By Bill Alden

When singles stars Noah Lilienthal and Jerry Gu decided to not play for the Princeton High boys’ tennis team last spring due to other commitments, it gave other players the chance to step up and gain some valuable experience.

PHS ended up going 14-5 in 2017, advancing to the North 2 Group 3 sectional quarterfinals as Kevin Yang starred at first singles, giving the squad some yeoman’s work in that spot.

With senior Lilienthal and junior Gu having returned to the fold this spring at their first and second singles spots, respectively, and senior Yang having shifted to third singles, the Little Tigers have the potential to do some big things this spring.

“When you have two players like that at the top of the lineup, it is great,” said PHS head coach Sarah Hibbert.

“Kevin had a great season for us at No. 1 last year; he worked really hard and stepped up. When you have a talent like his down at third singles, it definitely strengthens your lineup.”

The Little Tigers produced a strong performance in a losing cause as they fell 3.5-1.5 to WW/P-South on April 9 with Yang winning at third singles and Lilienthal splitting two sets of his match against Pirate star Robert Siniakowicz before it was called a draw after the Pirates clinched the team win.

“It was an incredible match, especially at first singles,” said Hibbert reflecting on the clash against South. “That was probably close to three hours long for just the two sets.”

The Wesleyan University-bound Lilienthal has been displaying some incredible shotmaking this spring.

“Noah looks great; he has an all around game,” said Hibbert. “He has a great serve, he has impressive groundstrokes, and he has a one-handed backhand that is not the most common sight in tennis, but he has a very impressive one.”

Gu has made an impressive return at second singles. “Jerry has looked very good as well; he was sick for a little bit during preseason so he is getting back to top form,” said Hibbert.

“He played really well against Alex [Yang of WW/P-South], unfortunately he cramped in the third set.”

Yang has continued to show good form, starring at third singles as he builds on last year’s progress.

“Kevin has worked really hard on his game as well,” said Hibbert. “He started out making some uncharacteristic mistakes against South; he didn’t play as well as he would have liked to on the beginning of the match. He was able to turn it around and close it out.”

A trio of juniors Simon Hwang, Sameeer Joshi, and Aryaman Babber along with Richard Yang have been seeing action at doubles.

“We haven’t had many practice days and we haven’t been playing as many matches so it has been an interrupted season,” said Hibbert. “Those four guys are in the mix, we are still trying to find the best pairing. We are looking to solidify them going forward.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming Mercer County Tournament, which starts on April 23, Hibbert sees her team as a solid title contender.

“We are definitely in the mix; when you have a 1-2-3 punch like we have in singles, we have the potential to do well,” said Hibbert, whose team is 4-1 in dual match play and hosts Notre Dame on April 20 as it prepares for the MCT. 

“There are a lot of strong singles players in the county. It is going to come down a lot to draws, seeding as well as doubles. It matters who steps up and who is feeling a little more on that day. It should be an interesting tournament.”