 (Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) DOUBLE PLAY: Princeton High boys’ tennis doubles player Ben Weingarten slashes a forehand in action last year. Senior star Weingarten and classmate Ari Silver have teamed up again at first doubles this spring and have helped PHS produce a 3-0 start. In upcoming action, PHS plays at Nottingham on April 9, hosts Notre Dame on April 11, and then plays at Delbarton on April 12 and at Allentown on April 14. |
There are plenty of distractions that can befall high school students in the spring of their senior year; from college choices to the prom to graduation celebrations.
With the Princeton High boys’ tennis team featuring five seniors in its seven-player lineup, PHS head coach Sarah Heyman is hoping that her veterans can keep their focus when they are on the court.
“I hope the reality of what we could do will sink in,” said Heyman, who guided the Little Tigers to a 17-4 record and another appearance in the Central Jersey Group III sectional final.
“This group has been together for four years, they have all come into their own. We did really well last year and some of the other teams have lost people.”
If the first week of the season is any indication, PHS seems bent on being a dominant team this spring. The Little Tigers have produced a 3-0 start, winning each match by 5-0 scores with the latest whitewash coming in a win over Hopewell Valley last Monday.
The top of PHS’ lineup features two battle-hardened seniors, Matt Ullmann at first singles and David Zheng at second singles.
“Matt is playing well, he is hitting the ball deep and moving it around the court,” said Heyman, who is using talented sophomore Kevin Cen at third singles. “He is using all aspects of his game. David is looking good, all of the guys have worked hard.”
Another pair of seniors, Ben Weingarten and Ari Silver, figure to be a force for PHS at first doubles. “It should be a strong point for us,” said Heyman, referring to her first doubles pair. “Ben and Ari have played a year together. Ari is really consistent and Ben will play up to the level of his partner.”
A fifth senior, James Smits, is rounding out the PHS lineup, playing with sophomore Aaron Wishnick at second doubles.
While Heyman is wary of making predictions, she feels her seniors could go out with a bang. “This could be our best year in a while,” said Heyman, whose team was slated to play at Nottingham on April 9, host Notre Dame on April 11, and then play at Delbarton on April 12 and at Allentown on April 14.
“I always have high expectations but I will let the guys’ performances speak for themselves. We have a good shot at a great season, the guys are veterans and they have worked hard for four years. I hope they do some great things this season.”
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