SO GOOD: Hun School girls’ tennis player Sophia Lin hits a forehand last week as she competed in the Mercer County Tournament. Sophomore Lin placed fourth at first singles, helping Hun take fifth of 19 schools in the team standings.  (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Going through his first Mercer County Tournament as the head coach of the Hun School girls’ tennis team, Antonio Balson gained some valuable knowledge from the competition last week.

“It is good to see where we stand,” said Balson, who previously coached at the Seacrest Country Day School in Naples, Fla.

“This is a good learning experience for me and the team. It is good place to  figure out where everybody is at.”

Sophomore Sophia Lin ended up in a good place for the Raiders, coming in fourth at first singles last Thursday to help Hun take fifth of 19 schools in the team standings of the competition held at the Mercer County Park tennis complex and won by Hightstown.

“Sophia had a heck of a first day; she played well over seven sets,” said Balson, reflecting on Lin’s performance in the preliminary rounds of the tournament on September 24.

“She didn’t get a bye so she played an eight-game pro set in her first match which she won. She dropped the first set and then went on to win the next two sets. It was phenomenal. For her third match, she again dropped the first set and went ahead and won the next two sets,. She played a tremendous round on the first day.”

While Lin didn’t have a great day in the final rounds, losing in straight sets to eventual champion Avnika Naraparaju of Hightstown in the semis and then dropping a three-setter to Dharsini Rangaswamy of Lawrence High in the third place match, Balson believes the sophomore has a lot of potential.

“She is a very good all around player,” said Balson. “She has a sweet serve. She moves well, she is very good on her feet. I am very happy with here.”

Balson is also happy with the progress being made by junior Jackie Drozd, who placed fourth at third singles.

“Jackie has made tremendous improvement; keep in mind the she didn’t even play singles last year, she was playing doubles,” said Balson.

“She worked super, super hard and really improved from last year. At this stage, she is working a lot on her mental game, adapting to different opponents, getting used to playing singles. It is a big jump for her to go from doubles to playing singles. She is doing well, I am very impressed with her performance.”

Balson, for his part, is enjoying a super start with the Hun program.

“Overall, I am happy to be here,” said Balson. “I am very happy with the team and the girls. They are very enthusiastic and a very tight-knit group.”