NO BACKING DOWN: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Melvin Huang hits a backhand last week at the Mercer County Tournament. Senior star Huang won the title at second singles as PHS finished second in the team standings at the event. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

True to form, Princeton High boys’ tennis player Melvin Huang did it the hard way as he took a grueling route to winning the second singles title at the Mercer County Tournament last Thursday.
In the morning, senior star and top-seeded Huang outlasted Shritan Gopu of WW/P-South in a semifinal contest decided by a 7-point match tiebreak as he won 5-7, 7-6, [7-3].

“I wasn’t focused on the final, I was just focusing on every point,” said Huang, known for his relentless work ethic and propensity for grinding out wins. “I tried flattening the ball out a little more, making him take lower. He starts cramping up so that also helped. As I started gathering momentum, I tried to focus on finishing the match. I was getting satisfied getting to 5-all and then getting to a tiebreak.” more

LIGHTING IT UP: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Patrick Kenah runs past a foe in recent action. Last Saturday night, senior star Kenah tallied five goals and six assists to help PHS defeat Notre Dame 21-11 under the lights at Mercer County Community College. The Tigers, who improved to 7-4 with the win, play at Summit on May 4 and at Hightstown on May 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With Saturday night lights shining as the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team faced Notre Dame last weekend at Mercer County Community College, Patrick Kenah and his teammates wanted to put on a show.

“So many people put so much time and work into getting us this venue under the lights,” said PHS senior star attacker Kenah.  more

HITTING MILESTONES: Hun School softball player Lexi Kobryn smacks the ball in a game last season. Senior star and Villanova commit Kobryn recently hit the 500-strikeout and 100-hit marks in her career. She is the first player in program history to have both 500 strikeouts and 100 hits. She is the only Raider with 500 strikeouts and just the second to have 100 hits in addition to Lauren McQuade. Last Wednesday in a 15-0 win over the Hill School (Pa.), Kobryn added to her totals as she had seven strikeouts in a four-inning one-hitter and contributed two hits. Hun, which swept a doubleheader against Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) last Saturday, winning 8-0 and 16-0 to improve to 11-1, plays at Pingry on May 2 and at the Blair Academy on May 4. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In the last couple of weeks, Lexi Kobryn has cemented her status as one of the greatest players in the proud history of the Hun School softball program.

On April 18 in a 5-0 win over Hightstown, senior righty fireballer Kobryn recorded her 500th career strikeout, the first Hun pitcher to reach that milestone. more

FINAL PUSH: Hun School girls’ lacrosse player Ava Olender heads to goal in recent action. Last Saturday, senior star and Tufts University commit Olender tallied four goals and an assist to help Hun defeat the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) 18-9. The Raiders, who topped Hightstown 12-9 last Monday to improve to 7-4, play at Blair Academy in the Prep A state quarterfinals on May 1 and then host Hopewell Valley on May 4. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Ava Olender is bringing a carefree approach this spring into her final campaign for the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team.

“I am just letting go this season, I know it is my last one so I am just here to have fun and have the best time,” said senior star Olender. “I want to lift all of my other teammates up and leave a positive impact on the program as a whole on my way out.” more

ATTACK MODE: Hun School boys’ lacrosse Brett Stelmach races past a Princeton Day School defender last Thursday. Junior attacker Stelmach tallied three goals and two assists to help Hun defeat PDS 16-3. The Raiders, who edged Gill St. Bernard’s 9-8 in overtime last Saturday to improve to 6-4, host Perkiomen School (Pa.) on May 4 and then play at Christian Brothers Academy on May 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Starting last week with a lopsided 18-7 loss to powerhouse Lawrenceville, the Hun School boys’ lacrosse team could have been discouraged.

But Hun junior attacker Brett Stelmach believes that the April 23 setback could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Raiders. more

ALEX THE GREAT: Princeton High baseball player Alex Winters takes a cut in recent action. Last Thursday, senior center fielder Winters went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs to help PHS defeat the Princeton Day School 10-0. The Tigers, who fell 15-9 to Allentown last Monday to move to 4-5, host Hopewell Valley on April 26, play at Colts Neck on April 27, hosts Franklin on April 29 and plays at Lawrence on April 30. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Alex Winters lived up to his role as the catalyst for the Princeton High baseball team with aplomb as it hosted Princeton Day School last Thursday.

Senior center fielder and leadoff hitter Winters started the bottom of the first inning by stroking a single and stealing a base to ignite a two-run rally.

