LINWOOD – The Mustang tennis team is 6-2 so far this season, with its only losses to Ocean City and out-of-conference Lenape.
Head coach Chris Connolly believes his team is looking pretty good with five returning starters, but the entire team is basically at new positions.
“We had five people come back,” he said. “They’re still trying to find their spots, but they’re working hard. They played a lot of tennis in the offseason. We’re getting better every day. That’s all I can hope for.”
Saketh Agava is at first singles this year, moving up from third singles last year.
“He’s playing really well. He had a good season for us last year at third singles. He’s really made the transition from three to one really well. I’m really happy for him,” Connolly said.
“Our No. 2 is Ben Rosenberg. He was one of our first doubles guys last year. He has been in the program for the last four years, so he is a hard-hitting kid who has really improved his consistency this year and has been a good leader for us.”
“No. 3 is Tristan Miller, who also was at first doubles last year. He’s a senior and his leadership skills are great. It’s great to have him there,” the coach said.
First doubles is senior Kussh Patel, who was at second doubles last year, and freshman Luigi Batioja.
“They’re playing really well for us. It’s going to be a nice test against the strength of Ocean City doubles.”
Liam Angelo, a junior, is back at second doubles, partnered with senior Arya Patel.
“I’m happy with everyone. They’re getting better every day. They’re working hard and they’re really nice kids. I think we are going to have a successful year. How successful we’ll see after today,” he said while waiting for the outcome of the match against Ocean City.
His team lost, 4-1.
Raider Charles DiCicco beat Agava at first singles, 6-1, 7-5. At second singles, Tracy Steingard beat Rosenberg 6-2, 6-1. At third singles, Miller defeated Ocean City’s Jackson Barnes 6-3, 6-0.
At first doubles, the match went into a tie-breaker after Mustangs Batioja and Kussh Patel won the first set 6-1, but Colin Bowman and Chase Bowman won the second by the same score. In the tie-breaker, the Bowmans prevailed 10-4.
At second doubles it was another close match as Luke Wagner and Joey Goodman won the first set over Angelo and Patel 6-2, but had to go to a tie-breaker in the second set before winning 7-6 (7-3).
After that loss, the Mustangs won three straight — 5-0 wins over Cedar Creek and Delsea and a 4-1 victory over St. Augustine Prep.
Connolly said the South Jersey Group III is going to be competitive with leaders including Ocean City and Moorestown, the defending champ.
“Our goals are always the same, try to compete for the conference and compete for South Jersey,” the coach said.
Last year the Mustangs finished with an 18-4 record, splitting matches with Ocean City (the team’s only loss in the CAL) and losing 3-2 in the South Jersey quarterfinals to Shawnee, which made it to the finals before falling to Moorestown. The only other losses last year were to out-of-conference teams Haddon Township and Eastern.
Mainland won the South Jersey title two years ago, beating Shawnee 4-1. The Mustangs also won South Jersey titles in 2017, 2016, 2002 and 1997, when they also won the state team championship.
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff