Tennis is the perfect outlet for Howell High School’s Barbara Podvorchani. “I love it,” the Rebels’ sophomore said. “I like winning, and I like competing.
“I like running hard to get to a shot and hitting a winner.”
After an outstanding freshman season, Podvorchani is undefeated in dual meets this year and has reached the third round of the NJSIAA Individual Tournament.
Every time she steps on the tennis court, Podvorchani brings with her a belief in herself that she is going to win.
“I have confidence in my game; you can’t win without confidence,” she said.
That confidence wasn’t always there, the first singles standout said.
“I had to build that up,” she said.
Podvorchani first started playing tennis at 7 when her dad, a tennis player himself, brought her to the courts. She competed in gymnastics — reaching Level 5 — while also playing tennis. When it was time for high school, Podvorchani had no trouble giving gymnastics up and staying with the sport she loves, she said.
During the early days of her tennis career, Podvorchani took her lumps in tournaments. Rather than being discouraged, it only made her more determined to succeed. She kept at it, learning and honing her game until eventually ending up being the topranked 14U junior player in the Middle States for two years as a 13- and 14-year old. She moved on to the USTA Eastern Junior Tournaments, where the competition is stronger. Playing better competition is making her a better player and helped to build her confidence up.
Versatility is what makes Podvorchani such a good player. At 5 feet 2 inches tall, the sophomore can’t out-hit every opponent, and she has an answer for that.
“My speed,” she said of her strength against opponents. “If I can’t out-hit someone, I’m capable of running back and forth keeping the ball in play until they make a mistake.”
In the winter, Podvorchani is a sprinter on Howell’s track and field team, and that speed comes in handy when it comes to covering the court.
Podvorchani is also a very astute player who can out-think her opponents.
Howell head coach Jennifer Baker believes that is what separates Podvorchani from the rest.
“While Barbara is a conditioned athlete, I believe it is her mental sharpness that defines her as a competitor,” Baker said. “She is a smart, fearless player who is able to outplay and out-think her opponents.”
Podvorchani likes to mix it up during a match. On one point, she can defend and will hit defensive lobs. Then on next point, she can rip a forehand winner. If she can end a point with an authoritative volley at the net, she’ll do that, too. Her first serve is good enough to help her control points from the start. “Barbara has a full arsenal on the court, and she knows precisely when and how to utilize each of her tools,” Baker said. “Her ability to adapt and play each point uniquely is unparalleled and allows her to consistently gain an edge over her competition.”
Another edge is her commitment to the sport, as she is always trying to better her game.
That is little comfort to future opponents.
When she plays opponents she is unfamiliar with, such as in the state tournament, Podvorchani doesn’t wait to see what kind of game they have. She believes in imposing her game on them.
“I like to start off strong,” she said.
That’s another reason she hasn’t dropped a match this year. Tennis is, of course, an individual sport. However, Podvorchani enjoys being part of a team.
“It’s fun,” she said, adding that she has great teammates at Howell.
Baker is happy that Podvorchani is part of the Howell team for more than her automatic point at first singles.
“Barbara is a pleasure to work with and a true team player,” the coach said. “Not only is she an asset because of her performance at her position, she eagerly works with each of our girls and has done a great deal to enhance the overall quality and morale of the Howell tennis program.”
Central Jersey tournament
Podvorchani kept her record spotless in the first round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV tournament at Marlboro High School. She scored the only point for the Rebels in their 4-1 loss to the thirdseed Mustangs.
Marlboro, which is in first place in the Shore Conference A North Division, followed up the victory over Howell with a 5-0 win over North Brunswick Township High School. Celine Lee, Raquel Rosen and Rachel Ma lost a total of four games between them in their singles matches, as the Mustangs advanced to the semifinals and were scheduled to host No. 7-seed Hunterdon Central Regional High School, which upset No. 2-seed South Brunswick High School, Oct. 9.
The sectional finals were scheduled for Oct. 13. Montgomery High School is the top seed.
Montgomery defeated No. 8-seed Freehold Township High School, 5-0, in the quarterfinals and No. 4-seed East Brunswick High School in the semifinals.
The Patriots edged No. 9-seed Old Bridge, 3-2, in the first round thanks to their doubles teams. Lauren McAlarney gave Freehold Township a point at second singles with her win.
Old Bridge won at first and third singles, leaving it up to Jillian Heun and Marissa Wu and Kelley Appow and Jenna Wong to clinch the win with their straight-set wins at first and second doubles.
Manalapan High School, the 15th seed in the section, lost to South Brunswick in the opening round, 5-0.
In Central Jersey Group III, Freehold High School defeated Colts Neck High School, 4-1, to reach the semifinals Oct. 9.
The Colonials, the No. 3 seed, swept the singles with Anjali Prabhat, Alexi Yu and Julia Pardee collecting wins. Peyton Conover and Sunjana Rajendran won at first doubles for the Colonials.
Freehold fell to No. 2-seed Hightstown High School, 4-1, in the semifinals.
Colts Neck, seeded fifth, got its point against Freehold at second doubles from Sonya Priven and Alexandra Snyder.
Both Freehold and Colts Neck scored 5-0 win in their opening-round matches. Freehold beat Allentown High School, and Colts Neck topped Brick Township High School.