(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: FINAL STROKE: Hun School senior star Lance Goulbourne lashes a forehand last week on his way to finishing third in first singles at the Mercer County Tournament. Goulbounre, who will be playing basketball at Vanderbilt University this fall, is savoring his last season of competitive tennis.

Hun’s Goulbourne Excels At MCT; Savoring His Final Shot at Tennis

Bill Alden

Lance Goulbourne is looking forward to starting his college basketball career at Vanderbilt in a few months.

The 6’7 Hun School senior is working out everyday in the gym to hone the skills that made him a highly-recruited swing man.

But the multi-talented Goulbourne has been spending his time on another court this spring, starring for the Raider boys’ tennis team as he wraps up his career in that sport.

Last Wednesday, Goulbourne took his last shot at glory in the Mercer County Tournament, facing top-seeded and two-time defending champion David Holland in the semifinals at first singles.

While Goulbourne couldn’t overcome eventual champion Holland, he did end things on a high note by posting a straight set win over Tim Wu of WW/P-N in the third-place match.

In reflecting on his MCT experience, Goulbourne was happy to finish with a win even of it wasn’t in the championship final.

“It was good to end on a winning note,” said Goulbourne. “I really wish I could have been playing in this match right here (referring to the title match).”

Goulbourne acknowledged that his commitment to basketball makes it tough for him to beat a year-round tennis player like Holland.

“It’s just hard, I play tennis two months out of the year,” said Goulbourne.

“It’s tough to beat someone who plays everyday. If I played tennis all year round, it would be a better match-up, it just frustrates me.”

Goulbourne is certainly not frustrated by his choice of Vanderbilt. “I was just most comfortable there,” said Goulbourne, who is in contact with the Vanderbilt coaches on a daily basis and has been playing in all-star games to help his college preparation.

“The academics are great, it’s great athletically. My parents loved it; it was the best move for us. When I visited there, I felt this is where I want to be. I just felt at home even though it is kind of far from home.”

The Brooklyn, N.Y. native has been happy to call Hun his home the last three years. “I’ve grown in every aspect,” said Goulbourne.

“When I came here I was frail, I was 6’6, 185 pounds. Now that I’m leaving school, I’ve put on a lot of weight, I’m up to 225. I’ve been living on my own; it has been good for me to develop that way. When I get to college, it won’t be as tough a transition since I’ve been away from home.”

Hun head coach Joan Nuse is amazed at the transition Goulbourne makes when he picks up his racket after hoops season.

“He’s really open to suggestions; when I tell him something, he picks it up and he can apply it,” said Nuse. “It’s kind of slick (what he’s accomplished playing two months a year).”

Nuse was happy with how Goulbourne performed in his final MCT. “I thought it went pretty well; I think sometimes it’s hard for him to get in a groove but I think overall he played well,” added Nuse, whose team plays at Blair Academy on May 1 before hosting Peddie on May 3 and Lawrenceville on May 6.

“He played well in the final match. I thought Tim Wu played well against him so it wasn’t like it was an easy match which was good; he had to work for it.

The Hun team put in some good work collectively as it finished fifth of 12 schools in the MCT team standings.

“I thought the team did well; I think that everybody played well in the opening round,” asserted Nuse, citing the efforts of Rob Solonick at second singles and the pair of Ed Park and Jason Kann at second doubles.

“I think they’ve done a nice job of starting to come together. I think that the more that our people get to play in different positions which they’ve done better, it will help them in the future.”

Goulbourne, for his part, is looking to make the most out of his last tennis season before he pursues his basketball future.

“I’m trying to enjoy every minute of it,” said Goulbourne. “Honestly it will probably be the last time I ever play competitive tennis so I’m just trying to have fun with my teammates and doing everything possible to win from here on out.”

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