Edison girls set sights on school-wins record BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer EDISON - With No. 1 singles player Erika Goldsmith leading the way this fall, the township high school girls tennis team will look to break the school record for wins in a season. The Eagles have tied the high mark of 12 wins the past two seasons falling one short of the elusive 13. "We'd really like to break the record, but it's going to be tough because we lost some key players from last year," Edison head coach Wesley Smith said. "Some players will have to step up and give it a shot." Last year's Eagle team finished 12-7-1 with the lone draw coming against South Brunswick. South Brunswick opted not to finish the match, preventing Edison from possibly setting a new record. In just her first year playing varsity tennis, Goldsmith was a big reason a school record was even in sight. As a freshman, Goldsmith went 17-8 with six of those eight losses suffered at the hands of J.P. Stevens' Lucy Zhang and East Brunswick's Anna Tarasova. "Erika lost to both girls three times each," Smith said. "They were quality opponents, and she played them well. Her goal this year is to improve every aspect of her game. She's playing real well right now, and we'd like to see her qualify for the state singles tournament." Senior Pam Panahon will make the jump from No. 3 singles to No. 2 singles this season. Panahon replaces Kelly Okengwu, who filled the No. 2 slot the past two seasons. "Kelly was maddeningly consistent and that's why she held the No. 2 position," Smith said. "Pam is a smarter and more consistent player and she should do well for us." With practice just getting under way last week, Smith and the Eagles are looking for someone to battle her way into the No. 3 singles position. Junior Raji Raman and senior Talissa Vorsaint look to be the frontrunners. Raman had a solid year in 2005 at No. 1 doubles, while Vorsaint saw action at No. 2 doubles. "They're battling it out for that No. 3 position," Smith said. "Both are hitting the ball well and the competitive spirit is good for the team." Senior Diana Hernandez teamed up with Raman at No. 1 doubles and looks to be in contention to fill a doubles slot once again. Vorsaint's partner from a year ago, junior Rucha Pandit, is also in the mix for a doubles position. "Those are the girls that look to make up the top seven," Smith said. "How they line up is yet to be determined." The Eagles will continue to train this week for the 3:45 p.m. season opener slotted for Sept. 8 against GMC Red Division rival J.P. Stevens. "That should be a tough match for both teams," Smith said. "They suffered a tough loss with three-time GMC champion Lucy Zhang graduating, but they still have Luba Smolensky and some other tough players. It should be a good test for us right away."