Pirates also reach sectional finals
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Katelyn Hojeibane will focus today on starting stronger to help the Princeton High School girls tennis team finish the way it wants to.
One of three seniors in the Little Tigers lineup, Hojeibane trailed, 5-2, in the first set of her match against Hopewell Valley in the Central Jersey Group III semifinals Friday. She had Hopewell’s Melissa Liu right where she wanted her as Hojeibane reeled off the next 11 games for a 7-5, 6-0 win to clinch a 5-0 sweep for PHS.
”Being more experienced definitely helps getting me through situations that are difficult and hard to manage,” Hojeibane said. “A younger me may not have realized I have to slow down, I have to be more consistent and I may have lost the match. The older me knows I’m not going to win by hitting shots out, I have to slow myself down and hit better shots.”
Hojeibane had a very similar start in the Little Tigers’ sectional opener against Middletown South. She rallied in that one for a 7-5, 6-1 win.
”If it doesn’t go her way the first couple games,” said PHS head coach Sarah Hibbert, “she knows she can keep working hard and come back and not give up.”
Christina Rosca and Rory Lewis won the other two singles matches against Hopewell, while Zhenia Dementyeva and Nikhita Salgame won at first doubles and Elise Gerdes and Gillian Samios won at second doubles for the Little Tigers, who improved to 13-1. PHS advances to play Ocean today for its third straight sectional title.
”We have only ever played Wall,” Hojeibane said. “I know we played Wall last year in the semifinals. I’m excited to play Ocean. It should be a good match, especially since they beat Wall I know they’re a good team.”
West Windsor-Plainsboro South — the one team to beat PHS this year — will play for the Central Jersey Group IV crown against upset winner Hunterdon Central today. While WW-P South stormed by Marlboro, 4-1, Hunterdon Central slipped by Montgomery High, 3-2. The Pirates played with their regular lineup for the first time in two weeks as they improved to 13-0. Caroline Zhou rallied for a three-set win at first singles, Angela Weng won at second singles, Stephanie Ji returned to the court at third singles, Angela Li and Sanjana Ravi won at first doubles and Margaret MacArthur and Kim Wong won at second doubles.
Sixth-seeded Hunterdon Central, after already knocking off third-seeded WW-P North, upset Montgomery. It was just the second loss of the season for the Cougars, who had won the Somerset County Tournament. Lily Chu won at third singles and Emily Roeper and Julia Spiegler took first doubles for MHS.
The Little Tigers are looking to extend their sectional run. With a win today, they would move on to the Group III semifinals slated for Thursday at Mercer County Park.
”I am definitely excited and very pumped,” Hojeibane said. “I know the rest or the team is also. I hope it’ll be a great week. We’ve won the sectional title the past two years and hopefully this year we’ll do the same.
”I’m nervous too. It’s a big deal and it’s my senior year and I want us to do the best we can. I’m worried for my own game because many times I’ll go in like I did with Hopewell and be down and get myself back up. I want to start better.”
Fortunately, Hojeibane has the experience and confidence to fight through her slow starts. It comes from years of playing tennis. She has spent the past two summers playing tennis abroad, an unmatched cultural and athletic experience that has benefited her.
Her summer of 2013 was spent playing and seeing Italy, France and the Netherlands. This summer, she went to Spain with a program that also used her as a staff assistant.
”It was great practice,” Hojeibane said. “The coaches on the trip really knew what they were talking about. We would have four-hour practices when we didn’t have tournaments. The kids on the trip were good, so that made it good. It helped with my court game and strategies and it helped to adapt to the environment.
”It was a lot of fun,” she added. “We did a couple tournaments. Everywhere we went, it was great practice and such different styles and different courts. It was such a different experience playing on red clay.”
It helped Hojeibane stay close to the game, and she returned to the preseason with an improved game. She moved up from third singles to second singles this year.
She’s continued to work on her groundstrokes and pace and the ability to serve and come to the net and be more aggressive,” Hibbert said. “Confidence is always a big thing. Against Hopewell, she started off a little slow. Her shots weren’t working. It was 2-5 and she wasn’t in her rhythm yet and she just kept fighting.”
Said Hojeibane: “I definitely improved my court strategy. I’m more of a smarter player. I look at other players’ strengths and weaknesses and what kind of shots to hit against other players. Also I feel like my net game has gotten better. I worked on it with my dad. I used to be a little afraid, but I’ve worked on my volleys and taking net shots. That’s been a big help to my game.”
Hojeibane fell back on her experience and skills to take her semifinals match. She just had to get back to using everything she has worked at this year.
”My shots just weren’t accurate enough,” she said. “When I would try to hit it to the corner, they weren’t getting there. They were in her hitting zone and it was easier for her to get them back. Once I started hitting it where I wanted, she started making more mistakes. And I also was more consistent. I also became more patient. I was rushing it in the beginning.”
Hojeibane was happy to come on strong, and is thrilled to be finishing her final scholastic season in such a memorable season. The Little Tigers already have a county crown, and they would like some state hardware to cap their year.
”It’s amazing,” Hojeibane said. “I’ve been on the varsity since sophomore year. Each year, we’re getting better and better. Last year, we only lost one senior. Practically our whole team stayed the same, which is good for the team skill-wise and also chemistry wise. Everyone is good friends and knows each other well.
”Being on the team and seeing the progression and seeing how we’ve done — we’re almost there and hopefully this year will be the year we take what we’ve been working for so long. Even if we don’t, I’m so happy with our team no matter what happens. I definitely have high hopes for the team. I know Millburn dropped down.”
The Little Tigers could run into Millburn in the Group III state tournament Thursday if they continue to win. PHS can get there with a win today, something that’s become a tradition for Hojeibane’s senior class.
”The goal this year was to do as well as we could considering we have the three seniors who have been crucial in our lineup the last three years,” Hibbert said. “Winning counties was a great step to starting a fantastic season. We’d like to continue that with the sectional championship that we’ve won the last couple years.”