Tennis players excel during '09 campaign

It is still Marlboro. Coach Dave Kretzmer'sM arlboro High School Mustangs prevailed in Shore Conference A North Division boys tennis again.

The Mustangs went 13-1 in division play in 2009 and shared the overall crown with Christian Brothers Academy of Lincroft (Marlboro was the outright public school winner in the division).

The Mustangs fashioned a 16-4 overall record in 2009.

Marlboro ended its season on a very sweet note on May 27, beating CBA in its final match to pull even with the Colts in the A North standings. The 3-2 victory avenged the Mustangs' only loss in the division.

The Mustangs got a big win from Brian Rau at first singles, 6-0, 6-1, over Randy Kondler, and then swept the doubles matches to secure the victory over CBA.

The highlight of the match was the three-set gem at first doubles between Marlboro's Richard Guh and Tony Bakshi and the Colts' Zach Wong and Sam Rispaud. The Mustangs prevailed in a third-set tiebreaker, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), to secure the victory for their team.

David Eisner and Cameron Barnett won 6-3, 6-4 at second doubles for Marlboro.

Unlike previous seasons when the Mustangs were a state powerhouse, the A North success was not a given this spring, making the championship that much more rewarding.

"We had a good season," said Kretzmer. "Our goal was to win A North. I thought it would be a challenge to win it."

Despite the team's 13-1 record within the division, it was a challenge. Consistent play from the doubles teams and at third singles from Adam Orchant proved to be the difference for Marlboro.

Overall, 2009 was a good year for tennis in the Freehold Regional High School District: all six schools qualified for the state tournament.

Colts Neck High School finished second behind Marlboro in the A North division and was 12-6 overall.

Freehold High School continued its winning ways in 2009, finishing second in the Shore Conference B North Division behind Ocean Township High School and once again reaching the state tournament.

Behind Antonio Grassia and Nick Grassi at first and second singles, Howell High School qualified for the Shore Conference Tournament and the Central Jersey state tournament for the first time in a long time. With the same cast as it had in 2008, Howell went from a three-win season to a berth in two postseason events.

Manalapan High School was led by Mitchell Rosenberg at first singles as the Braves improved from a four-win season in 2008 to qualify for the state tournament and the Shore Conference Tournament.

Freehold's Raj Verma, Marlboro's Brian Rau, Colts Neck's Charlie Yang and Freehold Township's Francis Jedlinski and Carl Jedlinski make up the News Transcript's 2009 All-Freehold Regional High School District Boys Tennis Team at singles.

The All-FRHSD doubles teams are Marlboro's Richard Guh and Tony Bakshi, and Marlboro's David Eisner and Cameron Barnett.

Verma, a four-year starter for the Colonials, had a very good season in 2009. He lost just twice outside of his two defeats at the hands of Ocean Township's Mike Lampi, the state champion. Verma is a very athletic player who covers the court well and scores a lot of points off a good first serve.

Yang turned the Cougars into a contender. The Colts Neck freshman solidified the team's singles lineup, one that could compete with any opponent in the division. He relied on accurate placement of his serve and a very good backhand to go 15-5.

Rau played well in what is the minefield of A North tennis. The junior played through injury at an All-Shore level. His dominant shot is his two-hand backhand. The Mustangs appear to be set at first singles for 2010.

The Jedlinski twins give the Patriots the best one-two punch at the top of the singles lineup. After a big freshman season, the Jedlinski brothers did not fall victim to a sophomore jinx. Each player qualified for the state tournament on the strength of a solid all-around game.

Francis Jedlinski dominated A North opponents with his powerful ground strokes, while Carl Jedlinski relied on his consistency. Francis was 15-1 and did not lose a match in A North, while Carl was 13-3 and won the second singles championship at the Monmouth County Flight Tournament.

Like all of Marlboro's championship teams over the years, the 2009 Mustangs had dependable doubles teams. Guh and Bakshi, both seniors, were a good fit for each other. Guh has a power game and Bakshi plays the angles well at the net.

Marlboro's Eisner (a senior) and Barnett (a freshman) became a very formidable team and the Mustangs were all but automatic at both doubles positions in A North play.

FRHSD tennis players who have earned honorable mention recognition for 2009 are Dillon Sullivan, Colts Neck; Sid Melkote, Freehold; Antonio Grassia and Nick Grassi, Howell; and Adam Orchant, Marlboro.