NET WORTH: Princeton High girls’ tennis player Maddie Cahill-Sanidas makes a play at the net in a match last fall. Senior first doubles standout and team captain Cahill-Sanidas has provided good play and leadership as PHS has gotten off to a 7-0 start this season. In upcoming action, the Little Tigers host WW/P-S on September 27, play at Nottingham on September 28, and then start play in the Mercer County Tournament on October 1 at Mercer County Park. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

With six seniors having graduated from a Princeton High girls’ tennis team that won the Central Jersey Group III title last year, Sarah Hibbert feels like she is back to square one.

“We are starting fresh with a lot of young players,” said head coach Hibbert, noting that nine of 18 players in the program are new.

“You forget that you have to explain things to them. Maddie [Cahill-Sanidas] and Lindsay [Eberhart] are the two seniors and they are really working hard to get the group together, doing a lot of team building stuff.”

In Hibbert’s view, the newcomers can build on the program’s winning tradition.

“It is also exciting,” said Hibbert, who guided the Little Tigers to a 16-2 record last fall on their way to the state semifinals. “The last senior group did a lot of good things and I think this group can as well.”

PHS has a special player at first singles in freshman Christina Rosca. “Christina has a lot of experience; she has a complete repertoire of skills,” asserted Hibbert.

“She is a solid baseliner who is not afraid to go to the net. She works with private coaches outside of the team; she is always looking to get better.”

The Little Tigers boast another freshman standout, Chenchen Wang, who figures to give the team good work at second singles.

“Chenchen is very steady from the baseline; she is willing to stay in long rallies,” said Hibbert. “She is good at mixing up things and challenging an opponent’s game.”

At third singles, sophomore Katelyn Hojelbane appears to be ready for the challenge of playing at the varsity level.

“Katelyn was on JV last year; it was hard to crack the varsity lineup with the six seniors,” said Hibbert. “She is a good, steady player who has good groundstrokes.”

The steady presence of Cahill-Sanidas will be important as she pairs up with sophomore Rory Lewis at first doubles.

“Maddie has been our rock, both in terms of her play at doubles and as a captain,” maintained Hibbert.

“She is a great leader; she works very hard to make everyone comfortable. She is a great doubles player. I think Maddie and Rory have similar styles. Rory is also aggressive but younger. As she works her way into the lineup, it is good for her to have Maddie as her mentor.”

Eberhart and junior Allison Hubert should add a lot to the PHS lineup for their spot at second doubles.

“They played together on JV last year,” said Hibbert. “They have complementary styles and they are used to each other. I think they will make a smooth transition into the second doubles spot.”

Based on the early returns, it looks like the young PHS squad is making a seamless transition to the varsity level as the Little Tigers have produced a 7-0 start.

“It is always important to get off to a good start with counties and states coming up so quick,” said Hibbert, whose team topped Ewing 5-0 last Monday and hosts WW/P-S on September 27, plays at Nottingham on September 28 and then starts play in the Mercer County Tournament on October 1 at Mercer County Park.

“It is a particularly important for a young team to get off to a good start to get some confidence. We opened with Hopewell Valley and won 4-1 with each of the wins coming in straight sets. They have six seniors and I was not sure how our young players would hold up. I was thrilled with the way that went.”

If PHS can keep progressing, there could be some thrills on the horizon.

“I think we have a lot of potential,” said Hibbert “We have some tough weeks coming up with WW/P-N, WW/P-S, counties and states. I am happy that the girls are having fun. On a new team that is getting introduced to high school tennis, that is important.”