by Scott Clayton - Senior Staff Writer
DigitalSports.com
WEST LONG BRANCH " Five
sectional championships in a row sounds like the kind of accomplishment
that would get a sports program known. If this is the case for the
Rumson-Fair Haven boys tennis team, the word has not yet been spread
through the hallways at school. At least not according to junior first
singles player Sean Pahler.
"We're
just trying to get known in the school," Pahler said. "The school is
known as a girls basketball school. Everybody loves the girls
basketball team, the principal, the athletic director. If we win the
next two matches and win the group, we'll get known."
Pahler
was part of a dominating Rumson effort on Monday at Shore Regional as
Governor Livingston became the fifth different Rumson victim in the
last five years in the Central Jersey Group II final. The Bulldogs won
5-0 without dropping a set. There is still some catching up to do to
the girls basketball program, however, which has won eight straight
sectional crowns.
"We didn't really know anything about them (the Hilltoppers)," Pahler said. "We just knew that they won 3-2 over New Providence and lost once 3-2 to them. So we thought we should be able to handle them."
Rumson dropped New Providence, 5-0, in the semifinal round, again without losing a set.
The
first doubles team of Nick Kelly and Dave Seide was the first off the
court, throwing up a pair of bagel sets on Ryan Kalaley and Akash
Ahamed. Jack Riker and Ben Kelly at second doubles did not take much
longer to win 6-1, 6-1.
Junior
Clark Maloof notched the match's decisive point with a 6-3, 6-2 win
over Elish Le at second singles, before Pahler got off the court with a
6-2, 6-1 win over Greg Chilson and Greg Bach finished off a 6-3, 6-0
win over Mike Yang.
"We
come into the season saying we don't want to come away with less than a
sectional title," Rumson coach Don Russell said. "The nice thing is
that we're able to keep it fresh with a steady influx of players that
approach it as being a fun thing. They enjoy the concept of team tennis
and enjoy continuing the tradition."
For all its success in Central Jersey, however, Rumson is still seeking its first overall Group II title. The next step will take place at Mercer County Park at 11 a.m. on Thursday when the Bulldogs face the winner of Haddonfield and Sterling from South Jersey Group II, with a possible state final to follow in the afternoon.
"Every
year we've been there, Haddonfield has been there," Russell said. "I'd
have to say that this is an even team, top to bottom. We're not giving
away points. Bach was on second doubles last year, now he's doing well
for us at third singles. Our second doubles team was probably the
least-seasoned spot coming into the season, but they've come together
as the season has gone on.
"The thing I like is that every coach and referee comments on the sportsmanship of the team."
E-mail: clayton@digitalsports.com
|