FAST EDDIE: Princeton High boys’ tennis star Eddie Percarpio chases down a ball in action last season. Senior Percarpio is moving up to first singles this season after playing at No. 2 last year. PHS starts its 2012 campaign by hosting Trenton on April 11 and Hopewell Valley on April 12 before playing at Robbinsville on April 13. The Little Tigers will then start play in the Mercer County Tournament on April 16 at Mercer County Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Sarah Hibbert has put together an intriguing combination in crafting her lineup this spring for the Princeton High boys’ tennis team.

“It is a mixed bag,” said PHS head coach Hibbert. “We have three seniors at singles but also three freshmen in doubles.”

In Hibbert’s view, that mix could yield something special. “We have the potential to do good things; it is a matter of getting people settled in their positions,” said Hibbert, who guided the Little Tigers to a 15-3 season in 2011 and a spot in the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional semifinals. “We looked very competitive in scrimmages against Lawrenceville and Princeton Day School.”

Hibbert is confident that senior Eddie Percarpio will be competitive at first singles, as he moves up from No. 2 and switches positions with classmate Robert Zhao.

“Eddie relaxed a little more this year; he is ready to accept the position of being No 1,” said Hibbert, whose team starts its 2012 campaign by hosting Trenton on April 11 and Hopewell Valley on April 12 before playing at Robbinsville on April 13.

“He is definitely a fighter. He works hard for every point; he never gives up. He has moved up every year; it good to have him leading the charge.”

It should be good for PHS to have Zhao at No. 2 after his time at first singles.

“The experience he got at first singles should help him have a successful season at No. 2,” said Hibbert.

“He is really solid on his ground strokes. While he seems relaxed on the court, he can fight when it matters most. He won a 16-14 tiebreaker that clinched the Lawrenceville scrimmage.”

The third senior at singles is Julian Edgren, who will hold down the No. 3 spot.

“Julian has worked really hard on his game,” said Hibbert. “He had a close challenge match with Rob. He will rise to the level of his opponent.”

The first doubles pair of senior Kevin Qiu and freshman Adib Zaidi should give PHS some high-level play.

“Qiu and Zaidi are friendly with each other,” said Hibbert. “Adib has a strong serve and good ground strokes. Kevin has been on doubles the past two years and has experience. The two of them play well together.”

At second doubles, Hibbert has matched up freshmen Tyler Hack and Rishab Tanga, due in part to the chemistry they have already developed.

“Hack and Tanga played a lot together in the preseason and they complement each other,” added Hibbert.

“One guy can tell what they other guy is going to do before he does it; they communicate well. They may not be battle-tested but it is important to be confident in your partner. They seem to work well together; they bring out the best in each other.”

If the PHS players can bring out their best on a consistent basis, the Little Tigers could be championship contenders.

“I would like to see us challenge for county and sectional titles,” said Hibbert, whose team will start play in the Mercer County Tournament on April 16.

“We’ll see how it goes when we get into matches; we have to see what the other teams have. I definitely think the doubles playing well is a key and having everyone contribute. We need three people to step up to every match and it could be different people in different matches.”