STRONG RETURN: Princeton High girls’ tennis player Spencer Watts displays a strong forehand earlier in her career. After taking a hiatus from the team last fall, senior Watts has returned to the squad and is playing at first singles. PHS, who improved to 4-0 with a 5-0 win over Hopewell Valley last Monday, hosts Ewing on September 19 before competing in the Mercer County Tournament which starts on September 23 at Mercer County Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Featuring a blend of battle-tested seniors and promising sophomores, the Princeton High girls’ tennis team has the formula for another winning campaign

In the first week of the 2019 season, PHS defeated Lawrence High 4-1 and then edged WW/P-North 3-2.

“We were definitely pleased with the opening two matches,” said PHS head coach Sarah Hibbert, whose team improved to 4-0 with a 5-0 win over Hopewell Valley last Monday.

“Lawrence and North are two strong competitors. North was missing their first singles that day due to an injury but they are still a very formidable team. We still had to work hard to win.”

The return of senior Spencer Watts, who took a hiatus from the team last fall due to other commitments, has made PHS stronger.

“Spencer brings more experience to the table as a senior,” said Hibbert. “She is excited to be back with the team. It is nice to have her energy and personality back out with us. She is one of the players who is willing to serve and volley and attack the net. A lot of players are perfectly content to stay on the baseline and slug it out but she is willing to come up and take control of the point.”

Moving up from playing first doubles in her debut season last year, sophomore Bella Lependorf has taken over the second singles spot.

“Bella does a lot of tournaments and hopefully after she plays a couple of more matches, she will really start feeling settled and comfortable in her spot,” said Hibbert.

“She has got nice ground strokes as well. She is willing to come and play some points up at net.”

Senior Nicole Samios will be playing at third singles for the second straight season.

“Nicole was a steady player in that position last year and we are certainly excited to have her back,” said Hibbett.

“She brings a wealth of knowledge. She is a good all around player, She is steady, she can move the ball around well but she can also attack and pick her opportunity well.”

A pair of sophomores, Lucia Marckioni and Sophia Kim, have seized opportunity at first doubles

“They played together last year on JV; I had initially looked to split them and put them with players with more experience,” said Hibbert.

“But after after watching them in challenge matches, I thought we would give them a shot to get that experience together, realizing that there may be some challenges. They are friends as well and there is the possibility of developing for the future.”

Hibbert has been rotating senior Sora Sato with senior Ilana Scheer and sophomore Isha Sahota at second doubles.

“All of three of them will see time this season, whether at doubles or filling in as one of the singles players,” said Hibbert, noting that Sahota played third singles in a 5-0 win over Steinert last Friday.

“It is trying to see where the chemistry is going and which player is feeling good. With Ilana being a senior, it gives her a chance to get matches in and with Isha being a sophomore, it gives her a chance to develop for the future. They have seen time so far and they will continue to see time.”

With the Mercer County Tournament starting on September 23 at Mercer County Park, Hibbert is looking for her squad to come up with another good performance at the competition.

“We definitely have some strong players this year; a lot will depend on how the singles draws shake out and how the doubles players come together,” said Hibbert.

“It will be interesting to see. Last year Hightstown took it and we came in second by only half a point over the third place team. I think there were four to five teams within two points. It was really close last year and I have the feeling that it is going to be as close, if not closer, this year.”