EDISON — Despite losing five of last year’s top seven, the Edison High School boys tennis team will send another quality lineup to the courts April 1 when it opens the season against John F. Kennedy. Kennedy has consistently been one of the top teams in the Greater Middlesex Conference White Division while Edison has struggled to stay amidst the middle of the pack in the Red Division.
“We’re very excited to open the season with this match,” Edison head coach Wesley Smith said. “We’ve opened with JFK the last couple of years and they always have a strong team. Despite losing five seniors from last year’s team, we have a real chance of improving this season. It all comes down to consistency.”
Senior Dhruvin Vaidya appears ready to take over at No. 1 singles for the Eagles. Vaidya saw action at No. 1 doubles his junior season.
“We still have to finish up some challenge matches, but it looks like Dhruvin has earned the No. 1 spot,” Smith said. “He’s a lot more consistent this season and he’s also improved on his serve quite a bit.”
At No. 2 singles, senior Abe Gulama is likely to see action. Gulama was one of the top players on the Edison junior varsity team last year.
“Abe has worked very hard to make the transition to varsity,” Smith said. “He’s an aggressive lefty with a good serve and a very nice all-around game.”
Junior Rajat Khare played doubles alongside Vaidya last season and appears to be the front-runner to fill the vacancy at No. 3 singles.
“Rajat gets everything back,” Smith said. “He’s super-consistent from the baseline, but he can also take to the net when the opportunity presents itself.”
Senior Yash Thaker is currently No. 4 on the singles ladder and will likely team up with freshman Asa Brit at No. 1 doubles. Like Khare, Thaker can wear an opponent down with consistency.
“Yash will do whatever it takes to win a point,” Smith said. “He doesn’t beat himself and that really put pressure on the other player.”
Brit is a solid player with tremendous upside. The first-year Eagle possesses a solid service game and strong volleys.
“He’s a little inconsistent at times, but he can play at an extremely high level,” Smith said of Brit. “His potential is through the roof.”
Junior Angelo Musa gained varsity experience on the doubles court last season and should be in the mix to see action at either No. 1 or No. 2 doubles. Sophomores Steve Bromberg, Bharath Krishamurthi and Vzair Saleh are also vying to fill the doubles positions. Senior Mohsan Malik is a second-year player with the potential to take to the doubles court as well.
“Angelo has very nice ground strokes and consistent net play,” Smith said. “The sophomores seem to have improved their games. Vzair has got some incredible shot-making potential and gained some varsity experience last year. He’s making fewer errors and really fighting for a starting position. We definitely have some talent and I think it will be a great year. I’m seeing some of the best challenge matches I’ve ever seen, which is a great thing for the team.”