SINGULAR TALENT: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Noah Lilienthal hits a forehand on the way to winning the first singles title at the Mercer County Tournament. Sophomore Lilienthal is back in the top singles spot for PHS, which has gotten off to a 6-1 start in 2016. The Little Tigers host Notre Dame on April 20 and play at WW/P-N on April 22 before getting into action in the Mercer County Tournament on April 25 at Mercer County Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Youth is being served at the top of the lineup this spring for the Princeton High boys’ tennis team.

Sophomore star Noah Lilienthal is back at first singles with promising freshman Jerry Gu at No. 2 and sophomore Kevin Yang moving into No. 3 after playing doubles last year.

In reflecting on her 2016 squad, PHS head coach Sarah Hibbert is confident that it can come of age quickly.

“We really have a fairly young team this year,” said Hibbert. “We definitely have the potential to have a very strong team. We have a great one-two punch and we have strong singles all around.”

The Little Tigers ran into a strong team when they fell 4-1 to WW/P-S in its season opener on April 5.

“Obviously it is tough to begin your season with some of your toughest competition before everyone is fully match ready and unfortunately we didn’t  have two of the people in the doubles lineup that I would have liked to have had due to injuries and illness so that didn’t help,” said Hibbert, who got a win in the match from sophomore Noah Lilienthal at first singles as he topped Kabir Sarita 6-4, 6-3.

“It is early on in the season; it is difficult to know where you are and being tested like that in your first match is tricky. Obviously the highlight was Noah. He had a great showing, that was a good start for him.”

Lilienthal, who won the first singles title at the Mercer County Tournament last spring, should produce a lot of highlights for PHS this season.

“His shots looked crisp he kept his unforced errors really low and he was playing a really good all-around game,” said Hibbert in
assessing Lilienthal’s play against WW/P-S.

“I think it definitely helps, having the season last year. The thing is with all of these top guys, they all train together and know each other pretty well. It is not a surprise or anything. He beat Kabir once and he lost to Kabir once last season.”

At second singles, the Little Tigers boast another top player in freshman Gu.

“He trains very hard as well,” said Hibbert, noting that a second freshman, Simon Hwang, will also see action at singles this spring.

“He is a very talented player. He has good ground strokes and good all-around consistency. He has a nice serve, he is tall for a freshman as well so he has good power and pace on his shots. He has worked hard and he is a good tournament player.”

Hibbert is expecting good things from Yang at third singles. “Kevin Yang will be our regular third singles,” said Hibbert, whose team topped Nottingham 5-0 last Monday to improve to 6-1.

“He has good power on his shots and a good variety to his game as well. He is willing to mix up his style to challenge opponents.”

At doubles, Hibbert is looking at a variety of options. “We have the potential to have good depth in our doubles as well if we can have everyone healthy and in the lineup,” said Hibbert, noting that Matt Danielson, Jon Itzler, Richard Yang, Ares Alivisatos, and the Lin brothers, Andrew and Eric, are in the mix for the four doubles spots.

With the Mercer County Tournament starting on April 25 at Mercer County Park, Hibbert believes her squad has the potential to be a title contender.

“I think we should definitely be able to compete well,” said Hibbert, whose team will tune up for the county competition by hosting Notre Dame on April 20 and playing at WW/P-N on April 22.

“Obviously South (WW/P-S) has proven early that they are a tough team but we should have a good shot, especially if we have the chance to go a little bit more on our doubles before then and get some of the missing guys in the lineup a little more. You never know, it matters who turns up and plays the best tennis that day.”