THIRD PARTY: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Kevin Yang fires a serve in a match this spring. Last Monday, senior star Yang won at third singles to help second-seed PHS defeat fourth-seed Summit 3-2 in the North Jersey 2, Group 3 sectional finals. The Little Tigers, now 18-2, will face South Group 3 champions Moorestown in the Group 3 state semis on the morning May 23 at Mercer County Park with the victor advancing to play the winner of the Montville-WW/P-South semi in the afternoon. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kevin Yang was thrust into the first singles position for the Princeton High boys’ tennis in 2017 during his junior season and benefitted from the challenge.

“Being first singles, I got a lot more good matches and a lot of experience,” said Yang, who played third singles as a sophomore but moved up the pecking order in 2017 when first singles star Noah Lilienthal and second singles standout Jerry Gu decided not to play for PHS due to other commitment.

With Lilienthal and Gu having retuned to the squad this spring, Yang has moved back to third singles, giving the Little Tigers a lift from that spot in the lineup. Yang has emerging as a force, wining neatly every match this spring and advancing to the Mercer County Tournament final in his flight.

Last Thursday, Yang came through as second-seeded PHS topped third-seeded WW/P-North 3-2 in the North Jersey 2, Group 3 sectional semifinals in a match played indoors at Jadwin Gym.

Yang posted a straight-set win over Sai Koritela, prevailing 6-4, 6-0.

“The groundstrokes were good, I played him in MCT in the semis and I knew it was about moving him around and making him run,” said Yang.

Yang made things a little tough on himself late in the first set but got back in a rhythm as he dominated the second set.

“I missed a little bit too much on the first set, I still closed it out,” said Yang. “I was calmer, more focused and hit through all of my shots. I was a lot cleaner.”

The Little Tigers weren’t surprised to make it through to the sectional final.

“It is very exciting but we expected to make it to the finals,” said Yang.

On Monday, PHS enjoyed another exciting win as its trio of singles stars each posted straight-set wins as the little Tigers  defeated fourth-seeded Summit 3-2 in the sectional final. PHS, now 18-2, will face South Group 3 champions Moorestown in the Group 3 state semis on the morning of May 23 at Mercer County Park with the victor advancing to play the winner of the Montville-WW/P-South semi in the afternoon.

PHS head coach Sarah Hibbert, for her part, knows that her singles standouts have set the Little Tigers apart.

“We have very strong singles players; it is proven by the fact that all three of them made it into the singles tournament where usually only the first or maybe the first or second singles players make it,” said Hibbert.

Having Yang at third singles is a luxury for Hibbert.

“Kevin had to step up when Noah and Jerry weren’t able to play for us; he had to step up and take the position of first singles out there so he got a lot of good experience,” said Yang

“That has really helped him. He has an incredibly strong game. It is just making sure that he stays focused and executes to the best of his ability because when he is on, he is incredibly tough.”

Wesleyan College-bound Noah Lilienthal displayed his ability and toughness in his 6-3, 6-2 win over Nolan Shah of WW/P-North.

“Nolan is a tough opponent as well; he is a very strong player,” said Hibbert.

“Noah really stepped up and played a great match today; he won the big points today. It is a little bit different inside. The court is a little faster and the conditions are a little bit different but he was able to play really well. We feel like he is almost a guaranteed point for us.”

At second singles, Gu showed why he is also pretty much a guaranteed point, rolling to a 6-2, 6-2 win over Martin Long of WW/P-North.

“Jerry played a great match as well,” said Hibbert of Gu, who won the second singles title at the MCT.

“His serves were really firing and he was covering the court well. He has been a rock for us this season as well.”

Coming into the sectional final, Hibbert sensed that PHS could prevail if it fired on all cylinders.

“It is great to get back there, we are in a very tough sectional,” said Hibbert.

“We have got a shot; our singles players can compete with the best of them. Hopefully we can stay motivated and focused and come out swinging.”

Yang, for his part, has enjoyed competing for PHS, no matter where he is in the lineup.

“It has been a really good experience; it has been really fulfilling,” said Yang. “I am really grateful for the opportunity to play four years.”