BOYS TENNIS - Rumson Advances to Sectional Final

By Nick Kelly, DigitalSports Correspondent

       RED BANK- Rumson-Fair Haven's 4-1 victory over fourth-seeded Shore Regional in the Central Jersey Group II Tournament on Thursday was anything but easy.
      “We dodged a bullet,” said Rumson coach Don Russell.
      Shore Regional, led by freshman star Mike Lippins, came into the match as underdogs to top-seeded Rumson. Even though they lost 4-1, Shore definitely managed to give Rumson a run for its money.
      Rumson’s junior third singles player, Greg Bach, was the first off the courts, posting a 6-1, 6-0 win over Shore’s Dan Patrone. This was Bach’s second big win in two days, as Rumson defeated Ocean yesterday to win the Shore Conference Tournament.
      Shortly after the conclusion of Bach’s match, Shore first singles player Mike Lippins proved again he is among the best in the Shore by handing Rumson’s Sean Pahler a 6-1, 6-0 defeat. Although Lippins’ win would turn out to be the only point Shore would earn on the day, the match was far from over.
      Second singles was the next match to finish, with Rumson’s Clark Maloof beating Eddie Ebani 6-0, 6-3. With Rumson up 2-1 and both doubles teams up one set, a victory looked to be all but sealed. As the next hour and a half would go to show, Shore was not ready to give up.
      After winning the first set 6-3, Rumson’s first doubles team of Ben Kelly and Evan Steadman dropped the second set 4-6.
      “I think we just lost focus when we saw the team was up 2-1,” said Kelly.
      Almost simultaneously, Rumson’s second doubles team of Mike Richards and Zach Goldstein lost their second set 4-6 after winning the first 7-5.
      As tension mounted among those watching, Russell called on his doubles players to “pull it together,” and Kelly and Steadman were the first to answer.
      “The match was on the line, and it was up to one of our doubles teams to come up big. I felt confident that we could win, and I thought it needed to be us,” said Kelly.
      Kelly and Steadman jumped out to a quick start in the third set, breaking their opponents’ serves early and holding throughout the set. Rumson players and fans watching breathed a sigh of relief as Kelly and Steadman closed the third set 6-2 and sealed the match.
      Not long after, Richards and Goldstein won their third set 6-4, ending the match.
      “Shore’s doubles are very good,” said coach Russell, “and they deserve a lot of credit. We had everything to lose today.”
      Rumson will face Governor Livingston in the sectional final on Monday the 19^th. 

Around the Shore

      Several Shore teams were eliminated from their state tournaments today, including Toms River North (3-2 to Lenape), Holmdel (3-2 to West Morris Mendham), and Monsignor Donovan (3-2 to CBA). Teams that advanced include Point Pleasant Beach (4-1 over Pitman), Ocean (4-1 over Lawrence), and Pinelands (3-2 over Shawnee).