By Rudy Brandl Sports Editor
With new girls at every position, things certainly will be different on the Hillsborough High tennis courts this fall. Not all the young ladies are new to the team, but the returning players have shifted to create a different lineup for the 2007 season.
The graduation of four-year first singles star Emily Mannix and fellow four-year starter Reciel Arribe, the Somerset County champ at third singles last year, have left veteran head coach Larry Johnson with some huge shoes to fill. Every team is different but replacing a four-year standout who advanced to the NJSIAA quarterfinals in her final two years will be no small task.
HHS started most of last year’s matches with a 2-0 lead since Arribe went undefeated in the regular season and Mannix defeated everyone except Bernards star Lindsay Clark. It’s unlikely that this year’s singles lineup will duplicate that amazing record.
”I think it’s going to be a competitive group, but it’s going to be a different team,” Johnson said. “Those doubles points are going to be more important this year. We’re going to do well at singles, but we might not win as much there. A lot of matches are going to be even. It’s going to be a challenge. We have to be prepared.”
Junior Paige Aiello, who performed very well at second singles in her first two years of high school, moves up to the No. 1 position. Aiello can hit the ball with anyone on the scholastic circuit and often overpowered her foes at second singles. She’ll have to adjust to a different brand of competition this year.
”She’s improved and she’s a year-round player coming off tournaments,” Johnson said. “She had more power than almost everyone she played last year, but she has to be smart and not try to pound them off the court. A lot of number ones have very big games. Paige has to be consistent.”
Mannix and Arribe weren’t the only HHS individuals to enjoy success during last year’s county championship season. The first doubles team of Caitlyn Katzelnick and Mae Ling Strang won the county title by knocking off the state championship duo from Pingry. Now, Katzelnick and Strang have moved up to round out the HHS singles lineup.
Katzelnick and Strang won their opening matches at Watchung Hills last week, so both players are capable of producing victories without a partner. Katzelnick, a senior three-sport athlete, will play second singles.
”She’s a well-rounded athlete who really understands competition more than most kids on the court,” Johnson said. “She can ride on herself, she doesn’t need to fall back on anybody. She hits the ball pretty flat and she attacks. She sees the court well and doesn’t mind coming to the net.”
Strang came to HHS as a transfer last fall and became an instant hit with Katzelnick. Johnson feels Strang’s game is more suited to singles and expects her to have a very productive season as the No. 3 player.
”She enjoys singles,” Johnson said. “The best part of her game is her powerful ground strokes. She’s got to be a patient player at third singles. She has to use her deep ground strokes to outlast a player.”
Several players were competing for the four varsity spots in the doubles lineup late last week. Senior Caitlin Burton and junior Rachael Johnston made up the first team in Friday’s match vs. Watchung, while seniors Alary Price and Angela Chen played second doubles. Price is the only returning varsity player of the four.
Others who hope to challenge for court time in doubles include senior Allyson Swedler, junior transfers Lisa Le and Linda Le, sophomore Lauren Wisbeski and freshman Eileen Li.
”Each team is different and that’s the way I approach it,” Johnson said. “The landscape has also changed. Each team is different. Bridgewater and Montgomery have freshmen coming in and other kids we know nothing about. The competition is going to be even. It’s just a matter of playing good, consistent tennis.”
