ON HIS TOES: Princeton High boys’ tennis player Jack Ling hits a forehand last Monday in the state Group 3 semifinals at Mercer County Park. Freshman star Ling prevailed in his match at second singles, but PHS ended up falling 3-2 to Chatham to end the spring with a 17-1 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Jack Ling displayed a composure beyond his years as he battled at second singles for the Princeton High boys’ tennis team when it faced Chatham in the state Group 3 semifinals last Monday.

With the temperatures soaring into the 90s at the Mercer County Park complex, things looked bleak for freshman star Ling. After winning the first set 7-5 against Chatham’s Dennis Isak, Ling dropped the second set 6-4 and trailed 4-2 in the decisive 10-point super tie-break.

Unfazed, Ling kept in the moment. “I had given up three games in a row in the second set,” said Ling.

“I don’t really have much to lose now. I wasn’t really thinking at that point, I was just playing one point at a time.”

Winning eight of the next 10 points, Ling won the tiebreaker 10-6 and took the match, making the team score 2-2.

“I just put a string of points together, I got the momentum going,” said Ling. “I had my team cheering me so that really helped too. I had to finish the match out.”

The semi came down to third singles and PHS freshman Melvin Huang won the first set and took a 6-5 lead in the second but started having leg problems due to the heat. The set went to a tiebreaker and Huang’s leg gave way and he had to retire as the Tigers fell 3-2.

While the defeat was disappointing, Ling was proud of the fortitude that Huang displayed as he gamely tried to finish his match. 

“Melvin fought really, really hard,” said Ling. “He was playing for three and a half hours. It was unbelievable how much he fought. It is crazy.”

Developing bonds with his teammate this spring, Ling enjoyed fighting for the team.

“I like the team environment; it is different from tournaments that I usually play,” said Ling. “We are a great team. You get the support of your team, you are not alone out there.

PHS head coach Sarah Hibbert credited her players with rising to the occasion in the pressure-packed environment of the state semis.

“They had a fantastic showing today,” said Hibbert, whose team ended the spring with a 17-1 record, cruising to both the Central Jersey sectional and Colonial Valley Conference titles along the way.

“Chatham was ranked higher than us in the state and we knew it was going to be a really tough match. I was really proud of how everyone fought.”

Although the first doubles team of the Parker twins, Dylan and Ethan, along with the second doubles pair of Roberto Haubold and Eric Zhu each lost in straight sets, they showed toughness.

“The doubles didn’t start out great in the first set but they were much more competitive in the second set,” said Hibbert.

“If they had started with the level of play they had in the second set, I think we would have had a real good shot.”

In Hibbert’s view, Ling demonstrated a maturity and competitive spirit in pulling out his match.

“Being a freshman and being able to have that poise to be able to do that in a three-set tiebreak when the match is on the line, he handled the situation with great poise,” said Hibbert.

“You can’t tell whether he is winning or losing from looking at him, For a freshman, it is really impressive level of play.”

Sophomore Jonathan Gu looked impressive in defeating Pedro Cattaruzzi 6-4, 6-2 at first singles.

“Jonathan was able to bring his game back which was good after he has been having some issues with his wrist,” said Hibbert. “It was nice for him to be able to come back and play well today.”

Huang played his heart out before succumbing to the heat and pain.

“Melvin gave such a fight, he was hanging in there,” added Hibbert.

“It was a grueling, brutal match They have played for three and half hours on a 95 degree day with humidity. It is a disappointing way to lose the match, considering we were so close. We had shots at it.”

With a young team coming so close to making a state final, Hibbert is hopeful that the loss to Chatham will serve as an impetus for future success.

“It is not like you have a team of all seniors who have finally done it and nobody remembers it the next year,” said Hibbert.

“This whole group will remember it. We know we weren’t outclassed or blown off the court. Unfortunately it came down to a war of attrition and unfortunately the body just gave out at the end. Melvin fought as hard as he could and he played some great tennis. He stayed in that; I think if he could have walked, he could have won.”

The two seniors in the lineup, the Parker twins, have displayed class throughout their careers.

“They have been a steady position for us,” said Hibbert. “We can always count on that team out there with their leadership as well and their camaraderie.”

Ling, for his part, believes that PHS will be a special team going forward.

“We have a lot of good players, we have a bright future,” said Ling.

“We can make it far, we just keep getting better and better. We can do some good things.”