What does it take to build and sustain a successful high school tennis program? While depth throughout the lineup is undoubtedly a great advantage, having gifted singles players at the top of that lineup certainly doesn’t hurt.
Who are the teams and players in the Daily Record area that make up the best one-two punch at the top of the lineups?
The obvious place to begin is with three-time defending Morris County Tournament champion Chatham, which boasts senior Scarlett Blydenburgh, the three-time defending MCT first singles champion, leading the way. She is supported at second singles by sophomore Seden Agar, who posted a 15-2 record and won the MCT second singles title as a freshman a year ago.
With six of seven starters returning, the Cougars are the favorite to capture their fourth straight MCT team championship. They will be tested early, however, at the Millburn Challenge on Sept. 10.
But there are other a couple of other teams in Morris County that should also get their jump-start from the top of their lineups.
Morristown has talented senior captains Stefanie Elling and Meghan Acampora, both of whom advanced to the third round of the NJSIAA singles tournament last fall. Elling finished 18-6 and was an MCT first singles semifinalist, while Acampora posted a 20-4 record and lost in the MCT second singles final to Agar.
The Colonials and Cougars meet twice during the regular season, with the first showdown coming on Sept. 13 at Chatham.
“I’m looking forward to playing both of them this season,” Acampora said. “Scarlett and I are good friends and it’s always a competitive match, especially in last year’s state singles tournament."
Elling, who transferred from Mendham following her freshman year, will attempt to get back in the swing of things after suffering a torn meniscus and sprained ACL in a non-tennis injury in May, which kept her on crutches and off the court for 6½ weeks.
“I’m just grateful that I can play tennis at all,” Elling said. “While continuing my recovery, I’m going to give it my all since I really have nothing to lose. Being away from the game for over three months at peak college recruiting season was really tough but caused me to be more hungry to compete again and surpass my previous accomplishments as a player. The group state title is definitely something I am striving for as well as the individual state title.”
Morristown will get an early test when it competes in the Livingston September Smash Invitational on Sept. 17 along with J.P. Stevens, Ridgewood, and the host Lancers. Elling and Acampora are also looking forward to leading the Colonials into the MCT on Sept. 24-25, when they hope to be among a handful of teams to challenge Chatham.
“We have a very good chance to be in the running for the Morris County Tournament title,” Acampora said. “We have five returning varsity players and two new varsity members who will add great depth to our lineup. As captains, Stef and I will work together to make the team even better than previous years. In my opinion, this is the best team that Morristown has had in my four years on the team.”
Another singles duo to watch this season is Kinnelon’s one-two punch of sophomore Britany Lau at first and junior Agatha Malinowski at second singles. According to Kinnelon head coach Jon Cataldi, both singles standouts were “stronger than ever” in preseason practices and challenge matches.
Lau burst onto the Morris County tennis scene in a big way as a freshman last season, advancing to the MCT first singles final, where she fell in two tight sets to Blydenburgh. Her only other loss came in NJSIAA singles tournament round of 16.
Malinowski only lost three matches last season at second singles and advanced to the second round of the NJSIAA singles tournament.