IN SERVICE: Princeton Day School boys’ tennis player Lex Decker fires a serve in a match last season. Senior star Decker has been a constant at first singles this spring for PDS as the Panthers have gotten off to a 3-1 start. In upcoming action, PDS has home matches against Hopewell Valley on April 18, Pennington on April 19, and Upper Canada College on April 21 before starting play in the Mercer County Tournament on April 23 at Mercer County Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It has been a bumpy ride so far this spring for the Princeton Day School boys tennis team as injury and various player absences have prevented it from putting its top lineup out on the court.

But reflecting the depth of talent in the program, the Panthers have still produced an encouraging 3-1 start with wins over Gill St. Bernard’s, Hun, and Peddie.

The constant that has been helping the Panthers keep on the winning track is the play of senior star Lex Decker at first singles.

“Lex is very good,” said PDS head coach Will Asch. “He is a very different player certainly than he was even as a sophomore. He was pretty strong last year but he is stronger, he is bigger, he is taller, and he is fast. He has a lot of skill.”

With sophomore standout Chris Delaney currently sidelined, senior Vivek Sharma has stepped up to second singles and has displayed some skill.

“Vivek is a strong player, he got some wins for us last year at third singles, hopefully that is where he will be playing again,” said Asch. “He is quite a bit better than last year.”

Freshman Aaron Phogat has been picking up some wins at third singles.

“He is a very good competitor and he is a good player too,” said Asch. “He plays USTA; I am sure he is ranked in his age group in the Middle States. He is quite good.”

The pair of freshman Aaron Chu and senior Riley Gudgel has combined to form a good tandem at first doubles.

“That is a very good team; that is one of the best first doubles teams we have had in a long time,” said Asch.

“They are both very strong players. It is not that often that you get two players who are really strong, either of them could be playing singles in many years. Riley did play singles for us in previous years.”

At second doubles, Asch has been mixing and matching to find the right combination.

“We have tried out several people and a couple of boys are emerging in Aneesh Kumar and Eric Leung,” said Asch. “They will probably be our second doubles as long as we don’t get a lot of players back.”

With the Mercer County Tournament starting on April 23, Asch is hoping that PDS can emerge as a dark horse.

“The Mercer County Tournament is very tough for us; we have to be in there with our best year and the other teams have to have a little bit of an off year,” said Asch, noting that Decker and the first doubles pair should be tough to beat.

“We have got too many people out right now. We may be in good shape for the Prep B tournament because hopefully we will get everybody back.”