(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: FINAL SET: Princeton Day School boys’ tennis star David Holland smacks a forehand in a match last spring. Senior star Holland, who will be playing at Duke next season, is looking to end his PDS career with a bang this spring. Coming off a 21-0 season, Holland will be chasing his fourth straight Prep B first singles title and his third consecutive Mercer County crown. PDS starts its season with a home match against Rutgers Prep on April 1.

With Senior Holland Making Farewell Tour, PDS Boys’ Tennis Set for Memorable Spring

Bill Alden

This spring will be special for the Princeton Day School boys’ tennis team as singles superstar David Holland makes his farewell tour.

Coming off a 21-0 season, the Duke-bound Holland will be chasing his fourth straight Prep B first singles title and his third consecutive Mercer County crown.

Longtime PDS head coach Rome Campbell is looking forward to seeing Holland write a stirring final chapter to his career. “David has taken his game to a new level; physically he’s gotten bigger,” said Campbell.

“He’s 6’2 and has put on some weight. He’s much stronger on his groundstrokes and he has more pop in his serve. He’s ready for a big year; he will be playing in the bigger matches.”

But PDS, which has won three straight Prep B state team titles and placed second in the MCT team standings last spring, is hardly a one man-show with sophomore Neil Karandikar back at second singles, and senior Patrick Murphy and junior Vinay Trevedi teaming up at first doubles.

To get his team battle-hardened, Campbell has lined up some formidable foes this spring. “We’ve beefed up the schedule, we picked up Bridgewater-Raritan, Hillsborough, and Lawrence,” said Campbell, whose team went 15-1 in dual matches last spring and will open 2008 by hosting Rutgers Prep on April 1.

“We have Delbarton at home. We have the Prep A teams like Lawrenceville, Peddie, and Hun. We have WW/P-S on April 4; that will be a good test for both teams.”

Campbell believes that sophomore star Karandikar will be up to most tests this spring and beyond.

“He won the Middle States Tennis Sportsman of the Year award; he’s quite a gentleman,” said Campbell of Karandikar, who won the titles at second singles last year in both the MCV and Prep B tournament.

“He’s also taller and bigger; he has improved from last year. He’s been playing in a lot of tournaments and he has been training hard in the fitness center. He will be a nice successor to David.”

PDS believes it has a nice combination at first doubles in Patrick Murphy and Vinay Trivedi.

“We are confident they can have a big season and pick up some wins for us,” asserted Campbell.

“Murphy is a senior and he’s a tough competitor. Vinay is playing well; he has also gotten into the fitness routine.”

Campbell is hoping sophomore Alvin Song can get into the winning routine as he moves up to third singles from first doubles.

“He’s the big question mark,” added Campbell. “It’s his first year playing singles for us; he’s mainly played doubles in the past. He’s certainly improved himself.”

At second doubles, Campbell is considering Jeremy Lu, Matt Castello, James Cole, David McCourt, Ellis Ratner, and Jason Kilbourne as he looks to find the right combination at that spot in the lineup.

With Holland and Karandikar at the top of the lineup, Campbell has some lofty goals for his team.

“We want to do as well as we did in the MCT last year; in the preps, we feel that we are going to be a contender to beat,” said Campbell.

“It’s going to be a special season with David and Neil on the team. We’d like to match our dual meet record of 15-1 but that will be tough.”

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