Marlboro High School’s Matt Cruz hits a backhand shot to Shore Regional High School’s Matt Resnikoff during their singles match in the first round of the Shore Conference Boys Tennis Tournament on April 29 in Marlboro. Cruz and Resnikoff played to a draw, and the Mustangs advanced with a 4-1 victory over Shore Regional. A nother showdown with Holmdel High School in the Shore Conference Tournament (SCT) could be ahead for the Marlboro High School boys tennis team. If the seeding holds up, Holmdel and Marlboro will play for the SCT title on May 8 at the Ranney School in Tinton Falls.
The Mustangs (9-1), seeded No. 2 behind the defending champions, won their first-round game over Shore Regional High School, 4-1, in a match that was played over two days due to rain on April 29.
Marlboro played Holmdel early in the season and lost, 4- 1. However, head coach Dave Kretzmer said it was a positive for his players because it showed them where they need to be to compete with the very best teams. Holmdel is one of the best in the state, having won the NJSIAA Group II title in 2013.
The Mustangs have been cruising in the Shore Conference A North Division, winning their matches, 5-0, except for a 4-1 win over Colt Neck High School. They have yet to play Christian Brothers Academy, the team they shared the division title with last year because of rain and scheduling conflicts. Makeup dates have yet to be determined. Both teams are undefeated in division play.
Marlboro has the same singles unit as last season, only the positions have changed. David Xie, who was No. 2 last year, is now playing first singles. Last year’s No. 3, Matt Cruz, is playing second singles, leaving Alex Raman, last year’s No. 1, at third singles.
“The kids in the lineup who moved up played more [in the offseason],” Kretzmer said.
Put all three together and Marlboro, as is its trademark over the years, has a solid singles lineup.
“David is hitting a two-hand backhand now,” Kretzmer said. “He’s more aggressive, and he goes for it with his shots.
“Matt is a baseline player who keeps the ball in play,” the coach added. “He stays in points.”
Raman brings the same steady play to third singles that he has throughout his Marlboro career. His play at third singles actually makes the lineup stronger this year.
Akhil Chakravarti and Abhirim Saripella are a very strong first doubles team, according to their coach.
“They are very aggressive and come to the net,” Kretzmer said.
At second doubles, the Mustangs have Vincent Chen and Brandon Lipnitsky, who are good volleyers.
Kretzmer said he sees many similarities between this year’s club and last year’s, which was 21-4.
Freehold Township High School, Freehold High School and Manalapan High School were all preliminary round SCT winners. Freehold Township, the 10th seed, beat No. 23-seed Ranney, 5-0; 11th-seed Freehold took out No. 22-seed St. Rose High School, 5-0; and Manalapan, the 16th seed, beat No. 17-seed Barnegat High School, 5-0.
Manalapan’s reward was top-seed Holmdel in the next round, which they lost by a 5-0 final. Freehold Township lost to No. 7-seed Toms River High School East, 3-2, while Freehold fell to sixth-seed seed Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, 4-1.
Colts Neck, the No. 8 seed, had a preliminary round bye and beat No. 9-seed Southern Regional High School, 4-1, in its first-round contest. The Cougars lost to Holmdel in the quarterfinals, 5-0.
Playing first singles for other SCT teams are Sam Davidson from Colts Neck, Yash Shah from Freehold, Blake Goldberg from Freehold Township and Konrad Slabinski from Manalapan.
The deadline for the NJSIAA state tournament was April 29. With all six Freehold Regional High School District teams having .500 or better records, all will be in when state play begins on May 9.
With just one loss, Marlboro earned the fifth seed in Central Jersey Group IV, which means home matches for the first few rounds. The Mustangs open against No. 12- seed Sayreville War Memorial High School.