“That is always the goal, getting a good start especially with the top of our lineup,” said Winters. more

MAD GOOD: Princeton High softball player Maddie Castillo takes a swing in a game earlier this season. Last Friday, senior Castillo went 3-for-4 with a run in a losing cause as PHS got edged 8-7 by Hopewell Valley. The Tigers, who lost 11-1 to Allentown last Monday to move to 2-5, play at Florence on April 25 before hosting Lawrence High on April 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Maddie Castillo may seem to be a little old to be playing with dolls but she was all smiles as she clutched a Barbie after the Princeton High softball team hosted Hopewell Valley last Friday.

PHS senior third baseman Castillo received the doll after going 3-for-4 with a run in a losing cause as PHS got edged 8-7 by HoVal in a back-and-forth contest.

“Teams give out a game ball for the MVP, this is like our game ball, it is Barbie,” said Castillo.

“Natalie [Hester] got it last game and now next game I will get to give it to the next person.” more

FAMILY BUSINESS: Princeton High track standouts Devin Levy, right, and his sister, Naomi, display their javelin form. Last weekend, the Levy siblings excelled as PHS competed in the Mercer County Relays. Devin, a junior, had the second-best throw of any competitor and combined with sophomore Simon Obregon to take second place in the boys division. Naomi, a sophomore, had the top throw in the girls division as she threw 82’10, a personal best for her.

By Justin Feil

Devin Levy and his sister Naomi Levy borrowed javelins last spring for the chance to continue to practice in the offseason.

The extra work and dedication is paying off for the Princeton High siblings this year.

Devin, a junior, had the second-best throw of any competitor and combined with sophomore Simon Obregon to take second place in the boys division at the Mercer County Relays last Saturday at Lawrenceville School.  more

RUF AND TUMBLE: Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse player Shelby Ruf, middle, races between two foes in recent action. Last Wednesday, junior midfielder Ruf tallied three goals and three assists to help PDS defeat the Peddie School 21-11. On Monday, the Panthers topped Somerville 17-10 as Ruf contributed one goal and two assists. PDS, now 7-2, plays at WW/P-North on April 24, hosts Delaware Valley on April 26, and then plays at WW/P-South on April 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Last spring, Shelby Ruf helped shore up the defensive unit for the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse team with her height and athleticism.

Getting moved up to the midfield this season for PDS, junior star Ruf is utilizing those qualities and her defensive acumen to make an impact for the Panther offense.

“It was definitely a change, I know how the defense works,” said Ruf, who plays goalie for the school’s New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public A state champion girls’ soccer team in the fall and is a forward on the basketball squad in the winter. “Just taking that into the attack really helps. I love it, it is so much fun.” more

IRON MIKE: Hun School baseball player Mike Olender heads to first base in a 2023 game. Last Saturday, senior outfielder Olender scored a run and had one RBI to help Hun defeat the Blair Academy 12-0. The Raiders, now 8-2, play at the Hill School (Pa.) on April 24 before hosting the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) for a doubleheader in April 27 and then hosting Poly Prep (N.Y.) on April 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

It was a smooth ride for the Hun School baseball team in the first two weeks of the season as it posted six straight wins to start its 2024 campaign.

But Hun hit some bumps last week as it fell 10-3 to Gloucester Catholic on April 14 and then lost 13-0 to Perkiomen School (Pa.) two days later.

In reflecting on the defeat to Perkiomen, Hun head coach Tom Monfiletto acknowledged that his squad needed to step up against high-level teams. more

COMING THROUGH: Princeton High boys’ lacrosse player Brendan Beatty heads upfield in a game last spring. Junior midfielder and Vermont commit Beatty scored two goals and added an assist as PHS stifled Allentown 6-4 last Thursday. The Tigers, who topped Lawrence High 16-5 on Saturday to improve to 4-1, play at WW/P-South in April 18, host Pennsbury High (Pa.) on April 20, and play at Cherokee on April 23. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As James Reynolds and the defensive unit for the Princeton High boys’ lacrosse team girded for their clash against Allentown last Thursday, they did their homework.

“It started two days before the game; the defensive players all gathered and we watched film,” said senior defender Reynolds. “We spent about two hours just going second by second on every one of their plays and players, running down their dominant hands. The preparation was the key to their entire game. It was all in the prep. It was all knowing who their guys were, calling out and knowing what to do.”

