Photo 1: The West Orange High School girls’ tennis team gathers together after winning the Essex County Tournament consolation championship on Sept. 23. From left, head coach Jeff Mazurek, Noor Qureshi, Siena Pizzano, Kaia Baker, Nneka Arinzeh, Sophia Ruggiero, Madison Oliver, Moesha Isidor, and Funmi Oshodi
Photo 2: Head Coach Jeff Mazurek with Asst. Coach Mike Marini and team.
Photo 3: Mazurek and Marini with varsity Nneki Arinzeh, Noor Quresh, Kaia Baker, Moesha Isidor, Sophia Ruggiero, Madison Oliver, Funmi Oshodi, and Siena Pizzano.
WEST ORANGE, NJ – The West Orange High School girls’ tennis team defeated Nutley, 5-0, and Montclair, 3-2, to be named 2017 Essex County Tournament consolation champions on Sept. 23.
After losing 4-1 to Super Essex Conference-American Division mainstay West Essex on Sept. 18, the Mountaineers defeated Bloomfield, 5-0, to advance in the consolation tournament.
“Freshman Nneka Arinzeh was undefeated throughout the tournament at first singles and has been invited to compete in the Essex County Singles Tournament on Sept. 24 to cement her as one of the top four players in Essex County,” said head coach Jeff Mazurek.
With last year’s Colonial Division championship, the Mountaineers have worked to find their footing in the Liberty Division, facing more formidable opponents like West Essex and Newark Academy. Their recent record is 3-4.
“The girls worked extremely hard through the entire summer and have made so much progress in the past few months. This is by far the most talented team we have had in my time as the head coach,” said Mazurek.
Assistant coach Mike Marini designed an intensive training program that the entire team participated in.
“We held a five-week, 15 session camp that required the girls to complete conditioning intervals like 300-yard shuttles and 220 yard sprints,” said Marini, who is also a personal trainer. “All 27 team members passed.”
In addition to Arinzeh, Mazurek cited several other players who he felt would be contributors this season.
“Sophia Ruggiero, second singles player, is also a freshman that we are excited to see compete this season, and returning varsity players Funmi Oshodi (third singles), Siena Pizzano and Kaia Baker (first doubles), Noor Qureshi and Olivia Baker, another freshman, also at second doubles,” Mazurek continued. “It’s definitely a challenge moving up to the Liberty Division and competing with some of the best teams in New Jersey, but I am confident in the girls and their ability.”
The Mountaineers take on Glen Ridge at home on Sept. 25 beginning at 4 p.m.
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