(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski) caption: THIRD PARTY: Hun School boys’ tennis player Chris Seitz chases down a ball in action last season. The junior star advanced to the first singles final at the Mercer County Tournament where he fell to Kenny Zheng of Hopewell Valley 6-4, 6-3. It was Seitz’s third straight runner-up finish in first singles at the MCT.

Junior Star Seitz Makes 1st Singles Finals Again; Leading Hun School Boys’ Tennis to 6th at MCT

Bill Alden

Chris Seitz was hoping that the third time would be the charm for him when it comes to the Mercer County Tournament.

Last Wednesday, the Hun School junior boys’ tennis star advanced to his third straight championship match at first singles and badly wanted the title after coming in second the last two years.

Seitz brought a comfort level into the final against Kenny Zheng, having battled his foe from Hopewell Valley on even terms in frequent matches over the years.

“We play together all the time,” said Seitz. “Every single day the winner changes, it is whoever is playing better today.”

Unfortunately for Seitz, Zheng ended up having a better day in the final at Mercer County Park, winning 6-4, 6-3.

In assessing his performance, Seitz saw some positives but acknowledged that he struggled at some critical moments.

“My serve was on; I liked that it was a really good weapon,” said Seitz. “I was hitting the ball well but I messed up on the key points. I made a lot of errors, especially when I had opportunities on big points.”

Seitz’s improved conditioning has helped him maximize his opportunities on the court so far this spring.

“Just being in better shape is the biggest key for me,” said Seitz. “I have been playing more tennis. I played a lot over the summer; I was keeping up my schedule with tournaments.”

With the state Prep A tournament on the horizon, Seitz is hoping to help Hun pick up some more wins down the stretch.

“It’s been going well, I had a big win against Blair,” said Seitz. “I have been playing solid lately. Hopefully our team can keep doing well and get a couple of more wins.”

Hun head coach Todd Loffredo liked the way his players performed at the MCT as it ended up sixth of 17 schools in the team standings.

“I think our team did pretty well,” said Loffredo. “We were just joking that we have the best of the worst because four of the kids did really well in the backdraw (the consolation round). The first doubles (Dobrin Mitev and Andrew Katz) and third singles (Peter Sendzik) won the backdraw, second singles (Matt Head) was second, and the second doubles (Adam Greenfield and Nealon Suthersan) came in third. I was proud of how everyone played.”

Loffredo was certainly proud of Seitz’s play. “When I talked to Chris this morning and asked him what he thought, he said it was going to be close either way,” recalled Loffredo.

“They play all the time and it was just that Kenny was a little more consistent today. He came through so good for him.”

In Loffredo’s view, Seitz has the game to keep coming through for the Raiders.

“Even from a year ago, it is much better,” said Loffredo, reflecting on his junior star.

“Chris is more fit, he is stronger, faster. He lost some fat and put on some muscle. He works really hard; he is playing indoors all the time. Last year, I thought of him as a tennis player; this year I think of him as an athlete because he is in really good shape.”

Dealing with the competition at the MCT should help the Raiders get in better shape collectively.

“It seems like we find our stride at the Mercer County Tournament,” said Loffredo, whose team fell to Rutgers Prep last Monday and will play at Notre Dame on May 6, host Peddie on May 7, and then play at Scotch Plains on May 9.

“It is kind of a midpoint and now that the weather is getting better, we are able to have more consistent practices and matches. Hopefully this is a good springboard for that.”

Seitz, for his part, is hungry to take that final stride at the MCT next spring.

“I love this tournament; it is the best,” asserted Seitz. “I was looking for a breakthrough this year but there is always next year.”

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