STROKE OF BRILLIANCE: Princeton Day School boys’ tennis player Lex Decker hits a forehand in a match last season. Junior star Decker is leading the way at first singles for PDS this spring. The Panthers, now 2-1 in dual match action, play at Hopewell Valley on April 19, at Pennington on April 20, and host Upper Canada College on April 22 before starting play in the Mercer County Tournament on April 24 at Mercer County Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Things weren’t going well initially for the Princeton Day School boys’ tennis team as it hosted Pingry last Thursday.

While PDS junior star Lex Decker was cruising to a straight set victory at first singles, the other four matches were very much in doubt.

“The only person who was really handling his opponent was Lex, everybody else was down big in the first set,” said PDS head coach Will Asch.

“All four courts came back. I was really, really pleased with the mental effort that the kids made and the positive sort of attitude. We have a lot of upperclassmen and that is helpful.”

The Panthers ended up pulling out a 3-2 win and showed their focus as they stuck around afterwards to break down the match.

“They also talked about it a lot after the match; they all wanted to talk about how they played and what strategies they used,” said Asch, whose team improved to 2-1 with the victory.

“It is not often you get kids talking about it, they are very interested in improving and talking about the strategy of the game. They are students of the game.”

First singles standout Decker has raised the level of his game. “Lex has really improved a lot this year,” said Asch.

“He moves a lot better and he hits the ball a lot harder. He is older and smarter.”

One of the team’s young players, freshman Christopher Delaney, figures to make a big impact at second singles.

“Christopher is at No. 2; he is a very good player,” said Asch.

“He is a big hitter but young. Freshmen are not always as well rounded. He is very, very good.”

Battle-tested junior Vivek Sharma, who has played a lot of doubles for PDS, has stepped up into the third singles spot for the Panthers.

“He is a big, strong guy; he volleys well, he has a pretty big forehand,” said Asch.

“He is very seasoned. He has a very good attitude as far as improving his game. He has got a lot of potential.”

The first doubles pair of junior Riley Gudgel and senior Jacob Chang has the potential to do some big things this spring.

“They are very enthusiastic, they have had some good success,” said Asch. “They are a very solid team.”

Seniors Noah Liao and Leo Nye bring experience and chemistry at second doubles.

“They are very close,” said Asch. “They really believe in each other. They lost the first set 6-2 against Pingry and they said we are going to win this match and they came back and they did.”

With the Mercer County Tournament starting on April 24, Asch is looking for his players to show that self-belief in the county competition.

“We are very good, we will be one of the better teams,” said Asch, whose team plays at Hopewell Valley on April 19 and at Pennington on April 20 before hosting Upper Canada College on April 22 as it tunes up for the MCT.

“I think we have two very strong singles players. We will see; it is hard for us to win that tournament.”