By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
An almost entirely new lineup from a year ago got its stiffest test of the season when the Northern Burlington boys tennis team competed in the Burlington County Open tennis tournament Monday.
Two of the Greyhounds flights advanced to the quarterfinals before they were eliminated. Third-singles’ Ruben Ganesh continued his strong debut in the singles lineup by qualifying for the quarterfinals. And the second-doubles tandem of Nick Muscavage and Lee D’Amato also reached the quarterfinals in their first varsity year together.
”The second doubles is a new team,” said Northern Burlington head coach Larry Young. “It’s the first time for them. And third singles made it to the quarterfinals, and he didn’t play singles last year.
”We had a tough draw in all fairness to the guys. We played well. I have no problem with how we played. We just didn’t win the points we needed to win, but that’s tennis.”
Moorestown and Lenape dominated the tournament, with the schools scheduled to meet in four of five flight finals on Tuesday. While those sorts of schools focusing on winning the tournament, the Greyhounds left the tournament and set to work on improving themselves for the rest of the regular season with some extra work Monday after they were eliminated from the tournament.
”We got back and practiced two hours,” Young said. “We’re trying to practice wherever I can squeeze it in. I can’t complain. The kids have been good about it.”
Poor weather conditions have cost the Greyhounds significant practice and playing time. That’s hurt their development.
”We’ve only had three matches because of rainouts,” said Young, whose team is 2-1 with its lone loss coming against Burlington Township. “We still have a ways to go. We’re looking for improvement, especially out of our doubles teams. It’s been positive progress and we’re getting there.
”Between the lack of practice time and the first couple matches weren’t quality so we didn’t get the work in. We went up against the Township team and didn’t come through. It was a lack of experience more than anything.”
First-singles senior Varun Ravindran is the only Greyhounds player back in the same spot as last year. Ravindran is a steady player who’s been at first singles for four years. Matt Leedom is at second singles this year after moving up from third singles, where he enjoyed a fine campaign last year. Ganesh played second doubles last year, but has moved up to third singles. They were an important part of last year’s 12-win team.
”Everyone else is new to the lineup,” Young said. Eric DeGood and Justin Rangel are at first doubles. Three of the four doubles players are seniors, but doubles is what takes the longest time to develop chemistry and cohesive play.
”If we can get our doubles teams straightened out and on a positive note, we’ll be fine,” Young said. “We can usually win two out of three with our singles.
”I have a third doubles team that is a sophomore and junior. They’re really progressing. It’s really close.”
For the players in the current lineup, Monday’s Burlington County Open was a good look at the competition in the area.
”It was the four Indian schools plus Moorestown so the competition was really good,” Young said. “I saw mostly positive things today. That’s the encouraging thing and then we had an excellent practice. They went after it.”
Young is hoping that strong work ethic and the attitude pays off for his Northern Burlington tennis team. As the weather improves, he is hoping it will help them get in some addition practice and matches. After today’s match against Delran, the Greyhounds have a long break under their spring break week, when they hope to get on the courts a lot.
”I have a bunch of matches during our spring break,” Young said. “I think we have a match every day. We’re allowed to play two if we don’t have school, so I might do that.”
After seeing what the best of the county has to offer, the Greyhounds are looking to make significant improvements while they settle into their new flights.

