court. I guess that’s obviously the biggest difference. I have no one else to talk to and support me. I’m focused more and focused more on playing well.
"It’s a very different game. I like the chance to be at the net a little more. I don’t play quite as much up at net (as she did in doubles). That was nice when I was at net and volleying."
Strong players ahead of her have helped Bergman improve even during the preseason. Hibbert is counting on them to continue to help each other grow as players.
"Sarah has led the team for a couple years now," Hibbert said. "She is still only a junior. Hopefully that’ll help to have her returning experience at the top of the lineup. She should push the two others to get stronger."
Added Bergman: "It’s been really good. She’s such a great player. I really look up to her as a tennis player because she’s so consistent. She doesn’t seem to fail ever as our first. I’m excited I get to play with her. She’s giving me pointers at practice. It’s great. It helps me out. She’s my co-captain too. She helps me out off the court too."
Bergman has found that leading the Little Tigers isn’t too difficult because there is a depth of experience throughout the lineup.
"They’re not much younger than I am," she said.
Bergman understands that she has an important role this year as a captain and singles player. She’s looking to make the most of her final high school season as she steps up the ladder one more time.
"It was a big thing to lose Allegra and Jesse," Bergman said. "They were two really good players. Our doubles teams look good. They’re still figuring out how to work with each other. They’re all really great. I think we can be just as good if not better than last year if we work hard."