The Tigers had plenty of motivation as the Redbirds have been a thorn in their sides recently. more

FIRST TAKE: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Garrett Mathewson blasts a serve in a 2023 match. Sophomore Mathewson has moved up to first singles this spring and has helped PHS get off to a 4-0 start. In upcoming action, the Tigers are slated to host Allentown on April 18 before starting play in the Mercer County Tournament on April 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The Princeton High boys’ tennis team didn’t waste any time this spring making a statement.

Opening its season with a clash against perennial powerhouse and nemesis WW/P-South on April 5, PHS posted a 5-0 victory, winning four of the five matches in straight sets.

“We had a really great start to the season, it is always difficult to open up with one of your toughest rivals,” said PHS head coach Sarah Hibbert, whose team ended its 2023 season by falling 3-2 to the Pirates in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Central Jersey Group 3 final to end the season with a 14-2 record. “We were supposed to see them on opening day on April 1 and then we got rained out so it was still our opening match, but it was Friday rather than Monday. There were some close ones. There were tiebreaks in a couple of them and both doubles matches were close.” more

By Bill Alden

With a drastically revamped lineup, it is going to be a season of opportunity for the Princeton Day School boys’ tennis team.

“We graduated four seniors from last year and Heyang [Li] has gone to focus on his training,” said PDS head coach Michael Augsberger, whose first singles star Li won his flight at the Mercer County Tournament last year as a sophomore. “He is training in Florida and he is training here. We miss him. It is a chance for the other guys to step up.”

At first singles, Jaylen Peng is stepping up, moving into that spot after playing doubles in 2023. more

SPECIAL DELIVERY: Hun School softball player Jamie Staub delivers a pitch in a 2023 game. Last week, senior Staub fired a no-hitter in a 15-0 win over Peddie in a game that ended after four innings due to the run rule. Hun, which topped Lawrence Hugh 4-0 last Saturday to improve to 5-0, hosts Hightstown on April 18, the Blair Academy on April 20, and Villa Joseph Marie (Pa.) on April 22. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jamie Staub was pumped up to get her first pitching start this spring for the Hun School softball team as it hosted the Peddie School last week.

“It is really exciting, we have such a deep pitching staff,” said Staub. “It is so great having three solid pitchers on the team. Whenever I get my chance, I have lots of fun.”

It turned out to be a very fun day for Staub as she fired a no-hitter with five strikeouts and two walks in a 15-0 win over the Falcons in the April 9 game that ended after four innings due to the run rule. more

BORN TO RUN: Princeton High girls’ lacrosse player Leah Bornstein races upfield last Friday as PHS played at Stuart Country Day School. Sophomore midfielder Bernstein scored two goals to help the Tigers prevail 19-4 over the Tartans. PHS, which fell 17-5 to Lawrenceville last Monday to move to 2-1, plays at WW/P-South on April 10, hosts Princeton Day School on April 12, and plays at Montgomery on April 13. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Leah Bornstein may be one of the shortest players on the field, but she is making a big impact for the Princeton High girls’ lacrosse team this spring.

Emerging as a spark in the midfield, Bornstein tallied five goals as PHS opened the season by topping WW/P-North 23-8 on April 1 and then chipped in two goals as the Tigers defeated Stuart Country Day School 19-4 last Friday. more

By Bill Alden

Undergoing a youth movement last spring, the Princeton Day School baseball team took its lumps as it went 1-22.

While PDS head coach Eric Schnepf would have liked to see his squad get more wins, he is not about to scrap the foundation he put in place during his debut season at the helm of the program.

“We were starting five or six underclassmen,” said Schnepf. “So just watching them become a little more bigger, faster, stronger with a little more time around us and some of the strategies we are looking to implement, it is natural that you start to see an uptick in execution. A lot of it is just continuing to perfect the process. You look at last year, the kids had gone through a couple of coaches. Hopefully we are adding a little bit of stability. They know what to expect, they know what is going to be asked of them. We are not hammering the panic button and changing everything up.” more

FAST START: Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse player Tessa Caputo cradles the ball in a game last season. Senior star and Fairfield University commit Caputo will be depended on to trigger the PDS offense this season. The Panthers, who have a new head coach in former Bucknell standout Lucia Marcozzi, edged Robbinsville 11-10 last Monday to improve to 3-0. In upcoming action, the Panthers play at Princeton High on April 12 and then host Hopewell Valley on April 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As Lucia Marcozzi has taken the helm of the Princeton Day School girls’ lacrosse team this spring, she is urging her players to take matters into their hands.

Having starred for the Bucknell women’s lacrosse program where she was a two-time All-Patriot League defender and then going on to coach high-level girls’ club lacrosse, Marcozzi is well-versed in the recent evolution of the game. more