LINWOOD — The Mustang boys began the season 6-1, not an unfamiliar place for the Mainland Regional tennis team at this point, but they’re doing it with an unfamiliar lineup.
“We lost four starters from last year. We have a lot of new people and new positions,” head coach Chris Connolly said Friday while his team hosted rival Ocean City. “Actually, six of the seven positions are not the same from last year.
“It’s nice,” he added. “The boys have been putting in the work and we’re playing some good competition. I’m proud of the practice on the days away from the matches as well. We’re getting better every day.”
Junior Luigi Batioja is at first singles, moving up from second singles. “This is his third year in varsity. He’s just the pure tennis guy; he enjoys tennis. He’s got his hat backwards like the old-school ’90s tennis players, so it’s awesome for him,” Connolly said. “He’s done a very great job for number one.”
At No. 2 is Laksh Patel, moving up from first doubles. “He kind of leapfrogged into the singles and he’s doing a good job,” the coach said. “Going from doubles to singles takes a little time, but he’s definitely gearing up for that very intellectual game.”
Owen Medland, a senior, is the one player in the same spot as last year — third singles. “He got our first point in the South Jersey final last year against Shawnee, so he’s definitely good. He’s battling out right now against the number threes that are very strong.
“He’s a great leader on and off the court and he’s getting it done as well,” Connolly said.
At doubles, all four players are new to the varsity lineup.
Two juniors, Jacob Reynolds and Liam Blake, are at second doubles “and getting better every match,” and two sophomores, Ben Kahn and Vikram Bansal, are at first doubles. “They’re great,” Connolly said.
With four new players on varsity, the team is “hanging tough,” the coach said. “All these other teams are coming back with experienced people and for us, it’s work hard and try to get better every day and every match. I’m proud of the effort.”
Connolly noted the rivalry with Ocean City’s Red Raiders brings out the best in both teams. “It doesn’t matter who’s better at the time, it’s a battle. The kids are great on Ocean City and we look forward to it all the time.”
The Mustangs won a close one Friday. All the matches were finished in straight sets, with Mainland coming out on top, 3-2.
Batioja won 6-3, 6-4 at first singles and Medland won 6-3, 6-2 at third singles. The second doubles team of Blake and Reynolds also prevailed, 6-0, 6-3.
Patel lost at second singles to Red Raider Chase Bowman, 6-0, 6-2. Bowman was Ocean City’s first singles last year. Kahn and Bansal lost 6-1, 6-3.
Connolly said even with the revamped lineup, he hopes his team will be able to compete for the Cape-Atlantic League crown.
“We’ve been very fortunate to be very successful in the CAL,” he said. “It definitely makes us try to get better all the time and try to compete to win it. You know, if there’s a better team out there, good for them. If not, we’re going to try to beat that team. And the same thing with Group III.
“As you know, Ocean City won the South Jersey Group III title two years ago and we won it last year, so that’s another goal for us. Hopefully we can get to the point where in May we’re in the position to compete for it.”
The Mustangs’ only loss this season was to Middle Township, 3-2, but they have beaten Egg Harbor Township (5-0), Woodstown (5-0), St. Augustine (4-1), Schalick (5-0), Vineland (5-0) and now Ocean City.
They travel to Ocean City for the rematch at 4 p.m. Friday, April 24.
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
