(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: SMOOTH CUSTOMER: Princeton Day School boys’ tennis star Neil Karandikar displays his smooth form in action last season on his way to winning the Mercer County Tournament and Prep B individual titles at first singles. The Panthers will be depending on senior star Karandikar to lead the way as they go after a sixth straight Prep B team championship. In opening week action, PDS hosts Pennington on April 7, plays at Rutgers Prep on April 9, and then hosts Lawrence High on April 13.

PDS Boys’ Tennis Aiming for 6th Prep B Title; Needs Key Contributions From Supporting Cast

Bill Alden

Last spring, the Princeton Day School boys’ tennis team won its fifth straight Prep B state title by the skin of its teeth.

The Panthers ended up sharing the title with Gill St. Bernard’s and Montclair Kimberley, producing the first three-way tie in the tournament’s 22-year history.

Heading into his 27th season at the helm of the PDS program, head coach Rome Campbell knows things are going to be just as tough this spring.

“We are going to be challenged in every match,” said Campbell, noting the local public schools are talented and that the prep teams have a lot of quality players as well.

In facing those challenges, Campbell holds a key weapon with the return of first singles star Neil Karandikar.

“I think Neil is going to be a pretty prominent player this spring,” said Campbell of his senior standout who holds the Mercer County Tournament and Prep B individual titles at first singles.

“He looks very good, he has put on some weight. He plays a lot of tennis. He is a quiet kid and he sets a nice tone. Neil is respected by his teammates and his opponents.”

At second singles, PDS has a player in Max Gebhardt who should earn the respect of his opponents this spring. “Max is another 24-7 tennis kid who plays year round,” said Campbell. “He has good ground strokes and he keeps the ball in play. He has a pretty solid all-around game.”

The rest of the Panther lineup is unsettled as Campbell is looking at Ellis Ratner, Jeremy Lu, Jason Kilbourne, Jason Hirsch, Matt Kilgore, and Meade Atkinson.

“I had Ellis Ratner at third singles in our scrimmage,” said Campbell. “Lu and Kilbourne are at first doubles right now. Others in the mix are Jason Hirsch, Matt Kilgore, and Meade Atkinson. We could be changing things over the first few weeks.”

In order to win the close matches this spring, PDS will need members of it supporting cast to play starring roles.

“We have a lot of confidence in first and second singles,” said Campbell, whose team hosts Pennington on April 7, plays at Rutgers Prep on April 9, and then hosts Lawrence High on April 13.

“We need to get that extra point from No. 3 or the doubles to win matches. We need the other guys to step up.”

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