NUTLEY, NJ – The Nutley High School girls’ varsity tennis team has enjoyed a great start to the season.
The Raiders, under head coach Valerie Martin, started the season 5-0, beating Cedar Grove, West Orange, and Orange and defeating Belleville twice.
They brought the 5-0 mark into the Essex County Tournament on Sept. 21 at the Althea Gibson Center at Branch Brook Park in Newark on Sept. 21.
In the first round, the 11th-seeded Raiders lost to sixth-seeded Verona, 5-0. In the consolation quarterfinals later in the day, NHS beat West Orange, 3-2.
With the score tied 2-2 against West Orange, sophomore second singles player Priyanka Jain prevailed in three sets, winnng the third set in a super tiebreaker, 10-8, to clinch the victory.
For the Raiders, it was sweet to beat Super Essex Conference-Colonial Division foe West Orange for the second time this year.
The Raiders then defeated Bloomfield, Sept. 22, to improve to a 7-1 record.
NHS was scheduled to face Montclair in the consolation semifinals on Sept. 24 at the Althea Gibson Center. Mount St. Dominic and Caldwell were set to play in the other consolation semifinal. The consolation final was scheduled for later that day.
Jain’s twin sister, Nikhita Jain, plays second singles.
Junior Gracie Ahrens is the first singles player.
The singles players have been impressive.
“The singles are playing flawlessly,” said Martin, noting Ahrens and Nikhita Jain were only letting up two to three games per match. “They are beating their opponents easily. The singles’ records are the same as the team, 7-1.”
Priyanka Jain moved up from second doubles last year to second singles.
The doubles teams are making nice progress. Senior Mary Laney, who played second doubles last year, teams with junior Sairy Somnay at first doubles. Freshman Alexandra Protter and sophomore Alexandra Bongo team at second doubles.
The Raiders are looking to continue their success this season.
“We’re doing really, really well,” said Martin. “We’re doing good so far.”
About the Author
