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(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption: IN SYNC: Princeton High's top doubles team of Joey Wu, left, and Brent Willig work together to chase down a shot en route to taking second at the Mercer County Tournament earlier this month. Last Thursday, the duo pulled out a pivotal three-set win to help PHS edge WW/P-N 3-2 in the semifinal round of the NJSIAA Group III Central Jersey Tournament. The Little Tigers were slated to face Ocean Township in the sectional final on May 25 with the winner advancing to the state Group III Final Four on May 27 at Mercer County Park.end of caption

PHS Boys' Tennis Edges WW/P-N To Advance in Group III Tourney

By Bill Alden

The Princeton High boys' tennis team cruised past WW/P-N 5-0 when the team met in the regular season.

Little Tigers' head coach Stuart Woody, though, warned his team that things were likely to be much tighter when PHS hosted the Northern Knights last Thursday in the semifinal round of the NJSIAA Group III Central Jersey Tournament.

"I told them that if they came flat, it was going to be a dogfight," said Woody. "WW/P-N was coming off a nice win over Hightstown and nothing would please them more than to play the spoiler to us in the sectional."

It didn't take long for WW/P-N to confirm Woody's analysis. While PHS singles stars Ilia Shatashvili and Chris Hoeland got off to quick starts on their way to straight-set wins, the Knights won the first set in the third singles, first doubles, and second doubles.

But with their hopes of winning another sectional title hanging precariously in the balance, the PHS first doubles pair of Joey Wu and Brent Willig rallied to earn a 1-6, 6-1, 6-0 win over WW/P-N's duo of Chris Hopkins and Doug Robi.

The win, which was the ninth straight for PHS, improved the team to 18-6 and earned it a spot in the Group III Central Jersey final against Ocean Township scheduled for May 25.

"I think they got angry that they got smoked in that first set," said Woody in assessing the play of the Wu and Willig. "They won 12 games in a row in the next two sets. They are seniors and they knew everything hinged on them. I think they are more confident."

The win, which was the ninth straight for PHS, improved the team to 18-6 and earned it a spot in the Group III Central Jersey final against Ocean Township.

PHS, which was the state Group III champion in 2002 and the state runner-up last spring, will need its supporting cast to step up if it is to get to the state final.

"I don't think there is any team in Group III that has a one-two combination like we do," said Woody, referring to his singles stars Shatashvili and Hoeland.

Shatashvili, the Mercer County champion at first singles is 19-0 this spring while Hoeland, the MCT titlelist at second singles, has posted a 25-1 mark.

"It comes down to whoever shows up at three, four, or five," asserted Woody. "I hope Ocean's strength isn't its depth. I'm not happy that it's come to this but that's how these kids grow up."