to Group III
Hornets feature several newcomers, move up
to Group III
By Warren Rappleyea
Staff Writer
Plenty of talent remains from a group that won the Tournament of Champions last spring, as the Holmdel High School boys’ tennis team returns to the courts.
Last season the Hornets were dominating, compiling a 30-2 record while winning the Shore Conference’s B North division, the conference tourney, the NJSIAA Central Jersey and All Group II titles, as well as the TOC.
This time around, Holmdel moves up to Group III, and coach Chuck Chelednik said that he expects a strong season from his team.
"We certainly want to win the division again," he said. "I think we’re capable of a good performance in the Shore tournament and I think we can make a run in Group III, although the competition is very tough."
Gone are tremendous players like Gordie Milchutsky and Paul Buyanovsky, who helped lead the Hornets to the TOC title — thus becoming the first public school team from the Shore to earn the title.
Incidentally, Milchutsky has continued to impress on the courts, leading the Rutgers University men’s tennis team with seven victories this spring heading into last weekend’s action. Milchutsky was sporting a 5-5 dual mark, playing all of his matches at the No. 4 position, while going 2-1 in tournament action at the Harvard Invitational. He was also 4-8 overall in doubles action, along with teammate Maarten Vissers, a senior from Holland.
This season the Hornets will start impressive newcomer Lawrence Zakrevsky, a freshman, at the No. 1 singles slot. The left-hander owns a good array of shots, hits the ball hard and is very quick, the coach noted.
Seniors Eric Lin and Chris Lee hold down the second and third singles posts, respectively. A second doubles pair last season, Lin and Lee were 10-3 as a team. Chelednik said both players have improved significantly. Lin has worked to upgrade his service, while Lee has displayed a solid forehand in practice sessions and scrimmages.
Mike Craparo and Steve Chu, both seniors, return as the first doubles team, where they were 19-4 last season.
Senior Rich Li and sophomore Julius Li, no relation, are at second doubles. In addition, freshmen Erich Ressig and Ken Hettler are likely to see action at doubles.
"Our strengths should be in singles and first doubles, where we have two experienced players," Chelednik said. "We may move some people around as the season progresses. Eric Lin and Chris Lee are excellent players, but they’re inexperienced at singles. We’ll have to see what happens."
Holmdel is scheduled to open the season at home this afternoon against Middletown South. The Hornets are home again tomorrow when St. John Vianney comes to visit.