Scott Jacobs

Holmdel High wins fifth straight state title in girls’ tennis

Holmdel High School won its fifth straight NJSIAA Group 2 girls’ tennis tournament championship on Oct. 18 at Mercer County Park, West Windsor.

Holmdel beat Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, 3-2, in the Group 2 state title match and Haddonfield Memorial High School, 4-1, in the semifinals.

The Hornets won another state title despite losing four of seven starters from 2017. Two Holmdel singles players, Victoria Vought at first singles and Natalie Cipriano at third singles, were doubles players last year. They won three of their four combined matches on Oct. 18.

All four Holmdel doubles players, Melanie Chen, Sydnie Nied, Riya Shah and Chloe Hansen, are either freshmen or sophomores. They also took three of their four combined matches at Mercer County Park.

Now, Holmdel will try to win the Tournament of Champions, which starts on Oct. 21 at the Garden State Tennis Center in Edison. The Hornets have not won the T of C since 2005.