Metuchen girls tennis prepping for postseason
BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
The Metuchen High School girls tennis team improved to 4-2 with a win over South Amboy last week in its only scheduled match. The Bulldogs will look to carry this momentum into its meeting with Manasquan Oct. 10. The two teams are scheduled to meet in the opening round of this year's NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III Tournament.

No. 1 singles player Cori Zach upped her personal record to 4-2 on the season with a 6-1, 6-1 victory against her opponent from South Amboy.

"She's playing great tennis right now," Metuchen head coach Rob Strauss said. "She seems to always step up and play her best tennis when we really need it. When her first serve is on, she really dictates the match. We're working on getting her first serve percentage up so she can maintain that edge."

At No. 2 singles, Paula Clarkson improved to 3-3 on the season with a 6-1, 6-1 win against South Amboy. While it has taken some time for Clarkson to adjust to the singles court after shining on the doubles court last season, she appears to have turned the corner of late.

"She got off to a slow start," Strauss said. "Lately she's stepped up her game and she's playing her best tennis right now. She's much more confident and with the mental aspect of her game under control she can just go out and play tennis."

Junior Jen O'Neill earned her fourth win through six matches after topping her opponent from South Amboy 6-2, 6-1.

"Jen has gotten better with each match and she's playing well at the moment," Strauss said. "She's being much more aggressive. Now, she takes a weaker ball and uses it to approach the net and finish off points. She was a bit reluctant to do this earlier in the season, but now that she's seen it pay off, she's staying aggressive and reaping the benefits."

Against South Amboy, the No. 2 doubles team of Olivia Thomas and Danielle Volosin moved up to No.1 doubles and earned a 7-5, 7-5 victory. The move to No. 1 proved to be a sign of things to come as the Bulldogs suffered a blow this week with news that No. 1 doubles player Jessica Volosin will miss the remainder of the season with mononucleosis.

"We're definitely saddened and sorry to miss Jessica," Strauss said. "Fortunately, doubles is an area where we do have some depth."

No. 1 doubles player Alyssa Chan will move to No. 2 doubles where she will partner with either Chrissy Magruder or Faith Borden.

"We'll play some challenge matches and see where things line up with our doubles teams," Strauss said. "We have a number of players that are all capable of taking the court and winning matches for us."

Against South Amboy, Magruder and Borden teamed up for a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 2 doubles.

"We lost quite a few from last year's lineup," Strauss said. "So far, everyone has stepped her game and is playing well."